How to Get Highest Marks in IGNOU Assignments?

To get first class marks in IGNOU assignments, one has to think beyond writing long answers and beautiful language because evaluators assess the submission based on right understanding, relevance, organisation, originality, and conformity as per the question printed on the assignment booklet.

Scoring 90% in IGNOU assignment is not a guarantee, and one has to address the queries accurately, and the response should meet the expectations of the evaluators.

How to Get Highest Marks in IGNOU Assignments

Know the IGNOU Assignment Evaluation Process

It is necessary that students understand the evaluation process of the assignment as it is a part of their continuous assessment and contributes 30 per cent marks in some courses.

Some assignment booklets are of hundred marks, and they are part of the overall assessment. An evaluator primarily focuses on the following:

  • Understanding of the question
  • Accuracy of the concepts presented
  • Relevance of the answers provided
  • Organization of the contents
  • Number and relevance of examples
  • Original explanation and ideas
  • Adherence to word limit
  • Neatness and presentation
  • Completion of all the questions

Neatness and presentation play a vital role in marking but cannot compensate for the poor or incorrect answers.

Download the Right Assignment First

A strategic way to tackle IGNOU assignment is to start with downloading the correct set of question papers. Before downloading, one has to confirm the following:

  • Programme Code
  • Course Code
  • Admission Session
  • Year & Semester
  • Medium
  • Validity
  • Submission cycle

It is recommended to search by the programme/course code, and one has to ensure that the assignment is valid to avoid any issues while submission.

Read Assignment Preparation Instructions Carefully

The preparation instructions can vary from programme to programme, and one has to go through them carefully. For instance, some assignment booklets mention ‘Prepare assignment on A4 sheets’ while others say ‘Prepare assignment on foolscap paper’. Some assignment booklets suggest to write ‘on both sides’ while others can mention different instructions. One has to read the first pages of the assignment booklet to understand the following:

  • The paper size
  • Front page description
  • Handwriting requirements
  • Submission guidelines
  • Word limit (if any)
  • Assignment weightage
  • Last date of submission
  • Any other specific instructions of the study centre

The latest assignment booklets suggest preparing the assignment independently; mention question numbers; and advise keeping a copy of the submitted assignment.

Use the Right Study Material for IGNOU Assignments

The study material provided by the university for the chosen course acts as a prime source to prepare for assignments. It highlights the concepts, terminologies, and perspective expected by the evaluators, and one has to develop answers based on the following:

  • 1. Carefully read the assignment question
  • 2. Go through the relevant blocks/units to understand the concepts
  • 3. Highlight the required definitions, arguments, and examples
  • 4. Prepare a draft of the assignment
  • 5. Close the book and write the answer on one’s own

One can seek the help of IGNOU Galaxy in general educational guidance but must avoid quoting directly from IGNOU Solved Assignments. In fact, students can only use these materials as a reference to develop their responses.

Write Answers in Response to the Questions

Students tend to write whatever they know about a certain question instead of addressing the demands of the query. Hence, it is essential to focus on the command words to shape the answers accordingly. For instance, define means stating the meaning clearly, while explain requires a detailed description. Similarly, discuss asks for presenting ideas logically, compare asks for highlighting the similarities and differences, analyse asks for breaking the information into parts and evaluating them, critically examine requires presenting arguments for and against something and giving a fair conclusion, and illustrate means giving examples to explain something. The key here is to always respond to what is asked.

Use the High-Marking Answer Structure for IGNOU Assignments

Introduction

Write a brief introduction (About two-three lines) regarding what one has to address in the assignment.

Main Explanation

Divide the remaining text into headings and subheadings based on the key points and elaborate on them using complete sentences. It is not enough to underline or highlight a few words; one has to explain the ideas in detail.

Examples

Add relevant examples from the study material, Indian society/administration/business/education, and day-to-day life where applicable.

Conclusion

Write a concluding paragraph (for long answers) or just a short concluding statement (for short answers) that reiterates the primary ideas without repeating the introduction verbatim. This structure enables the evaluator to identify the significant areas addressed in the assignment, which is always beneficial.

Follow the IGNOU Assignment Word Limit Guidelines

Sometimes lengthy answers can mislead the evaluator instead of convincing him/her, and shorter answers are always better than long ones. One has to follow the word limit suggested by the assignment guidelines.

To reduce the word count, one can consider the following:

  • Organize the text using headings and subheadings
  • Focus on the explanation of the key ideas
  • Avoid repeating the question
  • Omit unnecessary background information
  • Keep the conclusion short

Better a short answer with relevant information than a long answer with superfluous information. Programme-specific guidelines always override the general instructions mentioned in the assignment booklet.

