What Is OPPE in IITM BS? Online Proctored Programming Exams

Q: If I only failed the OPPE, do I rewrite the end term?

No, as long as your T is 40 or more. You get I OP and write both OPPEs again in the next term. Your assignment, quiz and end term marks carry over.

By Editorial TeamLast reviewed 24 Sept 2026

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OPPE is the proctored programming exam that some IITM BS courses have, on top of the quizzes and the end term. A course with OPPE has two of them, called OPPE1 and OPPE2 in the handbook. If you miss the OPPE or score below the course cut-off, the course is marked I_OP. You can then retake only the OPPE in the next term and keep your other marks.

The rules are the same in the Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES) handbooks. The retake fees differ, as shown below.

What OPPE is

OPPE is short for Online Proctored Programming Exam. The handbook sometimes writes it as OPE. It sits alongside the three regular parts of a course: weekly assignments, two quizzes and the end term.

A few things the handbook does and does not tell you:

Which courses have it: the handbook does not list them in its grading sections. Your course's grading document for the term will show whether it has OPPE.
The pass line: each course sets its own OPPE cut-off. The handbook writes it as x out of 100, without a fixed number.
Levels: the DS fee table for OPPE retakes has columns for foundation, diploma and degree courses. The ES table has columns for foundation and diploma courses.

For how OPPE marks join the rest of your score, see the IITM BS grading system.

How OPPE affects your grade

The handbook has a table that links your OPPE result, your end term and your total score T. Here it is in simpler form.

Your OPPE	Your end term	Your T	Result
Above cut-off	Written	40 or more	Normal grade. Pass, if other course rules are met
Above cut-off	Written	Below 40	U. Repeat the full course
Above cut-off	Missed	Any	I. Write only the end term next term
Below cut-off	Written	40 or more	I_OP. Retake the OPPE next term
Below cut-off	Written	Below 40	U. Repeat the full course
Below cut-off	Missed	Any	I. Retake the OPPE and the end term
Missed	Written	35 or more	I_OP. Retake the OPPE next term
Missed	Written	Below 35	U. Repeat the full course
Missed	Missed	Any	U. Repeat the full course

Look at the rows where you missed the OPPE. The line between an I grade and a U grade there is 35, not 40.

One conflict to know about. The handbook's main grade table says that missing both the end term and the OPPE gives I_BOTH. That grade lets you write both next term. But its OPPE retake table, shown above, says missing both gives U and a full repeat. Both handbooks have this conflict. If this happens to you, confirm with the support team before you register.

In every I case, you also have the option to repeat the full course instead.

Retaking the OPPE: what you write and what you pay

What you register for decides which exams are scheduled for you in the next term:

Retake the end term only: no OPPE is held for you.
Retake the OPPE only: both OPPEs are held. Your assignment, quiz and end term marks carry over.
Retake the OPPE and the end term: you write OPPE1, OPPE2 and the end term. Your assignment and quiz marks carry over.

Fees per course:

What you retake	DS foundation	DS diploma or degree	ES foundation or diploma
OPPE only	Rs 1,000	Rs 2,000	Rs 2,000
OPPE and end term	Rs 2,000	Rs 4,000	Rs 2,000
End term only	Rs 1,000	Rs 2,000	Rs 2,000
Full course (after a U)	Course fee	Course fee	Course fee

For make-up rules that apply to all courses, see our make-up exam guide. For U grades, see repeating a course.

OPPE eligibility when you retake it

The handbook talks about students being "OPPE eligible" or "OPPE ineligible". A rule updated on 5 January 2026, marked as applying from the January 2026 term, explains what happens on a retake:

Students who were OPPE eligible, got I_OP in the September 2025 term and registered to retake the OPPE in January 2026 stayed eligible.
Students who were marked OPPE ineligible (with I_OP or I_BOTH) had to earn eligibility again in the new term. They had to submit the required assignments and the OPPE SCT.
If they did not, no OPPE was scheduled for them and they got a U grade.

So registering for an OPPE retake does not make you eligible by itself. The handbook does not spell out the normal OPPE eligibility rule in these sections, so check your course's grading document.

What you need for a proctored exam

The handbooks list these needs for online proctored exams:

The latest version of Chrome (the handbook calls it desirable).
A mobile phone with a front camera and a good internet connection. The DS handbook calls VoLTE ideal. The ES handbook asks for at least 4G.
A mic and speaker, so you can talk to and hear the person on the other side.
Any app you are asked to install for the exam.

Every student must also take the system compatibility test on the dates the admin team sets. Our post on laptop and system requirements covers the full list.

The grading sections do not give OPPE dates. Check our exam dates for 2026 to 2030.

Common questions

If I only failed the OPPE, do I rewrite the end term?

No, as long as your T is 40 or more. You get I_OP and write both OPPEs again in the next term. Your assignment, quiz and end term marks carry over.

Does every IITM BS course have an OPPE?

No. The handbook lists three regular parts for every course: assignments, quizzes and the end term. OPPE is an extra part in some courses. The grading document will show if your course has one.

What does OPPE SCT mean?

The handbook uses the term without explaining it. It says ineligible students retaking the OPPE had to submit the OPPE SCT to regain eligibility. It also says every student must take a system compatibility test. Ask the support team what your course needs.