Cleared the IITM BS Qualifier? How Many Courses You Can Take

Once you clear the IITM BS qualifier, the number of foundation courses you can take in your first term depends on your qualifier marks: 2 courses if the marks are below 50, 3 if they are 50 to below 70, and 4 if they are 70 or more. If you passed in the first exam of the term and choose to continue in that same term, your limit is 4. This limit is called the Credit Clearing Capability (CCC).

Your options for when to start

The rules are written the same way in the Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES) handbooks.

Joining in the same term

If you pass the first qualifier exam of a term, you can register right away and continue the courses to completion in that same term. In this case your qualifier exam score is used as your Quiz 1 score when your final course score is worked out, and your CCC is set to 4 by default.

This is the fastest way to start. The trade-off is that your qualifier exam marks become your Quiz 1 marks, so they feed straight into your course scores.

If you pass only in the second exam of the term (at the end of week 8), this option is closed. You start from the next term.

Joining in a later term

You can also wait and register in a later term, as long as your qualifier score is still valid. The score is valid for 3 terms after the exam. The joining section of the handbook words this as "the next 2 terms", which does not fully match. Read how long the qualifier score is valid before you plan a long gap.

In your first term right after the qualifier exam, your qualifier exam score and your qualifier assignment scores are carried into the courses you register for. The exam score counts as your Quiz 1 score and the assignment scores count as your first 4 assignment scores.

How your course limit is worked out

The handbooks say your first term limit is decided by your qualifier marks. The bands are:

From term 2, the limit is based on the average marks of the courses you passed in the previous term. From term 3 onwards, it uses the courses you passed in the previous two terms. The full rules are in Credit Clearing Capability explained.

CCC is set to 4 by default for:

• Students who register in the same term as their qualifier exam.
• JEE entry students in their first term.
• Everyone at the diploma and degree levels.

Is the limit strict? DS and ES differ

• DS: the DS handbook says CCC is a suggestion and not mandatory. But its own table calls it the maximum number of courses you are permitted to register for, and the registration steps say you can register for courses up to your CCC. So the handbook is not consistent. Check what the portal allows when you register.
• ES: the ES handbook calls it the number of courses you are permitted to register for. Its registration steps also say the maximum is four theory courses.

Other rules for your first registration

• You can only register for courses whose prerequisites you have cleared. For example, Maths 2 needs Maths 1.
• In DS, you can take any course within your current level, but not courses from two different levels at once.
• You pay only for the credits you register for.

For how to split courses across terms, see IITM BS learning paths. For the steps on the portal, see how to register for courses.

Common questions

Can I register for fewer courses than my limit?

Yes. CCC is a maximum. The registration rules say you can register for any number of courses up to your CCC, so taking fewer is allowed.

I qualified with an average of 68. How many courses can I take next term?

If your qualifier marks are used as M, 68 falls in the 50 to below 70 band, so your limit is 3. If you had passed the first exam and joined in the same term, it would be 4 by default.

What if I fail all my courses in the first term?

Then your limit for the next term is 2. If you pass at least one course, the next limit is worked out from the marks table. If you are absent for the final exam of every course, your limit stays the same as in your last term.