My daughter just started college over the summer, she noted the same thing, she was paired up with four others and she is taking the lead because she doesn’t want to get anything less than an A. She had to change some of their answers because they were wrong.
This “working in groups” in college is so bogus. I don’t ever remember doing that when I was in college (therefore it MUST be bogus (;>} Sounds more like socialism and less like the opportunity for individual pursuit of happiness to me.
I believe this is trending now due to the high number of not-ready-for-prime-time college students that are arriving on campuses. The top-flight students are being used to rescue as many of those not up to the task so that college graduation rates don’t tank (the way they are doing in secondary schools.)