Finding out you have a carry over in a course can be a stressful experience for any Nigerian university student. A “carry over” means you did not pass a particular course and must retake it in the next academic session. Knowing your status early is crucial so you can plan, re-register, and prepare to pass the course. Here is a simple, straightforward guide on how to check if you have any carry over courses.
What Exactly is a Carry Over?
Before we look at how to check, let’s be clear on what a carry over is. In Nigerian universities, each course has a pass mark, usually 40% or 45% for some schools. If your total score in a course—adding your continuous assessment (CA) and exam score—falls below this mark, you have failed that course. When you fail a course, it becomes a “carry over.” You must register for and retake that specific course the next time it is offered, usually in the next academic session. You pay for it again and sit for the exam. If you fail again, it becomes a “repeat.”
Difference Between Carry Over and Repeat
A lot of students mix these up. A carry over is when you fail a course for the first time. You just carry it over to the next level or session to retake it. A repeat is much more serious. It means you failed the same course again after carrying it over. Sometimes, repeating can affect your student status or even lead to an extra year in school (carryover year). Knowing which one you have is important.
How to Check for Carry Over Courses: Step-by-Step
You don’t have to wait for your department to call you. There are a few reliable ways to find out your results and see if you have any carry overs.
1. Check Your Student Portal (The Main Method)
This is the most common and official way. Every university has an online student portal or portal.
- Log in: Go to your university’s official website. Find the student portal link (e.g., portal.universityname.edu.ng). Enter your registration number and password.
- Navigate to Results: Look for a section called “Academic Records,” “My Results,” “Course Registration,” or “Result Slip.”
- View Semester Results: Select the academic session and semester (e.g., 2024/2025 Session, First Semester). Your results for all registered courses will display.
- Identify the Fail: Look at the “Grade” or “Score” column. If you see an “F” (Fail), “ABS” (Absent from exam), or a numerical score below the pass mark (like 39/100), that course is a carry over. The portal might even have a special section listing “Carry Over Courses” or “Outstanding Courses.”
2. Check Your Department’s Notice Board
Even in the digital age, many university departments still paste the final results for all students on a physical notice board. This is common for releasing final year or semester results.
- Go to your department’s office or the main notice board area.
- Look for a list with student registration numbers and grades. Find your name and check your scores.
- Sometimes, they paste a separate list specifically for students with carry overs. Check for your name there.
3. Ask Your Academic Advisor or Level Coordinator
If you are confused by the portal or cannot find the information, your academic advisor or level coordinator can help.
- Send them a polite and formal email or visit during their office hours.
- Provide your full name and registration number.
- Ask directly: “Good morning, sir/ma. I would like to inquire if I have any carry over courses for the last semester. My reg number is XYZ.”
4. Contact Your Faculty Officer
The faculty office handles student academic records. They can provide an official printout of your academic standing, which will clearly show any failed courses.
5. Check Your Course Registration Portal for the New Session
When it’s time to register for courses for a new semester, your carry over courses will often appear automatically in your registration portal. They might be pre-selected or listed in a separate box for you to add. If you see a course you took previously appearing again as available to register, it’s a strong sign you have a carry over in it.
What to Do Immediately After Finding a Carry Over
Don’t panic. Follow these steps to handle it properly.
- Confirm the Score: Double-check the result on the official portal or with your department to avoid errors.
- Find Out Why You Failed: Was it poor CA scores? Did you fail the exam? Knowing the reason helps you prepare better for the retake.
- Re-register for the Course: When course registration opens for the next session, you MUST register for that carry over course again. You will pay the associated fees. Do not assume it will be added for you automatically; you must do it yourself.
- Get the Course Material: Get the current course outline, recommended textbooks, and past questions. Things might have changed slightly.
- Attend Lectures: Make a strong effort to attend all classes for the carry over course. It shows commitment and helps you understand the material.
- Focus on Continuous Assessment: Do all assignments, tests, and lab work. Build a strong CA score to take pressure off the final exam.
Common Mistakes Students Make with Carry Overs
- Ignoring It: Hoping it will go away. It won’t. It will stop you from graduating on time.
- Not Re-registering: Forgetting to officially register and pay for the course in the next session. This means you won’t be allowed to sit for the exam.
- Clashing of Lectures/Exams: The carry over class or exam might clash with your normal courses. Report this to your academic advisor immediately for help.
- Poor Preparation (Again): Not studying properly for the retake and ending up with a repeat.
People Also Ask
Will a carry over stop me from going to the next level?
Usually, you can move to the next level (e.g., from 200 level to 300 level) with a few carry overs. However, you must pass them before you can graduate. But if you have too many carry overs (exceeding the university’s limit, often 4 or 5), you might be asked to repeat the whole year or withdraw. Check your university’s academic regulations.
Can I write carry over exams without re-registering?
No, you cannot. You must officially re-register for the course in the new session and pay any required fees. If you don’t register, your name won’t be on the exam list.
Do carry overs affect my CGPA?
Yes, they do. When you fail a course, you get 0 grade points for it, which pulls down your CGPA. When you retake and pass, the new, better grade replaces the fail in the CGPA calculation. This is why passing the retake is so important for your final grade.
How many times can I carry over a course?
Most universities allow you to retake a failed course (carry over) once. If you fail it again, it becomes a “repeat,” and the rules become stricter. You may be required to repeat the entire academic year.
Where can I find my university’s pass mark?
This is in your university’s academic handbook or calendar, which is usually available on the school website. The pass mark is often 40% (E grade) or 45% (D grade) depending on the school.
Final Advice
Finding a carry over is not the end of the world, but it is a serious warning sign. The key is to find out early through your student portal, take action by re-registering, and commit to passing the course the second time. Attend classes, study the material, and focus on doing well in the continuous assessments. Handle it responsibly so it doesn’t delay your graduation or become a bigger problem.