ExamAI Review 2025: Complete Guide to AI-Powered Exam Creation and Grading Platform
Last updated: December 2025
What is ExamAI?
ExamAI (examai.ai) is an AI-powered assessment platform designed specifically for professors and educators to streamline exam creation, grading, and student feedback. Founded by Joaquin Carretero Martinez, a former Apple and Meta software engineer, ExamAI emerged from the Y Combinator Summer 2025 (YC S25) batch and has quickly gained traction in higher education.
The platform aims to solve one of education's most time-consuming challenges: grading. By leveraging AI to automate exam generation and assessment, ExamAI promises to give educators more time for teaching while providing students with faster, more detailed feedback.
Company Background
Founder: Joaquin Carretero Martinez
- Former Software Engineer at Apple
- Ex-Meta engineer
- Full-stack developer with AR/VR and AI expertise
- Based in San Francisco, CA
Funding & Support:
- $1.6 million in seed funding
- $150,000 in credits from Microsoft
- $350,000 in credits from Nvidia
- Y Combinator Summer 2025 (YC S25) participant
Team: 6 engineers and 4 designers, plus an 8-person business team
User Base: 2,000+ educators (and growing rapidly)
Key Features
AI-Powered Exam Creation
ExamAI can generate exams from multiple sources:
- Class notes: Upload lecture notes and the AI creates relevant questions
- PDFs: Convert textbook chapters or documents into exam questions
- Old tests: Repurpose previous exams with new question variations
- General knowledge: Generate questions on any topic from the AI's knowledge base
The system supports various question types including multiple-choice, open-ended, short answer, and rubric-based assessments.
Instant AI Grading
The core value proposition is speed:
- Immediate scores: Students receive grades within seconds of submission
- Consistent evaluation: AI applies the same rubric criteria to every submission
- Fair assessment: Eliminates human bias and grading fatigue
- Handwritten support: Scan and upload paper-based exams for AI grading
AI-Generated Feedback
Beyond simple scores, ExamAI provides:
- Detailed feedback on every question
- Explanation of correct answers
- Identification of areas for improvement
- Personalized learning recommendations
Analytics Dashboard
Comprehensive insights for educators:
- Student performance tracking
- Class-wide trends and patterns
- Question difficulty analysis
- Common mistake identification
- Progress monitoring over time
LMS Integration
Seamless workflow with existing systems:
- Canvas: Direct grade export currently supported
- Blackboard Learn: Coming soon
- CSV Export: Universal compatibility for any gradebook
ExamAI accommodates various teaching styles:
- Digital exams: Online assessments students take directly
- Paper-based exams: Scan and upload handwritten work
- Homework assignments: Regular assessment grading
- Quizzes: Quick formative assessments
How ExamAI Works
For Educators
- Create an Exam: Upload your materials (notes, PDFs, or previous tests) or describe the topic
- Customize Questions: Select question types, difficulty levels, and rubric criteria
- Distribute: Share digitally or print for in-class use
- Collect Submissions: Students complete online or scan paper submissions
- Review AI Grades: Verify and approve AI-generated scores
- Export: Push grades to your LMS or download as CSV
For Students
- Take the Exam: Complete assessment online or on paper
- Submit Work: Upload digital files or scan handwritten responses
- Receive Instant Feedback: Get scores and detailed feedback immediately
- Review and Learn: Understand mistakes with AI-generated explanations
Pricing
ExamAI operates on a subscription model. While specific pricing tiers are not publicly disclosed on the website, the platform appears to offer:
- Free Trial: Limited access to test the platform
- Individual Plan: For single educators
- Institutional Plans: Custom pricing for universities and schools
Note: Contact ExamAI directly for current pricing details at their website.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✓ Massive Time Savings: Eliminate hours of manual grading
✓ Instant Student Feedback: Students learn from mistakes immediately
✓ Consistent Grading: AI applies rubrics uniformly across all submissions
✓ Flexible Input: Works with digital and handwritten exams
✓ LMS Integration: Canvas support with more integrations coming
✓ Y Combinator Backing: Strong investor confidence and startup resources
✓ Experienced Team: Former Apple/Meta engineers ensuring quality development
✓ Analytics Insights: Data-driven understanding of student performance
✓ Reduces Bias: Eliminates unconscious grading bias
✓ FERPA/GDPR Compliance: Designed with student data privacy in mind
Cons
✗ Newer Platform: Less established than competitors like Gradescope
✗ Limited LMS Support: Currently only Canvas (more coming soon)
✗ AI Limitations: Complex or nuanced answers may require human review
✗ Internet Dependent: Requires stable connection for all features
✗ Learning Curve: Initial setup time for creating rubrics and exam templates
✗ Pricing Transparency: No public pricing information available
✗ Handwriting Recognition: Quality may vary with messy handwriting
ExamAI vs Competitors
ExamAI vs Gradescope
| Feature | ExamAI | Gradescope |
|---|
| Ownership | Independent startup (YC) | Turnitin (established) |
| AI Grading | Yes, full automation | AI-assisted grouping |
| Exam Generation | Yes, from any materials | No (grading only) |
| Handwritten Support | Yes | Yes |
| Code Autograder | In development | Yes (mature) |
| Pricing | Contact for details | $1-3/student/course |
| LMS Integration | Canvas (more coming) | Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, etc. |
| Plagiarism Detection | No | Yes (via Turnitin) |
Best for: Choose ExamAI for AI-powered exam creation and fully automated grading. Choose Gradescope for mature code autograding and Turnitin plagiarism integration.
ExamAI vs GradeWiz
| Feature | ExamAI | GradeWiz |
|---|
| Y Combinator | YC S25 | YC W25 |
| Primary Focus | Full exam lifecycle | Grading assistant |
| Exam Creation | Yes | No |
| Institutional Use | Yes | Pilot phase |
| Computer Vision | Yes | Yes |
Best for: Choose ExamAI for end-to-end exam management. Choose GradeWiz if focused purely on grading existing exams.
