The American education system offers unimaginative flexibility and unbelievable facilities for research and self-development. You are free to choose your 'credits' according to your physical, intellectual and financial capabilities. Student-workers may take longer time to complete a degree program vis-à-vis a full time student.

Moreover, depending on your personal habits (getting up early or late), you may choose the time of a course that is offered twice or thrice in a day. In other words, you can make your own timetable to suit your needs and preferences. The normal pattern for an average American student is to take 5 courses per semester; each course meets thrice a week, with each meeting lasting 50 minutes. Students are expected to study two hours out of each hour in the class.

Use of libraries, laboratories and audio-visual equipment is extensively made as tools of learning. Research papers called 'term papers' are required to be prepared in certain courses. The teaching method of the same course may vary from teacher to teacher. Some may prefer in certain courses. The teaching method of the same course may vary from teacher to teacher. Some may prefer straight lectures, some would like to undertake case-study whereas some would encourage role-playing and field work. The case-method, used originally in law schools, is being increasingly employed as a means of instruction in business administration and the social sciences. Basically, it presents the students with a series of specific practical situations, which require solution. Precedents, additional facts and good theory are drawn solution. Precedents, additional facts and good theory are drawn upon to solve the problem. Cases may be discussed in class. A written report, giving a reasoned solution for the situation, is usually also required.

Time for study
American students are required to study hard with daily average reading of 75 to 100 pages. In some colleges, these are specified study periods in the evening. In most institutions, the student is left free to study as and when he pleases. However, as a prescribed course of study must be covered to obtain a degree, students are compelled to study of their own accord. When a student is properly motivated the compulsion to study comes from within that is the general American ideal.

For the undergraduate or the graduate and research student the library of the American University is near the heart of the academic life. With its extensive, well-catalogued collections, its inviting halls, its browsing room, and its helpful librarians, it is a place where he gladly spends a good deal of his time.

Teaching methods
Much of the instruction in colleges and universities is given by the lecture method. Professors skilled in this form of teaching, lecture to groups ranging form 50 to 100 or more. In order to measure the progress of individual students as well as to permit their active participation, the larger classes are often divided into discussion groups of 10 to 25 students. Each discussion group meets once or twice a week with an assistant or associate, to discuss the lectures and the assigned reading and to clear up questions about material covered in the lectures. To develop initiative and to challenge the student's reasoning and organising powers, some instructors assign projects for the students to investigate and report upon.

Professor-student relationship: Relations between students and teachers tend to be informal Students are often invited to professor's homes for tea or dinner, where discussions are continued. The respect given to the professor by the student does not necessarily present a barrier nor preclude social intercourse. The closeness of the relation between teacher and student generally varies with the size of the institution.

Personal guidance to students is provided in one or more of the following manners.
1. Students are assigned to a faculty adviser who assists them in selecting the courses to fulfill their degree requirements.
2. Many colleges have the system of upper class students assisting the new student to adjust to the new college environment.
3. Many universities have, in addition, a foreign student adviser.
4. Many institutions have guidance counselors who study individual pupils thoroughly and advise them on their choice of courses, out-of-class activities, plans for further education and their vocation. Counselors confer with pupils, parents and teachers about the qualifications and problems of individual students. The role of the counselor is purely advisory and finally decisions are left to the parents and students.

Study evaluation/Grade Point Average (GPA)In many colleges, careful cumulative records covering observations of personality, character, health and physical fitness and extracurricular activities as well as academic progress are kept for each student and are used by various personnel officers and instructors in guiding the students development.

The quality of the student's achievement is indicated by marks assigned by the instructor. The most common method of marking is on a five-point scale, with letter grades indicating the various levels of quality.

The highest mark usually is "A" indicating very superior accomplishment.
"B" indicates work that is above average.
"C" indicates average quality.
"D" indicates work that is of passing grade but below average.
"F" is used to designate work that is not of passing quality.
Other marks are "Inc." for incomplete, in which case the student will receive a letter grade after completing some work that was unfinished at the end of the course.
"Def" for deferred, which indicates that the student's grade is withheld until the instructor takes
some action.
"Wi" for withdraw, indicating that the student withdrew before the end of the term.

Colleges typically require the student to maintain grades of a designated average quality in order to be graduated or remain in school. The common plan is to assign certain "quality" points for each of the letter grades, for example: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. The student's total "quality points" are calculated by multiplying the grade points associated with the marks received in each course by the number of credit hours assigned to that course, and summing these products for all the courses or which the student has been registered.

It is advisable not to convert your marks in the Indian system of grading to the American Grade Point Average (GPA) system since the conversion will not be accurate. You may attach an explanatory note from your college to indicate your rank in your class and/or university. The letter may also indicate your place as compared to the class and the university average and the number of students in the class and the number of colleges and students in the University.

Examination System:
There is in most cases no system of external examinations. The professor who gives the course is responsible for preparing the examination and grading it. Final examinations are given at the end of the course (semester or quarter); they are usually written and last from two to three hours. Moreover, a mid-term examination, also written and lasting one hours, is usually given. In addition, many professors give weekly quizzes. In undergraduate classes, most examinations are undertaken by objective methods (multiple-choice questions).

The final grade is usually based on the instructor's judgement, which takes into account not only the several examinations given, but also written papers, participation in oral discussions, field and laboratory work. Frequently, the final term examination counts for about one/third in determining the course grade.

The bachelor's degree is ordinarily awarded on the successful completion of the various undergraduate courses, without further general examinations. General examinations are sometimes required for the B.A. degree, the Master's degree and customarily for the Ph.D. degree.