Choose Gradescope Homework vs Exam/Quiz

Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting | Next Steps |

Introduction

Gradescope offers two similar assignment types: Homework/Problem Set and Exam/Quiz—that often look interchangeable but are optimized for different workflows. Use this guide to pick the right one based on how students will produce and submit their work, whether every student has the same page layout, and whether you want to predefine answer regions. Choosing the correct type up front streamlines submissions, grading, and regrade requests. This article focuses only on deciding between these two types (not Programming, Online Assignment, or Bubble Sheet).

Prerequisites

• Instructor access to a Gradescope course

• A clear idea of how students will complete and submit their work (same template vs. freeform pages, self-upload vs. instructor-collected scans)

Decide between Homework/Problem Set and Exam/Quiz

To choose the best assignment type, do the following:

1. Determine whether all students will write on the same template.

   • If every student’s pages have an identical layout (e.g., a distributed exam with numbered boxes or fixed space per question), use Exam/Quiz.

   • If students work on blank paper or otherwise freeform pages where layouts vary, use Homework/Problem Set.

2. Decide who is uploading scans.

   • If you will collect papers and scan/upload in bulk, Exam/Quiz works best because you can define a single template and use roster/matching tools.

   • If students will upload their own PDFs or images, both types work, but Homework/Problem Set is better because students mark which pages correspond to each question.

3. Consider whether you want predefined answer regions.

   • Exam/Quiz lets you define regions on the template per question. This speeds grading by jumping to the same location for each student.

   • Homework/Problem Set relies on students indicating page numbers for each question; there are no fixed on-page regions.

4. Think about mixed or multi-question pages.

   • If students may place solutions to multiple questions on the same page or split one question across pages, Homework/Problem Set handles this naturally via “select pages for Question X.”

   • Exam/Quiz is best when each question’s response lives in predictable areas.

5. Consider common pain points and pick the type that reduces them.

   • Worried students won’t follow a template or might rearrange pages? Choose Homework/Problem Set.

   • Want consistent navigation during grading (every submission looks the same), or plan to scan stacks yourself? Choose Exam/Quiz.

6. Create the assignment using the chosen type:

   • From your course, select Create Assignment and choose Homework/Problem Set if students’ layouts vary and they will indicate pages per question.

   • From your course, select Create Assignment and choose Exam/Quiz if all students use the same template and you want predefined regions.

After completing these steps, you’ll have selected the assignment type that best matches your submission and grading workflow, reducing submission errors and speeding up grading.

Troubleshooting

• Chose the wrong type: Gradescope does not convert types. Recreate the assignment with the correct type and copy over your questions/rubrics.
• Students didn’t mark pages (Homework/Problem Set): Ask them to resubmit and map pages to each question before submitting.
• “Template mismatch” or misaligned answers (Exam/Quiz): Ensure students used the provided template, scanned in order, and did not crop/rotate pages. Re-scan at a consistent resolution if needed.
• Mixed workflows (some freeform, some templated): Prefer Homework/Problem Set for flexibility, or standardize on a template and use Exam/Quiz consistently.

Next Steps (Optional)