Inside Reddit’s NPTEL Threads: Student Queries on NPTEL Exams
With NPTEL exam dates announced and semester exams approaching, Reddit forums get flooded with queries such as ‘how to pass NPTEL exams’, last-minute exam tips, strategy-led discussions, and more. The pressure to be eligible for the NPTEL certificate is quite real, as the NPTEL certification rate is very low compared to the number of NPTEL enrollments. While forums such as Reddit are full of personal perspectives and “this worked for me” stories, similar questions are frequently asked.
We have collected the top 10 most frequently asked questions about the NPTEL semester exam after diving deep into Reddit threads and paired them with realistic, logic-based answers that will end your curiosity. Read this article for preparation strategy and tips that will help you to avoid some common mistakes.
NPTEL FAQs on Reddit
NPTEL semester exams for set 1 courses were conducted on September 20 and 21, 2025, and NPTEL results are also available on the official website. Candidates appearing in the NPTEL July semester exams scheduled to be conducted on October 24 and 25, 2025, and November 1 and 2, 2025, can find answers to frequently asked NPTEL questions on Reddit.
1. How many NPTEL exam questions come from NPTEL assignments?
Reddit buzz: Exam was 90 per cent from the assignment. Read the assignment with solutions 2-3 times, you can score 90+.”
Reality: There is no fixed pattern when it comes to NPTEL questions. Questions can be both direct and modified from the NPTEL assignments. Candidates must thoroughly analyse the NPTEL assignments. However, it is important to understand the concept through the video lectures and bonus quizzes to broaden the preparation.
2. What is the NPTEL exam pattern? Is there any negative marking in the NPTEL exam?
Reddit buzz: There will be 75 questions with no negative marks. You just need a minimum of 30 in the exam + 10 marks on average from assignments.
Reality: According to the NPTEL exam pattern, most of the courses have 75 MCQs based on the lectures and assignments. Candidates must attempt all the questions, as there is no negative marking in the NPTEL exam. However, question patterns for some courses may differ, so candidates are advised to check the detailed NPTEL exam guidelines and pattern beforehand, available in the NPTEL course syllabus section.
3. How is the NPTEL final score calculated? What is the NPTEL passing criteria?
Reddit buzz: I scored 23/25 in assignments and 23/75 in the exam, which is a total of 47/100. Am I pass or fail?
Reality: For final score calculation, NPTEL considers 75 per cent weightage of the written examination and 25 per cent in the NPTEL assignments. Also, candidates have to meet the 40 per cent NPTEL cut-off in both the written exam and assignments separately. It is advised to focus on both areas properly. The NPTEL certification category-wise certificate will be provided based on the final score only. Candidates can go through the detailed NPTEL passing criteria here.
4. What if I miss assignment deadlines? Am I disqualified?
Reddit buzz: Missed 5 assignments out of 12. What now?
If I have only 7/12, will I still be eligible (if the best 8 are considered)?”
Reality: NPTEL chooses the best of the assignments for the score calculation, which, as per the duration of the course, such as for a 4-week course, the best of the three assignments' scores will be considered; for an 8-week course, the best of five assignments' scores will be taken into account; and for a 12-week course, the best of eight assignments' scores will be calculated. Submitting less than this will result in losing eligibility for the NPTEL certificate. NPTEL also provides the assignment scores on the dashboard; students must do the calculation of NPTEL assignment score to check if they are meeting the 40 per cent benchmark or not.
5. When will NPTEL certificates be issued and when will I get mine?
Reddit buzz: Does anyone know when the certificates for September exams will be posted?”
Reality: NPTEL provides the NPTEL certificate along with the NPTEL result, which is generally available within 10 days after the exam. Candidates can check the result release date and the availability of certificates for their enrolled courses in the official PDF published on the NPTEL website. As mentioned, the NPTEL certificate download link will be available on the student’s dashboard.
6. What if my NPTEL exam centre is not declared yet?
Reddit buzz: Venue still not declared. I prefer Bengaluru first and Noida second. Will I get what I prefer?”
Reality: The NPTEL exam centre will be assigned according to the student’s choice and the availability of the centre. It is not guaranteed that students will get their first choice only. Check the NPTEL course portal, and in case of any confusion, students can contact the NPTEL support.
7. Is studying only NPTEL assignments enough to pass?
Reddit buzz: Is studying assignment questions enough to pass this exam?”
Reality: No, definitely not. Assignment questions do cover a large part of the final exam, but one cannot rely only on the assignments. For tech/applied/rigorous courses, NPTEL exams often include new and different problems than the assignments. Sometimes, the questions will be the same as assignments but slightly tweaked to assess students.
8. When do NPTEL results come out? How do I know mine is out?
Reddit buzz: 8-week course results are out? Where can I check?
What about grading and result announcements?
Reality: NPTEL publishes the results within 10 days after the exams. NPTEL releases the PDF containing the course name along with the course-providing institute name and the result publishing date. Candidates can check the NPTEL result date according to the course they have enrolled in. For NPTEL exams conducted in September, results are available on the official website.
9. How does the NPTEL internship process work?
Reddit buzz: What are the selection criteria? Do they conduct interviews?”
My friend got an internship via DBMS; I got an Elite certificate, so what are my chances?
Reality: NPTEL offers both summer and winter internships for the toppers specifically. Candidates who are in the Elite-Gold category of NPTEL certificate will be eligible for NPTEL internships. NPTEL internships can be offered for a period of 2/4/6/8/10/12 weeks duration with the stipend ranging from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 45,000. For the NPTEL internship selection process, the official authority will contact the course instructor to check if they can take interns from the toppers/Elite-Gold category of learners of their respective courses. Interns will be selected on the basis of documents submitted/personal interviews/any other means as it is deemed suitable.
10. Which NPTEL courses are easiest and best for the coming semester?
Reddit buzz: What NPTEL courses should I take? Is Andrew Ng’s ML course worth it?
The hardest part is consistency, you cannot miss a weekly lecture.
Reality: Choosing the NPTEL course is completely based on the student’s study and career goals. The difficulty level is based on the student’s focus and flexibility to complete the programme. Hence, the course will be easy or difficult: this depends on the student’s perspective. However, it is important to check the review of the course from the previous batches.
