So the current hiring process goes like this:

1. filter by candidates' CVs / resumes / portfolios / sample work
2. send assignment to filtered candidate / filter by that assignment
3. do interview(s) on the filtered candidates

However, there's one case in which one candidate who uploaded assignment as sample work on step 1, when we didn't even send the assignment to the candidate. (the candidates receive the assignment on step 2. Maybe the candidate has a very good luck?)

Now, my team is arguing on 2 choices:

1. send email to the said candidate: "is it ok to use your sample work as your assignment, or do you want to edit your assignment?"
2. proceed with the uploaded assignment, and tell the candidate that we're going to do so.

I'm actually on choice 2, because:

1. choice 1 can give a hint to the candidate: "your assignment needs more work".
2. the candidate is already willing to be judged by the sample work. it's meaningless to ask for it again.
3. asking for again may hint that the assignment isn't good enough. But that gives this candidate one more chance for the assignment, while other candidates don't get this chance.

Currently, we're looking for a QA position, and the assignment is about how detailed the candidate is / can the candidate organize cleanly on the matters.

What do you think will be the fairest thing to do?