IGNOU BCOLA 138 Business Communication: Assignment, Question Papers and Study Blocks
Part of IGNOU Study Material: IGNOU Study Material 2026: How to Check Book Status and Download eSLM PDF?
BCOLA 138 Business Communication at a glance
| Detail | BCOLA 138 |
|---|---|
| Course code | BCOLA 138 |
| Course title | Business Communication |
| Credits | 6 |
| Study hours | 180 hours |
| Course type | Theory |
| Programme (term) | CEVMT |
| Programme medium | English & Hindi |
| Study blocks | 5 blocks on eGyanKosh |
| Term-end exams | June and December |
| Assignment code | BCOLA -138/TMA/2025 |
| Assignment last date | June 2025: 15 March 2025; December 2025: 15 October 2025 |
| Term-end exam | 3 Hours, 100 marks (June 2026 paper) |
BCOLA 138 subject name and where it sits in IGNOU CEVMT
BCOLA 138 is Business Communication. It is a 6-credit theory course, requiring 180 hours of learner study. This course is part of the IGNOU Certificate in Event Management (CEVMT) programme, offered through the School of Continuing Education (SOCE) in both English and Hindi mediums.
In the CEVMT programme, BCOLA 138 is studied alongside other courses. These include BHC 011 Basics of Event Management (4 credits), BHC 012 Event Planning (4 credits), BHC 013 Event Coordination and Control (4 credits), and BHCP 012 Project in Event Design (2 credits).
The whole programme: IGNOU CEVMT fees, eligibility and admission.
BCOLA 138 syllabus: the 5 study blocks on eGyanKosh
BCOLA 138 Business Communication is a 6-credit theory course. It has five study blocks on eGyanKosh. The first block, Basic Concepts of Business Communication, introduces fundamental ideas. This foundation is necessary for the practical skills covered later.
The second block, Business Correspondence, builds on these concepts by focusing on written communication. Following this, Report Writing, the third block, develops skills for structured business documents. The fourth block, Vocabulary For Business Writing, enhances the language proficiency needed for effective communication. Finally, Conferencing and Preparing for Job Market, the fifth block, covers oral communication and career readiness, applying the principles from the earlier blocks.
The 5 blocks hold 19 units between them:
- Block 1: Basic Concepts of Business Communication
- Unit 1: An Introduction to Communication
- Unit 2: Types of Communication
- Unit 3: An introduction to Business Communication
- Unit 4: Purpose of Business Communication
- Unit 5: Channels of Business Communication
- Block 2: Business Correspondence
- Unit 6: Principles of Letter Writing
- Unit 7: Business Correspondence-I
- Unit 8: Business Correspondence-II
- Unit 9: Meetings-I
- Unit 10: Meetings-II
- Block 3: Report Writing
- Unit 11: Business Reports
- Unit 12: Process of Writing a Report
- Unit 13: Precis Writing
- Block 4: Vocabulary For Business Writing
- Unit 14: Some Business Terms-I
- Unit 15: Some Business Terms-II
- Unit 16: Words Often Confused
- Unit 17: Words Often Misspelt
- Block 5: Conferencing and Preparing for Job Market
- Unit 18: Voice Mail, Video Conferencing and Conference Calls
- Unit 19: Preparing for Job Market
Getting the printed books and e-books: IGNOU study material.
BCOLA 138 assignment: download, submission and marks
IGNOU posts each session’s assignment files programme by programme on its assignments page at webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments. No BCOLA 138 file is currently listed there.
Assignments are compulsory for BCOLA 138.
Other IGNOU programmes may also carry BCOLA 138.
A failed assignment must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
BCOLA 138 assignment questions: 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025
Assignment BCOLA -138/TMA/2025 has 12 questions. Together they carry 100 marks. The instruction on the file: “Attempt all the questions.”
| Q. | Question | Marks | Unit to read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is meant by barriers to communication? Explain different types of intrapersonal barriers | 10 | Unit 1: An Introduction to Communication Block 1: Basic Concepts of Business Communication |
| 2 | What is meant by oral communication? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages. How can oral communication skills be improved? | 10 | Unit 2: Types of Communication Block 1: Basic Concepts of Business Communication |
| 3 | What do you understand by written channel? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages | 10 | Unit 2: Types of Communication Block 1: Basic Concepts of Business Communication |
| 4 | What are the essentials of business letters? | 10 | Unit 6: Principles of Letter Writing Block 2: Business Correspondence |
| 5 | What is postal life insurance scheme? Describe its salient features | 10 | Unit 8: Business Correspondence-II Block 2: Business Correspondence |
| 6 | What is the role of the secretary? | 6 | Unit 9: Meetings-I Block 2: Business Correspondence |
| 7 | Define a resolution. How does it differ from a motion? What is the effect of a resolution as regards members? | 6 | Unit 10: Meetings-II Block 2: Business Correspondence |
| 8 | What are academic reports? Discuss its important parts | 6 | Unit 11: Business Reports Block 3: Report Writing |
| 9 | Discuss various steps in writing a précis | 6 | Unit 13: Precis Writing Block 3: Report Writing |
| 10 | Discuss briefly different types of visual aids commonly used for business presentation | 6 | Unit 11: Business Reports Block 3: Report Writing |
| 11 | Distinguish between the following
|
10 | – |
| 12 | Write short notes on the following
|
10 | – |
Questions as printed in IGNOU’s file: BCOLA 138 assignment PDF. Check the Assignments page before you write, since IGNOU replaces the file each year.
