How to Score Above 60% in the IGNOU MSW Course?

Know the IGNOU MSW Evaluation System

Before you start preparing a study plan, know how your performance is calculated.

For most theory classes:

• Assignments are 30% of the total marks.
• Term-End Examinations: 70% Weightage.
• Evaluation requirements are different for fieldwork and practicum.
• Projects, dissertations and internships should be completed wherever appropriate.

Finalize the Necessary Admission Formalities

Check Your Admission Confirmation

Confirm that your admission has been approved and that the correct MSW programme appears in your student account. Check your name, Regional Centre, Learner Support Centre, admission session and selected courses.

Any error must be reported as soon as possible as incorrect details of programme or course may cause problems during submission of assignments and registration for examination.

Save Your Enrolment Number

For nearly all academic activities including: Your enrolment number is required to:

• Download ID card
• Submitting assignments
• Filling out the examination form
• Checking results and grade cards
• Communicating with the university Save it on your phone, email and personal records.

IGNOU ID Card Download

Download the identity card from the student portal and keep both digital and printed copies. Carry it while visiting your study centre, attending counselling sessions or appearing for examinations.

Read the MSW Programme Guide Carefully

The official IGNOU MSW Programme Guide explains the course structure, evaluation method, fieldwork requirements, credits and academic procedures.

Read the sections related to:

• Theoretical courses
• assessment of assignment
• Social work practicum
• Supervision of field work
• Positioning of blocks
• Internship
• Dissertation or project

The current course structure and programme requirements can also be found on the official IGNOU MSW programme page .

IGNOU MSW Study Plan: The Practical Guide

A realistic study plan is more useful than studying several hours just before the examination.

Break your weekly schedule into three parts:

1. Full study of two units from the official material.
2. Write down notes of the units completed.
3. Have a go at a previous exam question.

Try to study most days, for 60 to 90 minutes. Spend more time on weekends reviewing difficult concepts and updating fieldwork journals.

Start with important concepts such as social casework, group work, community organisation, social welfare administration, counselling, research methods and professional ethics.

Effective Use of IGNOU MSW Study Material

Make IGNOU study blocks your primary study material. They normally follow the syllabus, and include definitions, explanations, examples and self-assessment questions.

As you read through each unit:

• Emphasize key definitions .
• List the names of the major thinkers and approaches.
• Recognize benefits, constraints and uses.
• Create short summaries under headings.
• Use relevant examples from India.

These extra IGNOU MSW notes from IGNOU Galaxy can help in simplifying tough topics. But before you start using it for exam prep, compare it to the official study material.

Get High Marks in IGNOU MSW Assignments

Assignments carry 30% weightage in theory courses and therefore, performing well in your assignments can greatly improve your overall percentage. The present IGNOU assignment guidelines also advise the learners to go through the Programme Guide thoroughly and to consider the preparation of assignments as an important part of TEE preparation.

Follow these tips for IGNOU MSW assignment:

• Answer only what is asked in the question.
• Use of headings and subheadings;
• Explain concepts in your own voice.
• Give good examples from social work practice.
• Stay within the suggested word count.
• Use an introduction and a conclusion in long answers.
• Submit the right assignment for your admission session.

For understanding the structure of answers, IGNOU Solved Assignments are to be consulted. Students can also get academic help in IGNOU Handwritten Assignments. But students should make sure that their final submission is original and follows the instructions of the university.

Plan Your Strategy for IGNOU MSW TEE

Start your IGNOU MSW TEE preparation at least 8-10 weeks before the examination.

Use Last Year Question Papers

You can download the IGNOU MSW Previous Year Question Papers from the university’s official question-paper section. IGNOU offers last year question papers for various examination sessions through its student services.

Go through at least five past papers for each course. Identify:

• Repeated themes
• Standard long-answer questions
• - Brief note on topics
• Comparison questions
• Practice questions

The last one is the best of the lot. Utilize them to pinpoint key areas and ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.

Write answers practice

Just knowing may not get you good marks if you don’t present it well.

A good IGNOU MSW answer should contain:

• A short introduction
• Definition or meaning
• Primary explanation under headings
• Related Examples
• Critical observations as needed
• A brief conclusion

Write neatly and underline important words. Do not make introductions longer than necessary.

Finish Fieldwork and Practicum Properly

Fieldwork is a core component of professional social work education. The MSW programme has requirements for practicum learning, supervision and placement. The programme guide mentions the evaluation of the practicum as comprising both supervisor and external evaluation.

For best results:

• Regular attendance in field work.
• Keep daily records.
• Develop clear objectives for each visit.
• Connect field experience to methods of social work.
• Participate in individual and group meetings.
• Get regular guidance from the supervisor;
• Complete placement of blocks as per instructions.

Track Deadlines and Fill Out Exam Form

Keep a calendar for:

• Submission of Assignment
• Submission in examination form
• Register again
• Submission of project/dissertation
• Practical/fieldwork assessment
• Hall-tickets release
• TEE dates

IGNOU assignment validity, weightage and due-date information has been released on its official assignment portal. Students should download only the assignment valid for their session.

Submit Project and Synopsis

Students with a project or dissertation component to their studies should start early. Choose a sensible topic, work to the agreed format for your research and keep in touch with your supervisor.

You can check IGNOU Projects to know the standard format of Synopsis and Project Report. However the research problem, data collection, analysis and conclusions must be the student’s own work.

Do not copy old project reports, this may cause delays in evaluation because of plagiarism, inappropriate data and missing approval documents.

Common Mistakes That Lead To Lower Marks

• Studying only prior to the TEE
• Breaking official study blocks
• Copying the answers to assignments word-for-word
• Preparing just repeated questions
• Responses without headings
• Fieldwork records not completed
• Failure to meet assignment or examination deadlines
• Using the incorrect assignment session
• Not managing time for question attempts
• Leaving out instructions printed on the question paper

Tips for Scoring Above 60% in Your Exam

• 70% and above in assignments.
• Target minimum 60% in each theory paper.
• Edit each course twice or more.
• Jot down short notes on each block.
• Include examples from social work in answers.
• Try to answer all questions.
• Maintain complete and authentic field records.
• Keep visiting the official IGNOU website regularly.

Common Questions