Semester System
KIIT follows a semester system with two semesters per academic year:
- Odd Semester (Semester 1, 3, 5, 7): August – December
- Even Semester (Semester 2, 4, 6, 8): January – May
Each semester is approximately 16-18 weeks long, including exam weeks. A B.Tech program has 8 semesters over 4 years.
Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
KIIT uses CBCS as per UGC guidelines. This means:
- Core Courses: Mandatory for your branch (e.g., Data Structures for CSE)
- Elective Courses: You choose from a list (available from 5th semester onwards)
- Open Electives: Courses from other departments you can take
- Lab/Practical: Hands-on courses with separate credits
- Minor Courses: Optional specialization in a secondary area
Each course has assigned credits (typically 3-4 for theory, 1-2 for labs). You need a minimum total credit to graduate (typically 160-170 credits for B.Tech).
Good to know
In 1st and 2nd semester, all courses are fixed (no electives). Choice starts from 5th semester — that's when faculty reviews become crucial for section selection.
Grading System & SGPA
KIIT uses a 10-point grading scale:
| Grade | Grade Point | Marks Range |
|---|---|---|
| O (Outstanding) | 10 | 90-100 |
| E (Excellent) | 9 | 80-89 |
| A (Very Good) | 8 | 70-79 |
| B (Good) | 7 | 60-69 |
| C (Average) | 6 | 50-59 |
| D (Below Average) | 5 | 40-49 |
| F (Fail) | 0 | Below 40 |
SGPA Calculation
SGPA = Sum of (Credit × Grade Point) / Total Credits in that semester
Example: If you have 5 courses with credits 4, 4, 3, 3, 2 and grades A, E, B, O, A: SGPA = (4×8 + 4×9 + 3×7 + 3×10 + 2×8) / (4+4+3+3+2) = 135/16 = 8.44
Attendance Rules
KIIT enforces a 75% minimum attendance policy:
- Below 75%: Debarred from end-semester exam for that subject
- 60-75%: May get a warning; some leniency with medical certificate
- Above 85%: Some professors give bonus marks (1-2%)
- Attendance tracked via biometric/manual in each class
Important
Attendance is tracked per subject, not overall. You could have 90% in 4 subjects but be debarred in 1 subject where you have 70%. Track each subject separately.
Proxy attendance is taken seriously — if caught, both students (proxy giver and taker) face disciplinary action.
Exam Pattern
Marks distribution in a typical KIIT course:
| Component | Weightage | When |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Assessment (Quizzes, Assignments) | 20% | Throughout semester |
| Mid-Semester Exam | 30% | Week 8-9 |
| End-Semester Exam | 50% | Week 16-18 |
Exam Format
- Mid-sem: 1.5 hours, typically 5 questions (answer 3-4)
- End-sem: 3 hours, 8-10 questions (answer 5-6), more comprehensive
- Lab exams: Practical + viva, conducted separately
Pro tip
Don't underestimate internals (20%). Consistent quiz performance and submitted assignments can be the difference between a B and an A grade.
Join 10,000+ KIIT Students on KIITConnect
Free notes, PYQs, faculty reviews, SGPA calculator, section swapping, and more — everything you'll need once classes start.
Backlogs & Supplementary Exams
If you score below passing marks (40%) in any subject, you get a "backlog":
- Supplementary Exam: Held before the next semester starts (you can clear it immediately)
- Summer Term: Some backlogs can be cleared in a special summer session
- Re-registration: If you fail supplementary too, you re-register the course next year
- Maximum backlogs: Having too many active backlogs (8+) may lead to year-back
Good to know
Having 1-2 backlogs is common and not the end of the world. Clear them in supplementary exams promptly. Companies during placements care about final CGPA, not backlog history (as long as they're cleared).
Branch Change Policy
KIIT allows branch changes after the first year:
- Eligibility: SGPA of 8.5+ in first year (both semesters)
- Process: Apply to academic office → preference list → allotment based on SGPA rank
- Seats: Limited (usually 5-10% of branch intake)
- Fee difference: If new branch has higher fee, difference must be paid
- One-time only: You can change branch only once
Branch change is competitive. If you're targeting CSE from another branch, aim for 9.0+ SGPA to be safe.
Academic Calendar (Typical)
| Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| Late July | Reporting & Orientation |
| August | Classes begin (Odd Semester) |
| September-October | Mid-Semester Exams |
| November | Dussehra/Diwali break (~1 week) |
| December | End-Semester Exams |
| Late Dec – Mid Jan | Winter Break (~3 weeks) |
| January | Even Semester begins |
| March | Mid-Semester Exams |
| March-April | Holi break + cultural fest |
| May | End-Semester Exams |
| June – July | Summer Break (~6-7 weeks) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Join 10,000+ KIIT Students on KIITConnect
Free notes, PYQs, faculty reviews, SGPA calculator, section swapping, and more — everything you'll need once classes start.