NOUN TMA Guide: How to Pass Your Tutor-Marked Assignments
NOUN TMA Guide: How to Pass Your Tutor-Marked Assignments
Tutor-Marked Assignments — commonly known as TMAs — are one of the most important components of your academic performance at the National Open University of Nigeria. Yet many students either rush through them, submit late, or misunderstand how they count toward the final grade. This guide covers everything you need to know about NOUN TMAs: what they are, how they are scored, strategies to ace them, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that trip up thousands of students every semester.
What Is a TMA?
A Tutor-Marked Assignment is a set of questions assigned to you at the end of each study unit in a NOUN course. Unlike a final examination, TMAs are completed online through the NOUN student portal and submitted before a specified deadline each semester.
Each course typically has three or four TMAs, labelled TMA1, TMA2, TMA3, and sometimes TMA4. The questions are drawn from the course content covered in that portion of the study material and are usually multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay-type depending on the course.
How Much Do TMAs Count?
This is the question every NOUN student asks.
Your final grade in any NOUN course is made up of two components:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment (TMAs) | 30% |
| Final Examination | 70% |
So your TMA scores collectively make up 30% of your total grade. This means:
- If you score 100% in all your TMAs (30/30) and 60% in the exam, your total is 72% — a B grade.
- If you score 0% in all TMAs and 100% in the exam, your total is 70% — still a B grade, but you left 30 points on the table.
- If you ignore TMAs entirely and score only 50% in the exam, you get 35% — an outright failure.
The message is clear: TMAs are not optional. They are your safety net for the final exam.
TMA Deadlines — When to Submit
NOUN sets TMA submission windows for each semester. Missing the deadline means the system locks you out and you score zero for that TMA — with no exceptions.
Here are the key rules:
- TMA windows open at the start of each semester alongside course registration.
- TMA1 is typically due roughly 4–6 weeks into the semester.
- TMA2 and TMA3 follow at roughly 3–4 week intervals thereafter.
- No late submissions are accepted once the portal closes the TMA window.
Tip: Check your NOUN student portal dashboard immediately at the start of every semester and note the TMA deadlines in your personal calendar. Set phone reminders one week before each deadline.
How to Submit Your TMA on the NOUN Portal
- Log in to the NOUN student portal at nou.edu.ng using your matric number and password.
- Navigate to TMA in the student menu.
- Select the course you want to answer TMAs for.
- Choose the specific TMA (TMA1, TMA2, etc.).
- Read the questions carefully and answer within the allocated time.
- Click Submit before the timer or deadline expires.
- Save your confirmation page or screenshot it as proof of submission.
Important: Some students report browser compatibility issues on the TMA portal. Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the best experience. Avoid Internet Explorer and older browsers.
Common TMA Mistakes to Avoid
1. Answering Without Reading the Course Material
TMA questions are directly linked to your study units. Students who skip reading the material and guess often score poorly. Read Units 1–5 (or whatever the TMA covers) before sitting the assessment.
2. Waiting Until the Night Before the Deadline
The NOUN portal often experiences high traffic near TMA deadlines. Slow loading, session timeouts, and submission errors are common. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline.
3. Not Saving Your Confirmation
After submitting, the portal shows a confirmation. Take a screenshot. If your score doesn't appear after 24 hours, contact your study centre with proof of submission.
4. Copying Answers From Classmates
TMA questions can vary slightly between students in the same course. Copying the exact answers from a classmate may result in wrong answers for your version of the questions. Always work through the material yourself.
5. Ignoring Essay-Type TMAs
Courses in the Arts, Education, and Social Sciences often include essay-format TMAs. A short, vague answer will score poorly. Write in full paragraphs, cite from the course text, and meet the word count.
How to Prepare for Each TMA
Before the TMA Window Opens
- Complete reading all study units covered by that TMA.
- Highlight key definitions, theories, dates, and processes in your study guide.
- Jot down practice answers to self-assessment questions at the end of each unit.
When the TMA Window Opens
- Attempt the TMA within the first week — don't procrastinate.
- Answer on your own first, then review the course text to verify.
- For multiple-choice, eliminate obviously wrong options before selecting.
- For essays, structure your answer: Introduction → Main Points → Conclusion.
After Submitting
- Note your score. If it's lower than expected, identify which areas you need to review for the exam.
- Use your TMA results as a diagnostic tool — weak TMA areas often appear in the final exam.
What Happens If You Miss a TMA?
If you miss a TMA deadline, you receive a zero (0) for that assignment. There is no provision to reopen a closed TMA window, and NOUN's Academic Office does not typically grant extensions.
Here's how this affects your grade:
- Missing TMA1 in a 3-TMA course costs you approximately 10% of your final grade.
- Missing all three TMAs costs you the full 30% — making it nearly impossible to pass unless you score 50/70 or better in the exam.
If you genuinely could not submit due to a verified technical fault on NOUN's end (not your internet), contact your study centre immediately with proof — a screenshot of the error, date, and time.
TMA vs. Examination: Study Strategy
Because TMAs and exams together determine your final grade, a balanced strategy works best:
| Semester Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | Study Units 1–5 thoroughly; attempt TMA1 early |
| Weeks 5–8 | Study Units 6–10; attempt TMA2; review TMA1 feedback |
| Weeks 9–12 | Study Units 11–15; attempt TMA3; begin exam revision |
| Weeks 13–16 | Full exam revision; mock tests; practice past questions |
Summary: TMA Checklist
- Register all your courses at the start of semester
- Note TMA deadlines in your calendar for every course
- Read each study unit before attempting the TMA for that section
- Submit TMA1 within the first two weeks of its window opening
- Screenshot or save your TMA submission confirmation
- Review your score and use it to guide exam preparation
- Never share or copy exact TMA answers
Need Help With Your TMAs?
If you're struggling with a particular course, NOUN Student Hub offers course summaries and study guides to help you get through the material faster. Visit our course materials page or contact our support team on WhatsApp for personalised help.
Remember: your TMAs are 30% of your grade — treat them with the seriousness they deserve, and you'll walk into every exam with a head start.