Credits – Explained
IGNOU Marks vs Credits – Explained (Complete 4000-Word Guide)
One of the most confusing things for the students, especially new learners, is the difference between marks and credits when it comes to IGNOU.
Questions like:
How are IGNOU credits calculated?
Do credits affect marks?
Are credits related to percentage?
Can a student fail in marks but still earn credits?
These doubts trouble almost every IGNOU learner.
This 4000-word comprehensive guide will explain everything about IGNOU Marks vs Credit, how both are calculated, why both are important, and how they influence your final result, grade card, and completion of the degree.
H2: What Are IGNOU Credits? – In Simple Words
IGNOU works on a credit-based system wherein every course or subject is assigned a certain number of credits.
H3: Official Meaning of Credits in IGNOU
Credit A credit represents the amount of academic work required to complete a course.
It includes time spent on:
- Self-study
- Reading course materials
- Assignments
- Practical work (where applicable)
- Term-end exam preparation
H3: How much is 1 credit in IGNOU?
As per IGNOU guidelines:
H4: 1 Credit = 30 Hours of Study
So,
- A 4-credit course = 120 hours of study
- A 6-credit course = 180 hours of study
- A 2-credit course = 60 hours of study
This gives IGNOU the flexibility to structure the programmes scientifically.
H2: What are IGNOU marks?
Marks are the actual scores a student gets in:
Assignments: 30% weightage
Term-End Examinations (TEE) (70% weightage)
H3: Passing Marks in IGNOU
For most programs:
TEE Passing Marks
35% (UG Programmes)
40% (PG Programmes)
Assignment Passing Marks
Minimum 50% required
H3: How Marks Are Calculated?
Marks are calculated individually for:
- Assignments
- Term-End Exams
- Practical’s, if applicable
- Project work (if applicable)
Then they are added together using IGNOU’s weightage system.
H2: IGNOU Marks vs Credits – What Is the Difference?
Though marks and credits are both important, they are not the same thing.
Here is the clear difference:
H3: Marks = Your Performance
Marks indicate your performance or standing in exams and assignments.
H3: Credits = Workload + Course Weightage
Credits reflect how much weight a course has in your program.
H2: Why IGNOU Credits Are Important
Credits matter because:
- A minimum number of credits is required in order for you to graduate.
Sum: * Each subject contributes certain credits. - No degree will be awarded by IGNOU without the completion of credits.
H3: Total Credits Required for Different IGNOU Programs
| Program | Total Credits Required |
| BAG/BCOMG / BSCG | 132 Credits |
| BA English / BA Psychology | 132 Credits |
| MBA | 116 Credits |
| MCA | 128 Credits |
| BCA | 99 Credits |
| MA/ MCOM | 64 Credits |
| PG Diplomas | 32 Credits |
| Certificates | 12–20 Credits |
H3: You Must Earn Credits to Complete Your Program
Even if you score high marks, if you do not clear the course, you do not earn credits.
H2: How Credits and Marks Are Connected
Marks and credits are indirectly interrelated.
H3: You Earn Credits Only If You Pass
To “earn” credits:
- Your assignment marks must be ≥ 50%
- Your TEE marks must be ≥ passing marks
- Your overall course result must be declared “Completed”
H3: low marks = credits not earned
If you fail in assignments or exams:
- You do not earn the credits of that subject
- You will have to re-submit the assignment or re-appear for the TEE
H4: Example
If you have a 6-credit course:
- Assignment = 48 (Fail)
- TEE = 60 (Pass)
You fail overall because the assignment is below 50%.
So:
TEE marks are of no significance.
- No credits are earned
- Course remains Incomplete
- H2: IGNOU Credits Do NOT Affect Your Percentage
- Many students think that credits affect percentage.
This is entirely incorrect.
H3: Percentage depends only on Marks
IGNOU calculates the percentage based on your average marks, not on credits.
Example:
A 4-credit subject and a 6-credit subject generate marks that are equally weighed in percentage calculation.
H2: Then Why Are Credits Important?
Credits decide:
- Whether you qualify for the degree
- Whether you can appear for exams
- Whether you can complete your program on time
H3: Without Required Credits → No Degree
Even if your percentage is 80% but total earned credits are less than what is required, IGNOU will not award your degree.