Write Your Own Words for IGNOU Assignments

It is advisable that one always tries to write the assignment in their own words because most of the guidelines suggest preparing assignments in one’s handwriting. Avoid writing the answers directly from online resources, friends’ notes, solved assignment pdf, study materials, chatbots, study notes, or last year’s submissions. One can always refer to the study materials to understand the concepts but then prepare the answer independently.

Using IGNOU Handwritten Assignments can be of much help in understanding the recommended page organisation, but do not copy directly from them.

Present IGNOU Assignment More Attractively and Neatly

The general presentation guidelines for IGNOU assignment are as follows:

  • A4 Size or Foolscap Pages (as mentioned on the assignment booklet)
  • Blue/Black pen
  • Same left margin
  • Subheadings and head/heading
  • Question numbers properly mentioned
  • Underlining of important definitions/terms neatly
  • Diagrams included (labelled ones if possible)
  • Avoid many colours
  • Page numbers written
  • Assignments of different courses tied separately

Do not bother about beautiful handwriting, but make sure that the evaluator can read and understand each word that you have written.

Make Sure the Assignment Front Page is Complete

The front page should ideally have the following information:

  • Name
  • Enrolment number
  • Programme Code
  • Course Code, Title
  • Assignment Code
  • Admission Session
  • Regional Centre
  • Study Centre Code
  • Address + Mobile Number
  • Date of submission

Always make sure of the requirements regarding the front page because different booklets suggest different guidelines, and incorrect information can prevent one from getting marks.

Make Sure All Required Questions Have Been Addressed

There is no point in leaving some questions unaddressed because it can adversely impact the final grades. Always double-check:

  • The number of questions
  • Questions with multiple parts
  • Numbering of your answer
  • Pages missing if any
  • Front page information
  • Any spelling or factual inaccuracies

A proofreading session can help you learn several such details.

Submit Assignment Before the Due Date

Follow the guidelines suggested by your regional centre/learner support centre on assignment submission. The process can differ from one centre to another. It is always a good idea to keep a photocopy/scanned copy of the submitted assignment along with the receipt/email confirmation (if any) as proof of submission.

As per IGNOU Regional Centre guidelines, it is better to get an acknowledgment and verify the details mentioned on it with the assignment.

Fulfil Other Academic Obligations Alongside the Assignment

While it is important to focus on the assignment, one must not ignore other academic obligations associated with the course. In addition to completing the assignments, one has to ensure the following:

  • Enrolment in the course along with the safekeeping of the enrolment number
  • Download and go through the IGNOU ID card and Programme Guide
  • Appear for the exams by filling the application form separately
  • Other guidelines if any

Depending on the course, one may also have to undertake practical training, projects, and/or industry internship. However, IGNOU Projects have to be completed in accordance with the project guidelines and project supervisor’s instructions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Assignments

  • Using incorrect assignment booklet based on the session
  • Copying readily available answers
  • Writing irrelevant introduction
  • Leaving out one or more questions
  • Exceeding word limit artificially
  • Unreadable handwriting
  • Missed out on headings/examples
  • Wrong enrolment number
  • Mixing up questions of different courses
  • No proof of assignment submission

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I get 90% in IGNOU assignment?

It is possible to score 90% in IGNOU assignment, but nothing is a guarantee, and one has to put in efforts to achieve it.

2. Do long answers help score more?

Sometimes long answers can be counterproductive, and relevance plays a more critical role. It is better to avoid writing unnecessarily and instead focus on content organisation.

3. Should I write the assignment in hand or print it?

It can depend on the programme-specific guidelines, but many assignment booklets suggest writing the assignment in one’s hand.

4. Can I copy solved assignment answers?

It is always better not to copy answers from solved assignment booklets and attempt the questions on one’s own. In case one finds it challenging, they can go through the solved assignment to understand the answering pattern.

5. What pen should I use for IGNOU assignments?

Unless specified, a blue/black pen should be used for IGNOU assignments.

6. Are headings compulsory in the assignment?

They are not compulsory, but they are a good way to organise the information.

7. Can I copy definitions from study material?

One can copy standard definitions, but it is better to write the description on one’s own.

8. Do diagrams add value to an assignment?

They can, but one has to ensure that they are relevant and accurate.

9. Should I make separate assignments for separate courses?

Yes, one should, and it is better to follow the guidelines suggested by the study centre.

10. What are the most important IGNOU assignment marking guidelines?

Understanding the question and writing the answer in one’s own words carry the most significance.

Conclusion

The best way to secure the highest mark in IGNOU assignment is to focus on both content and presentation. First, one has to download the correct booklet, go through the study material, follow the word limit, and attempt all the questions on one’s own. Avoid copying, and try to make the presentation more eye-friendly yet attractive. Use appropriate headings/subheadings, add examples, and maintain neat handwriting to allow the evaluator to understand one’s response.