Exam Scanning

ITS provides a paper-based exam scanning service through Gradescope. This service is available to all UConn instructors.

The Gradescope Bubble Sheet service scores up to five different versions of multiple-choice exams that can have up to 200 questions. Student exams are scored against an answer key provided by the instructor. Instructors may scan the tests using a scanner in their office, or using the high-speed scanner provided on level 1 of Homer Babbidge Library.

At the conclusion of the Spring 2025 semester, ITS retired the Scantron exam scanning service. Instructors are encouraged to use Gradescope for paper-based multiple choice exams. Old bubble sheets used with Scantron are not supported.

Instructors, download the exam template here → 200-question template

Required materials

Gradescope does not require the purchase of custom exam sheets. Here’s what you need to get started:

Printer and 8.5x11” paper to print the free exam templates. Legacy bubble sheets for Scantron are not supported.
Scanner to scan the exam submissions to email or directly to a computer. Most department-owned Xerox machines have this functionality.
- ITS provides a self-service high-speed scanner in Homer Babbidge Library. ITS will provide hands-on support during business hours.

Get started

To begin administering paper exams through Gradescope, use the following articles to guide your process. If you want assistance getting started, please reach out to techsupport@uconn.edu. We can help you through the creation and grading of your exam, as well as answer any questions you have about the service.

Comparison to Scantron

Gradescope was chosen as the new solution for bubble sheets due to its increased convenience for instructors and its modern feature set. To see a comparison of features between the legacy and modern systems, expand the table below.

	Scantron (old)	Gradescope (new)

	Scantron (old)	Gradescope (new)
1-200 question paper exams	100 questions per side of exam sheet	100 questions per side of exam sheet
Can be scanned at any scanner	Must use specific scanner available only at Storrs and Hartford	Any departmental scanner with multi-page scanning is supported. ITS will also provide a high-speed scanner in Storrs.
Automatic HuskyCT integration	Requires manual results upload	Submissions are graded and organized directly in the Gradescope module in HuskyCT
Automatic grading	Submissions are graded at the time of scanning according to a paper answer key	Gradescope online services grade all submissions according to an answer key that you create
Retroactively update answer keys	Submissions must be re-scanned and processed with a new paper answer key	Answer keys can be updated and grade changes are reflected in a few clicks
Free exam sheet template	Must be purchased and shipped from vendor	Free 8.5x11” PDF download
Exam customization	Only supports multiple versions	Multiple versions, custom point distributions, multiple correct answers supported

Alternatives to using Gradescope

Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) Testing: For faculty looking to move away from paper exams, online testing is available through HuskyCT. Online testing can be offered in the classroom or as an at-home assessment. For faculty wishing to administer online testing in the classroom (BYOD testing), UConn’s ITS has verified that all lecture classrooms have Wi-Fi capabilities sufficient to support this testing. Any classroom listed in UConn’s classroom directory (classrooms.uconn.edu/classroom-directory/) as “fixed-auditorium” has been verified.
The Respondus LockDown Browser: LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment when used for taking a test in HuskyCT. When taking a test using LockDown Browser, students are unable to print, copy, go to other websites, access other applications, or close a test until it is submitted for grading.