NOUN Exam Preparation: Everything You Need to Know Before Sitting Your Examinations
NOUN Exam Preparation: Everything You Need to Know Before Sitting Your Examinations
Sitting for NOUN examinations is different from exams at a conventional university. Because NOUN uses the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) model, the examination process has its own procedures, requirements, and timelines that every student must understand before exam season begins.
This guide covers everything you need to do before, during, and after your NOUN examinations — from checking the timetable to collecting your results.
Step 1: Confirm Your Course Registration is Complete
Before anything else, confirm that you successfully registered the courses you intend to sit for in the current semester. You can only be examined in courses that appear on your registered course list.
How to check:
- Log in to the NOUN student portal at nouonline.nou.edu.ng
- Go to Course Registration → View Registered Courses
- Confirm every course you expect to write appears in the list
If a course is missing, visit your study centre immediately — late corrections become impossible once the examination period begins.
Step 2: Check the Examination Timetable
NOUN publishes the semester examination timetable on the student portal and through study centres, usually 4–6 weeks before the exam period begins.
- Log in to the student portal → Examination → Timetable
- Cross-reference your registered courses with the timetable dates
- Note any clashes — if two of your courses are scheduled at the same time, report it to your study centre immediately
Exam dates change occasionally. Always re-confirm your timetable one week before the exam begins.
Step 3: Collect Your Examination Card (Scratch Card)
Your examination card (sometimes called a scratch card or exam permit) is the document that grants you entry into the examination hall. Without it, you will not be allowed to write.
How to get it:
- Visit your registered study centre
- Present proof of course registration and TMA completion
- Study centre staff will issue your exam card or confirm eligibility
When to collect it: Collect your exam card at least one week before your first exam. Study centres get busy in the final days before exams, and technical issues sometimes delay card issuance.
Step 4: Complete All Your TMAs
Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) are not just coursework — they are a prerequisite to sit for the examination in many NOUN programmes. If you have an outstanding TMA submission for a course, you may be barred from writing that exam.
- TMAs count for 30% of your final grade
- Exams count for 70%
- You typically have 3 TMAs per course per semester
Even if your programme allows you to sit without completing all TMAs, submitting them maximises your final score. A student who scores 70/100 on the exam and 30/30 on TMAs graduates with 100%. One who scores 70/100 on the exam but 0/30 on TMAs gets only 70%.
Step 5: Understand the Exam Format
NOUN examinations vary by faculty and course, but most follow one of these formats:
| Format | Details |
|---|---|
| Essay questions | Write structured answers; most common in Arts, Law, Management, Social Sciences |
| Short answer | List, define, or briefly explain; common in Sciences |
| Multiple choice | Usually mixed with essay questions; common in Foundation/100-level courses |
| Problem-solving | Numerical questions; common in Accounting, Maths, Economics |
Typical exam duration: 2–3 hours Total marks per exam: Usually 100, of which your score counts for 70% of the course grade
Read the instructions on your exam paper carefully before answering. Many students lose marks by answering more questions than required or misreading the instruction format.
Step 6: Know Your Exam Venue
All NOUN examinations are sat at your registered study centre — not on a central NOUN campus. You cannot sit exams at a study centre you are not registered with.
Confirm the exam hall location within your study centre when you collect your exam card. Some large study centres use multiple halls, and students are assigned to specific rooms.
Arrive early. Exam halls stop admitting students after the exam has started for some time — the exact cut-off varies by study centre and invigilator. Aim to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before the exam starts to avoid any risk of being turned away.
What to Bring on Exam Day
| Item | Required? |
|---|---|
| Examination card | Yes — you will be turned away without it |
| Student ID / matric card | Yes |
| Pens (blue or black ink) | Yes — bring at least two |
| Mathematical instruments (ruler, calculator) | Only if specified for that course |
| Pencil | Optional — useful for diagrams or multiple-choice erasure |
| Water bottle | Permitted at most centres; confirm with your centre |
Do NOT bring:
- Mobile phones (they will be confiscated or you will be disqualified)
- Textbooks or printed notes (NOUN exams are closed-book)
- Scrap paper from outside (use the answer booklet provided)
Exam Day Rules You Must Know
- Sign in with the invigilator when you enter the hall — your attendance is recorded.
- Do not write until instructed to begin.
- Write your matric number, course code, and date on every answer booklet you use.
- Do not talk to other candidates during the exam — this is grounds for disqualification.
- Do not leave the hall during the examination without permission from the invigilator.
- Submit your answer booklet to the invigilator — do not take any part of it out of the hall.
After the Exam: Checking Your Results
NOUN releases examination results on a rolling basis, usually 4–8 weeks after the examination period ends for each semester.
How to check:
- Log in to the student portal
- Go to Results → Examination Results
- Select the semester and academic session
Results are also physically posted at study centres for students without reliable internet access.
If a result is missing or looks wrong:
- First confirm the course appeared in your registration list
- Visit your study centre with your exam card as evidence of sitting
- Your study centre coordinator can raise a query with NOUN's examination department
NOUN Grading Scale
| Score | Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
| 70–100 | A | 5.0 |
| 60–69 | B | 4.0 |
| 50–59 | C | 3.0 |
| 45–49 | D | 2.0 |
| 40–44 | E | 1.0 |
| 0–39 | F | 0.0 |
A score of 40 and above is a pass (50 and above for nursing programmes). The minimum CGPA required for undergraduate graduation is 1.00 on the 5-point scale; postgraduate programmes require a minimum of 2.00.
Use the NOUN CGPA Calculator to estimate your CGPA after each semester's results are out.
What If You Fail an Exam?
If you score below 40 (an F grade) in a course:
- Carry-over: The course is added to your next semester as a carry-over. You re-register and re-sit the exam.
- Supplementary exams: NOUN occasionally offers supplementary examinations for students who narrowly missed a pass. Availability varies by semester — check with your study centre or the NOUN portal for current eligibility.
- Grade replacement: Once you pass a carry-over course, the new grade replaces the F in your CGPA calculation.
Quick Pre-Exam Checklist
- Course registration confirmed for all exam courses
- Examination timetable downloaded and saved
- TMAs submitted for all courses
- Examination card collected from study centre
- Exam venue and hall number confirmed
- Pens, student ID, and exam card packed the night before
- Arrival plan — aim to be at the centre 20–30 minutes early
Resources
- Download Course Materials — Get your e-coursewares and study guides
- CGPA Calculator — Calculate your current and projected CGPA
- POP Past Questions — Practice with previous exam papers
- School Fees Calculator — Plan your exam registration costs
- Exam Preparation Study Tips — How to study effectively for NOUN exams