Does class participation really count toward grades at SMU, and how does the overall assessment structure work?

Yes, class participation is formally assessed at SMU and is a core part of the institution's teaching philosophy. This is significantly different from most Indian universities where the lecture is passive and grades come from exams. At SMU, speaking up, engaging in discussions, and contributing in class is expected and graded, not optional.

• Beyond participation, every course has its own mix of group projects, presentations, a midterm, and a final exam. The exact breakdown is different for each course and professor.
• Teaching assistants are assigned to every course as class monitors. They can help students understand how the professor evaluates work and what to focus on for assessments.
• Direct professor consultations can be booked, this is a resource that is available but requires students to take initiative.
• Strategising for each course at the beginning of the semester, understanding the grading breakdown and planning accordingly, is the most effective academic habit to build early.