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IGNOU Assignment Pattern: TMA Structure, Question Types, Word Limits and Marking
IGNOU assignments follow a set pattern that is printed in every assignment booklet: how many Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) a course has, what kind of questions each one contains, how long each answer should be, and how much the marks count. This guide explains that pattern using the university’s own booklet wording and a current example.
The pattern at a glance
| Weightage in final result | Assignments 30%, term-end examination 70% |
|---|---|
| Number of TMAs | Three for a six-credit course, two for a four-credit course |
| Total marks | 100 per course booklet, scaled to the 30% weightage |
| Question types | Descriptive Category Questions (DCQs), Middle Category Questions (MCQs), Short Category Questions (SCQs) |
| Answers must be | In your own words and within the word limit given for each section |
| Exam eligibility | Assignments must be submitted on time to be eligible for the term-end exam |
| Where to get the questions | IGNOU assignment portal, webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments |
Patterns vary a little by schoolThe structure above is the one printed in the School of Social Sciences CBCS booklets. Some programmes (for example management, computer or lab-based courses) use their own question layouts, so always follow the instructions page of your own booklet.
How assignments count in your result
Every booklet opens by reminding students that IGNOU evaluation has two parts: continuous evaluation through assignments, and the term-end examination. In the final result, assignments carry 30% and the term-end exam carries 70%. So a good assignment score gives you a cushion before you sit the exam, and a missing assignment cannot be made up by the exam alone.
How many TMAs per course
Four-credit course
Two TMAs (Assignment I and Assignment II). Their marks add up to 100.
Six-credit course
Three TMAs, again totalling 100 marks.
Credits are listed against each course in your programme guide and on the student portal. If you are not sure of a course’s credits, count the TMAs in its booklet.
The three question types
| Type | What IGNOU says it tests | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| DCQ (Descriptive Category) | Your ability to describe what you know about a topic “in a systematic, to-the-point and coherent manner” | Essay form with an introduction, body and conclusion |
| MCQ (Middle Category) | Your ability to distinguish, compare and contrast, and your understanding of concepts and processes | Analyse first, then write concisely; often set as short notes |
| SCQ (Short Category) | Recall of precise information about persons, writings, events or concepts | Brief, focused answers |
MCQ does not mean multiple choice hereIn IGNOU booklets, MCQ stands for Middle Category Question, a medium-length written answer.
A real example: BANS-183 Tourism Anthropology
BANS-183 is a four-credit ability enhancement course. Its July 2025–January 2026 booklet is laid out like this:
| Part | Instruction | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment I | Two questions, about 500 words each | 2 × 20 = 40 |
| Assignment II, part 1 | Three short notes, about 250 words each | 3 × 10 = 30 |
| Assignment II, part 2 | Short answers, about 150 words each | 30 |
| Total | 100 | |
The marks per question tell you how to divide your effort: a 20-mark essay deserves about twice the reading and planning of a 10-mark short note.
Reading the assignment code
The top of each TMA gives the course code, an assignment code and total marks. For BANS-183 the assignment code is BANS 183/ASST/TMA/July 2025 and January 2026, which means the same questions apply to students admitted in both of those sessions. Copy this code exactly onto your cover page; it is how the evaluator matches your answers to the right question set.
The same booklet sets different last dates for each batch: 30 April 2026 for students enrolled in July 2025 and 30 September 2026 for those enrolled in January 2026, with submission to the coordinator of the learner support centre. Dates change every session, so check our assignment last date guide for the current one.
How IGNOU asks you to write answers
The booklets list three stages. Following them is the most direct way to match what the evaluator is looking for.
- PlanningRead the questions, go through the units they are based on, note points for each question and arrange them in a logical order.
- OrganisationBe selective, draw up a rough outline, and give proper attention to the introduction and conclusion. The answer should be logical and coherent, with clear links between sentences and paragraphs, and correct in expression, style and presentation.
- PresentationWrite the final version neatly, underline the points you want to stress, and stay within the word limit.
The booklet also states that answers must be in your own words and that writing them prepares you for the term-end exam. For paper size, cover page and binding, see our IGNOU assignment paper format guide and front page guide.
Submission, receipt and return
- Submit handwritten assignments within the stated time; this is a condition for sitting the term-end exam.
- Take the receipt from the learner support centre and keep it. The booklet also advises keeping a photocopy of your assignments.
- The centre returns the evaluated assignments to you (IGNOU tells students to insist on this) and sends the marks to the Student Evaluation Division in New Delhi.
- For the December 2026 term-end exam, IGNOU has also issued a notification on online submission through the Online Assignment Management System (OAMS). Read it on the announcements page to see whether it applies to your programme.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Using the wrong session’s questions. Check that the session on the booklet cover matches your admission or re-registration session.
- Writing 1,000 words for a 150-word question, or 150 words for a 500-word one.
- Copying text from the study material or another student. The booklet asks for answers in your own words.
- Leaving out the introduction and conclusion in descriptive answers.
- Mixing up course codes or assignment codes on the cover page.
- Not keeping the submission receipt, which is your proof if marks do not appear on the grade card.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage do IGNOU assignments carry?
30% of the final result for a course. The term-end examination carries the other 70%.
How many assignments are there for each course?
Two TMAs for a four-credit course and three for a six-credit course, totalling 100 marks.
What do DCQ, MCQ and SCQ mean?
Descriptive Category Questions (essay answers), Middle Category Questions (concise analytical answers) and Short Category Questions (brief recall answers).
Is there a word limit?
Yes. Each section of the booklet gives an approximate word count, for example about 500, 250 or 150 words, and IGNOU asks you to keep within it.
Can I type my assignments?
The booklets refer to handwritten assignments. Follow your own booklet and any OAMS notification for your programme.
Where do I download the current questions?
From the IGNOU assignment portal at webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments, choosing your programme level, programme and session.