It depends on the type of class. History, English and Humanistic Studies papers tend to be approximately eight pages long, in my experience. The only science papers I have had to write were lab reports and length didn't matter in those. As long as you described the experiment and the results accurately, you got full points. Aside from text book readings, homework often depends on the teachers. Aside from chemistry lab reports and readings, I haven't had homework in two years. Yet my roommate stays up late each night translating things for his German classes. Tests also vary on class and teachers. Some are all multiple choice, others are all short answer/essay questions. Your experience in college can vary greatly from anyone else attending the same school.