Assignment rules that apply to every IGNOU course: front page format, paper and margin rules, binding and envelope and checking assignment status.
IGNOU student services
BCOLA 138 question papers and the term-end exam
IGNOU posts previous term-end question papers for BCOLA 138 Business Communication on its Previous Question Papers page. These papers are arranged by programme and course. The university conducts term-end examinations twice a year, in June and December, across examination centres throughout the country and abroad.
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). Students may write the exam in Hindi even if they registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE).
IGNOU does not publish a list of “important questions” for BCOLA 138. The university uploads hall tickets on its website; they are not sent by post (July 2026). Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible for re-evaluation. A copy of the answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026).
BCOLA 138 previous year question papers
The last 6 term-end papers on IGNOU’s question paper site:
| Exam | Questions on the paper | Official file |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
| December 2025 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
| June 2025 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
| June 2024 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
| December 2023 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
| June 2023 | 8 | Question paper PDF |
BCOLA 138 exam pattern
The June 2026 paper runs 3 hours and carries 100 marks. The instruction at the top reads: “(i) Answer any five questions. (ii) All questions carry equal marks.”
BCOLA 138 topics asked in more than one exam
Read across the 6 papers, these subjects came back:
| Topic | Asked in | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Importance of business communication in an organization | December 2025, June 2024, December 2023 | Unit 3: An introduction to Business Communication |
| Principles and structure of business letters | June 2026, June 2025, June 2023 | Unit 6: Principles of Letter Writing |
| Writing business letters to bank management | December 2025, June 2024, June 2023 | Unit 8: Business Correspondence-II |
| Writing complaint letters for undelivered parcels or goods | June 2024, December 2023, June 2023 | Unit 7: Business Correspondence-I |
| Formal and informal channels of business communication | June 2025, June 2024, December 2023 | Unit 5: Channels of Business Communication |
| Requisites and rules governing a valid meeting | December 2025, June 2025, June 2024 | Unit 9: Meetings-I |
| Preparation and process of business report writing | June 2026, December 2025, June 2024 | Unit 11: Business Reports |
| Types and application of visual presentation aids | December 2025, June 2024, December 2023 | Unit 11: Business Reports |
| Business plan purpose and key components | December 2025, June 2025, June 2024 | Unit 14: Some Business Terms-I |
| Conference calls and preparations required | June 2026, June 2024, December 2023 | Unit 18: Voice Mail, Video Conferencing and Conference Calls |
| Barriers to communication and methods to overcome them | June 2026, June 2025, December 2023 | Unit 1: An Introduction to Communication |
| Preparation of job application letters and curriculum vitae | December 2025, December 2023, June 2023 | Unit 19: Preparing for Job Market |
How the questions in these papers spread over the blocks (44 of 48 questions match a unit):
| Block | Questions |
|---|---|
| Block 1: Basic Concepts of Business Communication | 14 |
| Block 2: Business Correspondence | 14 |
| Block 3: Report Writing | 7 |
| Block 4: Vocabulary For Business Writing | 3 |
| Block 5: Conferencing and Preparing for Job Market | 6 |
For the exam itself: previous year question papers by programme, the exam form, the date sheet and results and grade card.
Official IGNOU links for BCOLA 138
- eGyanKosh: BCOLA-138 Business Communication
- IGNOU previous term-end question papers
- IGNOU assignments page
Common IGNOU Questions
How many credits is BCOLA 138 Business Communication?
BCOLA 138 Business Communication carries 6 credits. This means you should plan for 180 hours of study, as one IGNOU credit equals 30 hours of learner study.
Where can I find the study blocks for BCOLA 138 Business Communication?
The study material for BCOLA 138 Business Communication is available on eGyanKosh. It is organised into 5 blocks: Basic Concepts, Business Correspondence, Report Writing, Vocabulary For Business Writing, and Conferencing and Preparing for Job Market.
Is BCOLA 138 Business Communication part of other IGNOU programmes?
Yes, BCOLA 138 Business Communication is listed in the course table for the IGNOU Certificate in Event Management (CEVMT). It is offered through the School of Continuing Education (SOCE) in both English and Hindi mediums.
Which courses are in the same term as BCOLA 138 in the Certificate in Event Management?
In the Certificate in Event Management, BCOLA 138 (6 credits) is taken alongside BHC 011 Basics of Event Management (4 credits), BHC 012 Event Planning (4 credits), BHC 013 Event Coordination and Control (4 credits), and BHCP 012 Project in Event Design (2 credits).
Where do I submit my BCOLA 138 assignments?
You must submit your Tutor Marked Assignments for BCOLA 138 to the Coordinator of your Learner Support Centre. Assignments are compulsory and must be submitted before you can take the Term-End Examination.
Where can I download the BCOLA 138 assignment file for the current session?
IGNOU’s file for the 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025 is here (PDF), assignment code BCOLA -138/TMA/2025. Its questions are listed in the assignment section of this page, each with the unit that covers it. Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of your Learner Support Centre.
Where can I find previous question papers for BCOLA 138 Business Communication?
Previous term-end question papers for BCOLA 138 are available on IGNOU's Previous Question Papers page (webservices.ignou.ac.in/Pre-Question). They are arranged by programme and course for easy access.