NPTEL Exam Experience for Last semester students of MCA and BCA

As the curtains draw close on the academic journey of MCA students at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal, there’s one final hurdle to cross: the NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) exam. For many, including myself, this exam signifies the culmination of years of hard work and dedication toward mastering the intricacies of our chosen field. In my case, the chosen path led me down the road of data analytics with Python, a course teeming with promise and potential.

Learning with NPTEL

The NPTEL exam, a mandatory requirement for all MCA students in their last semester, is a collaboration between the university and NPTEL, aimed at enriching the learning experience through online courses and rigorous assessments. The process begins with the university selecting a range of courses from NPTEL’s extensive catalogue, offering students the opportunity to choose one or more courses aligning with their interests and career aspirations.

I chooses data analytics with Python course. it was 12 weeks course.

Steps

• Firstly, students log in to the Swayam Central portal through their email.
• Then, they register for the course of their choice.
• After registration, they proceed to the payment page.
• Upon successful payment, they can start the course peacefully.
• The exam faculties announce the exam date in advance.
• As the exam date approaches, the hall ticket is released.
• The next step is to print the hall ticket.
• On the day of the exam, students need to bring a photo ID to the exam center.

Guidance from the Teachers

Learning wasn’t solitary. NPTEL provided preloaded videos, and teachers from renowned institutions like IIT Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, and Roorkee were there too. They hosted live sessions and offered tips and make it easy. For my course, there is a professor from IIT Roorkee who teaches us about the subject and guides us.

Weeks of Learning

The course spanned 12 weeks, each packed with new lessons. From basic Python to advanced data manipulation, every week was a step forward. But it wasn’t just watching videos; assignments were crucial. They pushed us to apply what we learned.

There are preloaded videos that help me get prepared, and teachers provide live doubt sessions for students, offering suggestions. I prepare myself by writing important notes, reading them carefully, and completing assignments diligently because all exams are based on multiple-choice questions. Additionally, there is a chance that questions from weekly assignments may appear in the main exam, so I practice previous year questions as well.

In my case, the criteria for obtaining the certificate were clear: an average assignment score of at least 10 out of 25 and an exam score of at least 30 out of 75.

Facing the Exam

My exam was scheduled for the forenoon, beginning at 9 am and lasting for 3 hours until 12 pm. The reporting time was 8:30 am. Initially, I felt quite tense before the exam, but upon seeing the question paper, I was happy to find that I could solve the problems. I completed my exam by 11:30 am. The faculty conducting the exam was very good, and their behavior was helpful and positive.

In conclusion I just want to say that the NPTEL exam experience was a journey filled with learning and growth. From registering for courses to facing the exam, each step taught valuable lessons and offered opportunities for improvement. The support from teachers, the convenience of online resources, and the sense of accomplishment upon completing the exam all contributed to a rewarding experience. As I reflect on this journey, I am grateful for the knowledge gained and the skills honed, paving the way for future success.