The competition between artificial intelligence systems has intensified as recent benchmarks reveal that ChatGPT significantly outperforms Gemini in critical areas of reasoning and problem-solving. This analysis focuses on three major benchmarks where ChatGPT has demonstrated superior performance, showcasing the evolving capabilities of AI technologies.
AI Benchmark Comparisons Reveal Distinct Advantages
In an ever-growing landscape of AI products, discerning the strengths of different systems can be challenging. As of early January 2025, many analysts noted fluctuations in the perceived capabilities of leading AI models. For instance, in December 2025, speculation arose regarding OpenAI‘s position in the AI arms race. However, the release of ChatGPT-5.2 quickly shifted the narrative, with the model regaining its place at the forefront of AI technology.
Despite the advancements in both ChatGPT and Gemini, comparing their performances directly can be misleading. Outputs from large language models (LLMs) are inherently stochastic, meaning the same prompt can yield varying responses. Consequently, preferences often reduce to individual user experience rather than objective superiority. To provide a clearer picture, this article examines three benchmarks focused on reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking.
ChatGPT Leads in Advanced Reasoning Tasks
The first benchmark analyzed is the GPQA Diamond, which evaluates PhD-level reasoning in complex scientific subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology. This benchmark, designed to test advanced understanding, features questions that do not have straightforward answers and require intricate reasoning. According to the results, ChatGPT-5.2 scored 92.4%, slightly ahead of Gemini 3 Pro, which achieved 91.9%. In comparison, a typical PhD graduate would be expected to score around 65%, while the average non-expert human scores around 34%.
Another critical benchmark is the SWE-Bench Pro (Private Dataset), which assesses an AI’s ability to resolve real-world software engineering challenges derived from GitHub. This specific variant is known for its difficulty, with ChatGPT-5.2 resolving approximately 24% of the issues, while Gemini managed to resolve about 18%. Although these percentages may seem modest, they reflect the complexity of the tasks, with human engineers typically achieving a success rate of 100% on the same challenges.
ChatGPT Excels in Abstract Reasoning
The final benchmark discussed is the ARC-AGI-2, which examines an AI’s capacity for abstract reasoning. This updated test, launched in March 2025, challenges AI systems to identify patterns and apply them to new scenarios. ChatGPT-5.2 Pro scored 54.2%, while various versions of Gemini scored lower, with Gemini 3 Pro achieving only 31.1%. This suggests that ChatGPT not only surpasses Gemini in this regard but also maintains a competitive edge over other AI models in the market.
The rapid evolution of AI benchmarks means that results can change swiftly with new updates and releases. The benchmarks selected for this article offer a representative overview of the capabilities of these systems. While Gemini has shown strengths in other areas, such as the SWE-Bench Bash Only and Humanity’s Last Exam, the focus here remains on the domains where ChatGPT excels.
In summary, as of January 2025, ChatGPT positions itself as a leader in critical AI skills, particularly in advanced reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking. The competition between these AI giants is ongoing, and future developments could alter the landscape once again.
