diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
index 5b0e4a7b0fd1..77f76dec9bf8 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
@@ -2088,10 +2088,9 @@ def post(self, request, course_id):  # lint-amnesty, pylint: disable=missing-fun
             - score a value
         unique_student_identifier student username or email.
         """
-
         course_key = CourseKey.from_string(course_id)
-
         serializer_data = self.serializer_class(data=request.data)
+
         if not serializer_data.is_valid():
             return HttpResponseBadRequest(reason=serializer_data.errors)
 
@@ -2120,6 +2119,7 @@ def post(self, request, course_id):  # lint-amnesty, pylint: disable=missing-fun
             'problem_to_reset': problem_to_reset,
             'student': student_identifier
         }
+
         try:
             task_api.submit_override_score(
                 request,
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/serializer.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/serializer.py
index da422a051b57..b48f6de3136b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/serializer.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/serializer.py
@@ -237,6 +237,6 @@ class ProblemSerializer(UniqueStudentIdentifierSerializer):
             'blank': _("Problem URL name cannot be blank."),
         }
     )
-    score = serializers.BooleanField(
-        help_text=_("new score value"),
+    score = serializers.CharField(
+        help_text="Score must be a valid number or decimal, e.g., 1.00"
     )