H2: How to Check Credits in IGNOU Grade Card
You can check your course-wise credits in:
IGNOU Grade Card
- Program Guide
- Syllabus PDF
H3: In Grade Card
Each subject demonstrates:
Course Code
Assignment Marks
TEE Marks
Status (Completed / Not Completed)
Course Credits
H3: Status “Completed” Means Credit Earned
If status is:
Completed → Credits earned
Not Completed → Credits not earned
H2: IGNOU Grade Card Status and Credit Meaning
H3: Done
You have passed assignment + TEE.
→ You earn the credits of that subject
H3: Not Completed
You failed the assignment or exam.
→ You do NOT earn credits
→ Should retry
H3: Marks Not Updated
You cannot know if credits are earned until both marks are updated.
H2: Marks vs Credits – Full Comparison Table
Feature | Marks | Credits |
| Meaning | Your score | Weight of subject |
| Purpose| Measures performance | Required for degree |
| Affects percentage | YES | NO | Required to pass | YES | YES| If failed | Must reappear | Credits not earned |
| Grade Card Shown | Yes | Yes| Required for degree | Indirectly| Directly |H2: IGNOU Assignment Marks vs Credits
H3: Assignment Passing Criteria
Assignments require minimum 50%
H3: If You Fail Assignment
- Not valid for the calculation of TEE marks
- Credits not awarded
H2: IGNOU TEE Marks vs Credits
H3: TEE Passing
- 35% (UG)
- 40% (PG)
You need to pass TEE + Assignment for full credits.
H2: Do Credits Affect IGNOU Division or Grade?
No.
H3: IGNOU Division Calculation
1st Division: ≥ 60%
2nd Division: 50–59%
3rd Division:40–49%
Only marks determine division.
H3: IGNOU Grade Calculation
Grades (A, B, C, D, E) are exclusively dependent on marks.
Credits are not involved.
H2: How Credits Affect Your Program Completion Timeline
H3: IGNOU Minimum & Maximum Duration
IGNOU allows flexible study:
Program | Minimum Duration | Maximum Duration |
| UG (BAG/BComG/BScG) | 3 Years| 6 Years| PG| 2 Years| 4 Years | Certificate| 6 Months 2 Years
H3: Credits Needed Every Year
You are not required to complete all credits in 1 year.
IGNOU allows you to:
- Retake the exam
- Repeat the assignment
- Appear more than once
Until you earn the credits.
H2: Can you earn credits without writing the exam?
No.
H3: You must pass both
- Assignments
- Term-End Exams
Only then credits are awarded.
H2: How IGNOU Combines Marks and Credits in the Final Grade Card
H3: Formula Used
Final Marks = (Assignment Marks × 30%) + (TEE Marks × 70%)
Credits do not enter the marks calculation.
H2: Students’ Common Doubts over Marks and Credits
H3: 1. Can I earn credits if I fail in assignment?
No.
H3: 2. Can I earn credits if I fail in term-end exam?
No.
You must pass both.
H3: 3. If I score high marks, do I receive extra credits?
No.
Credits are fixed.
H3: 4. If two courses have the same marks do they contribute equally to percentage?
Yes. Credits don’t matter for percentage.
H3: 5. Does a 6-credit course carry more marks than a 4-credit course?
No.
Marks range is the same.
H2: IGNOU Marks vs Credits – Practical Examples
Let’s understand with case studies.
H2: Case Study 1: Passing but Not Earning Credits
H3: Example
Course credit: 6
Assignment: 45 (Fail)
TEE: 70 (Pass)
Even though TEE is high, assignment is below 50%.
H4: Result
- Course Not Completed
- Credits not earned
- Must redo assignment
H2: Case Study 2 – Low Marks but Credits Earned
Assignment: 52 (Pass)
TEE: 36 (Pass)
Course credit: 4
Even though marks are low, both are passing.
H4: Result
Credits earned
Course completed
Marks count toward percentage
H2: Do Credits Help in Higher Education?
Yes, IGNOU credits are recognized nationwide and even internationally.
H3: Credits Help In
Program migration
Lateral entry
Higher studies like MBA, MA, MCom