ExamAI vs Examino
| Feature | ExamAI | Examino |
|---|
| Region Focus | US/Global | Europe (French origin) |
| Mobile Scanning | Yes | Yes (smartphone app) |
| Exam Generation | Yes | No |
| Subject Focus | All subjects | All subjects |
| Pricing | Contact for details | Free trial + subscription |
Best for: Choose ExamAI for US universities with LMS integration needs. Choose Examino for European educators wanting mobile-first scanning.
ExamAI vs CoGrader
| Feature | ExamAI | CoGrader |
|---|
| Focus | Full assessment platform | Writing/essay grading |
| Exam Creation | Yes | No |
| Question Types | All types | Essays/written work |
| Language Support | English | Multiple languages |
| Teacher Control | AI suggests, teacher approves | AI suggests, teacher approves |
Best for: Choose ExamAI for complete exam automation. Choose CoGrader for specialized essay grading.
Use Cases
Large Lecture Courses
With hundreds of students, manual grading becomes impossible. ExamAI enables professors to:
- Give more frequent assessments without increasing workload
- Provide same-day feedback even for large classes
- Maintain consistent grading standards across all submissions
STEM Courses
Math, physics, and engineering exams with complex problem-solving:
- AI evaluates step-by-step solutions
- Partial credit automatically applied based on rubric
- Formulas and equations properly recognized
Humanities Courses
Essay and short-answer assessments:
- AI analyzes argument quality and structure
- Checks for key concepts and evidence
- Provides detailed feedback on writing
Professional Development
Corporate training and certification:
- Standardized assessments across locations
- Instant certification verification
- Performance tracking for compliance
Who Should Use ExamAI?
Ideal Users
University Professors: Managing large courses with limited TA support
Community College Instructors: Teaching high course loads with grading bottlenecks
High School Teachers: Wanting to give more feedback with less time
Educational Institutions: Seeking to standardize grading across departments
Corporate Trainers: Needing scalable assessment for employee training
Not Ideal For
Low-Tech Environments: Requires digital workflow adoption
Highly Subjective Assessments: Creative writing or art evaluation
Small Tutorial Settings: Where personal feedback is the primary value
Budget-Constrained Users: Pricing may be prohibitive for individual use
Implementation Tips
- Start Small: Begin with one course before scaling
- Build Quality Rubrics: AI grading is only as good as your criteria
- Train Students: Explain AI grading to set appropriate expectations
- Review AI Output: Always spot-check AI grades, especially initially
- Leverage Analytics: Use data to identify struggling students early
- Iterate on Exams: Use question analytics to improve future assessments
- Integrate with LMS: Set up Canvas sync for seamless grade management
Security and Compliance
ExamAI addresses key concerns:
Data Privacy:
- FERPA compliance for US educational institutions
- GDPR compliance for European users
- Student data encryption in transit and at rest
Academic Integrity:
- Secure exam distribution
- Submission verification
- Audit trails for all grading actions
Future Roadmap
Based on company announcements:
- More LMS Integrations: Blackboard Learn and others coming soon
- Enhanced AI Models: Improved grading accuracy
- Mobile Applications: Native apps for iOS and Android
- Advanced Analytics: Predictive student success tools
- API Access: Custom integrations for institutions
Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
ExamAI represents a new generation of AI-powered educational tools that go beyond simple automation. By combining exam creation with instant AI grading and analytics, the platform offers a compelling value proposition for time-strapped educators.
The Y Combinator backing and experienced team (ex-Apple, ex-Meta) inspire confidence in the platform's technical quality and future development. The $1.6M seed funding suggests strong investor belief in the product's potential.
However, as a newer entrant competing against established players like Gradescope, ExamAI still needs to prove its reliability at scale and expand its LMS integration ecosystem. The lack of transparent pricing also makes it difficult for educators to evaluate without direct contact.
Recommended for: Professors and institutions seeking cutting-edge AI grading with exam generation capabilities who are willing to adopt newer technology.
Not recommended for: Educators who need mature code autograding, extensive LMS integrations, or prefer established platforms with proven track records.
| Category | Rating |
|---|
| AI Grading Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Exam Creation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ease of Use | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| LMS Integration | ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) |
| Value Proposition | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Innovation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall | ★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
FAQ
Is ExamAI free? ExamAI offers a free trial, but full access requires a subscription. Contact the company for pricing details.
Does ExamAI work with handwritten exams? Yes. You can scan paper-based exams and upload them for AI grading, though legibility affects accuracy.
Can ExamAI grade code/programming assignments? Code autograding is in development. Currently, the platform focuses on written assessments.
Does ExamAI integrate with Canvas? Yes, Canvas integration is available for direct grade export. More LMS integrations are coming.
Is ExamAI secure for student data? ExamAI is designed with FERPA and GDPR compliance in mind. Student data is encrypted and protected.
How accurate is AI grading? Accuracy depends on rubric quality. For well-defined criteria, AI grading matches human graders. Complex or subjective responses may need human review.
Can I review AI grades before releasing them? Yes. Educators always have final approval over grades before students see them.
Does ExamAI detect plagiarism? Currently, no. For plagiarism detection, you would need to integrate with Turnitin or similar services.
What subjects does ExamAI support? ExamAI works across all subjects—STEM, humanities, social sciences, and professional courses.
Is ExamAI part of Y Combinator? Yes, ExamAI participated in Y Combinator Summer 2025 (YC S25).
Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes. Features and pricing may change. Always verify current information on the official ExamAI website (examai.ai). Contact the company directly for institutional pricing and demo requests.