End-Term Exam Strategy for IIT Madras BS Program

End-term exams play a crucial role in determining your final grade and CGPA in the IIT Madras BS program. A smart strategy can significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes.

Why End-Term Planning Matters

Unlike quizzes or weekly assignments, end-term exams usually carry the highest weightage. A small improvement in end-term marks can often push your grade from B to A or from C to B.

• High impact on final grade
• One-time evaluation
• Affects CGPA directly

Understand the Weightage Structure

Most IIT Madras BS courses follow a structure similar to:

• Quizzes / OPPEs: 20–40%
• Assignments / Projects: 20–30%
• End-Term Exam: 30–50%

Always check your course handout to know the exact distribution.

Calculate the Marks You Need

One of the most effective strategies is to calculate how many marks you need in the end-term exam to reach your desired grade.

For example:

• Score from quizzes & assignments: 60 / 70
• End-term exam weightage: 30%
• Target total score for Grade A: 80 / 100

Your quizzes already contribute 60 marks to the final score. To reach a total of 80, you need:

Required contribution from end-term = 80 − 60 = 20 marks

Since only 30% of the end-term exam score is counted, the required raw end-term marks are:

Required end-term marks = (20 ÷ 30) × 100 = 66.7%

This means you must score approximately 67 out of 100 in the end-term exam to achieve a Grade A.

This tells you whether your target grade is realistic or needs adjustment.

Prioritize Courses Strategically

Not all courses should be treated equally. Use this priority order:

1. High-credit courses (4 credits)
2. Courses near a grade boundary
3. Courses affecting CGPA the most

Improving one 4-credit course from B to A can matter more than two 2-credit projects.

Revision Strategy That Actually Works

• Revise lecture notes first
• Solve past assignments and quizzes
• Focus on frequently tested topics
• Avoid last-day syllabus completion

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring end-term weightage
• Overconfidence after quizzes
• Studying without grade targets
• Not using CGPA calculations

Use CGPA Tools to Plan Ahead

Planning end-term exams without knowing your CGPA impact is like driving without a map.

Use these tools together:

• CGPA Calculator
• End-Term Marks Predictor

Final Advice

End-term exams are not just about studying harder — they are about studying smarter. Clear targets, realistic planning, and consistent revision can make a huge difference.

Remember: improving even one grade can significantly boost your overall CGPA.