If you are a new student at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), one of the most important academic components you must understand is TMA.

Every semester, many students lose marks or end up with an Incomplete Result simply because they did not properly understand how TMA works.

This guide explains everything — from registration requirements to submission rules — in clear and simple language.

1. What is TMA?

TMA stands for Tutor-Marked Assessment.

It is NOUN’s form of continuous assessment. Unlike conventional universities where students write class tests physically, NOUN conducts its continuous assessment online through the e-learning portal.

TMA is not optional. It is a compulsory academic requirement that contributes directly to your final semester grade.

2. Why is TMA Important?

TMA carries 30% of your total course mark.

The grading structure is:

👉 TMA 1 – 10 marks

👉 TMA 2 – 10 marks

👉 TMA 3 – 10 marks

👉  Final Exam – 70 marks

👉  Total = 100 marks

Your final course grade is calculated as:

TMA (30%) + Exam (70%) = Final Result

This final result affects your CGPA.

If you ignore TMA:

👉 You cannot get a complete result

👉 Even if you write the exam, your result will show as Incomplete

👉 You may have to carry the course over

3. When Does TMA Start?

For the 2026 session, TMA officially begins on 2nd March 2026.

TMA usually remains open while semester registration is still active. Because of late registrations, it may remain accessible until registration closes.

However, students are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute.

4. Who is Eligible to Attempt TMA?

To see and attempt your TMA, you must:

👉 Complete course registration

👉 Complete exam registration

👉 Have access to your NOUN student login details

TMA does not appear immediately after course registration. It appears after exam registration.

Sometimes it may take a few days to reflect on the portal.

If your TMA is not showing:

👉 Do not panic

👉 Keep checking regularly

5. Where Do You Access TMA?

TMA is accessed through the NOUN e-learning portal:

👉 https://elearn.nou.edu.ng/login/index.php

Freshers should check their school email address for login details.

If you cannot access your login details, you should resolve that immediately before TMA deadline approaches.

6. Can TMA Be Done With a Phone?

Yes.

You can attempt TMA using:

👉 A smartphone

👉 A laptop

👉 Any web browser

However, Google Chrome is generally more stable and recommended for better performance.

7. Structure of TMA Questions

Each TMA usually contains 10 questions.

These may include:

👉 Objective questions (multiple choice)

👉 Subjective questions (short answers)

Recently, some courses introduced Pilot Questions, especially in TMA 3.

What Are Pilot Questions?

Pilot questions are descriptive in nature.

Examples include:

👉 List and explain

👉 Describe

👉 Discuss

👉 Outline

These questions require you to type your answer in detail rather than selecting options.

Important: Not all courses use pilot questions. It depends on the course.

8. Can You Attempt TMA Multiple Times?

Yes.

You can attempt and review your TMA multiple times before final submission.

However, once you click “Submit All”, your answers become final.

There is:

👉 No editing

👉 No correction

👉 No second attempt

Always double-check before submitting.

9. Is There a Time Limit?

No.

There is:

👉 No countdown timer

👉 No automatic submission

You can:

👉 Save your progress

👉 Continue later

10. What If Network Fails?

If your internet disconnects while answering:

When the network is restored, you can continue from where you stopped.

However, avoid unstable networks close to the deadline.

11. Can You Login on Two Devices?

Yes, but:

When you are active on one device, the other device will automatically log out.

Avoid switching devices repeatedly during submission.

12. Why Is It Showing “No Question Available”?

This may mean:

👉 The course questions have not been uploaded

👉 The course has no TMA

👉 There is a system delay

To stay safe, continue checking until the TMA officially closes.

13. What Happens If You Miss TMA?

If you miss TMA:

​​​​​​​👉 Your result becomes Incomplete

👉 Writing the exam will not complete it

👉 You may need to re-register the course

Sometimes management may reopen TMA, but this is not guaranteed.|

There is no late penalty, but once it officially closes, submission is no longer possible.

14. Can You Do TMA During Exam Period?

If TMA remains open during exam period, you can still access it.

However, students are strongly advised to complete all TMAs before exams begin.

15. Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Many new students:

👉 Register courses but forget exam registration

👉 Wait until last day to attempt TMA

👉 Submit without reviewing answers

👉 Ignore TMA thinking exam alone is enough

These mistakes can affect your academic progress.

Final Advice to Every NOUN Fresher

To have a smooth semester:

👉 Register courses early

👉 Register exams early

👉 Attempt all TMAs immediately they open

👉 Submit carefully after reviewing

👉 Prepare well for exams

TMA is not something to postpone.

Completing it early reduces stress and protects your grades.