NEEA IELTS ONLINE REGISTRATION - IELTS candidate rules

The China IELTS Candidate Rules specify what an IELTS candidate can and cannot do, and the action that will be taken if a candidate breaks these rules. These rules constitute an integral part of the rules and regulations stipulated in the on-line IELTS Application Form.

1. Identification

The following identity documents are acceptable in registering for the IELTS test:

The non-acceptable identity documents include and are not limited to: household book, household certificate, driving license, student ID, work ID, and Hong Kong / Macao Travel Permit.

It is candidates’ responsibility to ensure that they fill in the online IELTS Application Form accurately. Candidates must ensure that the personal details (name, date of birth, ID/passport number, etc.) used during online registration for IELTS are the same as the personal details on the identity document. If the personal details provided by a candidate during online registration do not match the details on their identity document, the candidate might not be admitted to the test and may not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind.

1.2 Identification at Check-in on Test Day
On the day of the test, candidates must present the same genuine and valid identity document used for online registration at both the written test and the speaking test. If the identity document presented at the test contains personal information (i.e. name, gender, date of birth, ID/passport number, etc.) different from that provided upon registration, the candidate might not be admitted to the test and might not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind. If a candidate's identity document is lost or expired before the test date, or unavailable on the test day due to uncontrollable reasons, the candidate should contact the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) immediately and follow the instructions.

The test day personnel reserve the right to check candidates' identity documents at any time during the written and speaking test session.

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) reserves the right to establish the genuineness of a candidate’s identity before, during, or after the test. The measures include but are not limited to:

If a candidates refuses to participate in satisfactorily establishing his/her identity, the candidate will not be permitted to take the test, eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind, and may be prohibited from taking the IELTS test on future occasions. The candidate's scores will also be voided, no matter before or after Test Report Form issuance.

In cases where a dispute with a candidate about identity cannot be settled on the day of the test, the IELTS Test Supervisor reserves the right not to admit the candidate to the test. The candidate may contact the Exam Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) on the following Monday afternoon to make an appointment for a full identity check. If the identity document is found to be genuine and valid, and the candidate’s identity is verified, a free test will be arranged for the candidate at a later date. Candidates are not eligible for any other form of compensation.

2. Transfer and Cancellation
Candidates can transfer or cancel their tests before the registration cut-off date on the registration website by paying the transfer fee, or applying a partial refund.

Only under certain special circumstances candidates might be allowed to cancel their tests after the registration cut-off date, if they can provide appropriate supporting documents within the deadline set by the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General). Candidates cannot transfer their tests after the registration cut-off date.

Upon check-in for the written test, candidates must present a passport-sized photograph taken within the previous 6 months.

The photograph should have the candidate’s full name and IELTS candidate number written on the back.

Candidates may be prohibited from taking the test if they fail to present their acceptable photograph on test day. Such candidates are not eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind.

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) reserves the right to take candidates’ photographs on test day without prior notice for the purpose of further identity verification. These photographs will be used on candidates’ Test Report Forms. Candidates failing to have their photographs taken before the completion of the test will not have their Test Report Form issued. If candidates refuse to have their photographs taken, they will not be allowed to take the test, and will not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind. Candidates’ photographs will be treated as highly confidential, and be used solely in relation to the IELTS test.

Listening/Reading/Writing Tests: Test day morning session
Candidates are advised to arrive at the test venue by 8:00am to check-in into the written test room.

Speaking Test: One week before or after the written test date
The speaking test is arranged on any day one week before or after the written test date. However, it will be scheduled on the written test day afternoon or the next day whenever possible. Candidates are advised to check the speaking test time and candidate number online by visiting the IELTS online registration website ‘My Status’ page 2 days before the written test.

Candidates are advised to arrive at the test venue 30 minutes before their scheduled interview time.

Candidates should bring their identity documents, photographs, and IELTS Test Confirmation Letter to gain entry to the test venue.

Candidates are strongly encouraged not to bring personal belongings, especially valuables, to the test. While there will be an area where candidates can leave personal items, neither the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) nor the Test Centre will take responsibility for personal items. Items left in the personal belongings area are left there at the candidate’s own risk.
While there will be an area where candidates can leave personal items, neither the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) nor the Test Centre will take responsibility for personal items. Items left in the personal belongings area are left there at the candidate’s own risk.
Mandatory medicines can be brought into test rooms.

Examples of items not permitted in test rooms include and are not limited to:

Candidates may be asked to empty their pockets. They may not have access to their personal belongings during the test.

Candidates are advised to print their Confirmation Letter, check their personal information and test arrangements as early as possible. Candidates are also required to check their desk information carefully on the test day.

If a candidate finds a mistake in test arrangements (e.g. the test module is different from the one they registered for), they must report this immediately to the invigilator and follow the inviqilator's. Once the test starts, it will not be possible to deal with any enquiries about changing test arrangements.

Candidates are required to follow the invigilator’s instructions at all times and to complete the test independently. Candidates should notify the invigilator immediately if test day conditions or serious ill health in any way impede their performance. Candidates may not quit the test, use the toilet, or leave the examination room without the permission of the supervisor or invigilator.

If a candidate fails to comply with IELTS test administration rules and/or the invigilator’s instructions, or the candidate or the candidate's companion shows any verbal and/or physical offence and/or threat to the test day personnel, the IELTS test supervisor has the right to prohibit the candidate from taking any remaining part(s) of the test, and results of any completed part(s) of the test may be voided.. Such candidates will not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind, and they may be prohibited from taking IELTS tests on future occasions and liable to prosecution, depending on the severity of their breach of the exam rules.

Instances of breach of rules include and are not limited to:

Taking or attempting to take the test for someone else
Having or attempting to have someone else take the test for you
Obtainingor attempting to obtain improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test
Reproducing or attempting to reproduce any part of the test in any format / medium
Removing, or attempting to remove any materials used during the examination from the test room
Taking or attempting to take test-related information out of the test room
Passing or attempting to pass information to other people during the test
Damaging examination papers or answer sheets intentionally
Using or attempting to use improper methods to change the test scores.
Disrupting the test or disturbing other candidates
Bringing or attempting to bring prohibited items into test rooms
Opening a test booklet before being instructed to do so
Copying the work of another candidate
Passing notes to another candidate
Talking to another candidate during the test
Exchanging, lending or borrowing stationeries
Not stopping writing when instructed to do so
Quitting the test, using the toilet, or leaving the examination room without the permission of the supervisor or invigilator
Other behaviours regarded as breach of test rules by the invigilator

Candidates' Test Report Forms will be sent by EMS (limited to local/domestic service) to the address given on the on-line IELTS Application Form on the 10th working day after the written test. Candidates must ensure that the address is valid at least 1 month after the written test date. If the address is changed, candidates should contact the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) within 1 week after the written test date, and provide an ID photocopy as well as an address change application. Requests for address changes after the time specified may not be processed.

Candidates can also check their results online by visiting IELTS online registration website "My Status" page. The website information is for reference only and the test result is based on the Test Report Form solely.

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) reserves the right to delay the Test Report Form issuance or ask candidates to re-take one or more test modules under exceptional circumstances.

If candidates are dissatisfied with the test arrangements, facilities, or invigilation, or consider that their rights have been infringed in some way, they should file a complaint in writing to the IELTS Test Supervisor on the test day. Complaints made after the test day will not be accepted.

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General), IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL take all reasonable steps to provide continuity of service. However, they cannot be held responsible for any interruptions caused by circumstances beyond their control. If examinations or delivery of results are disrupted, every effort will be made to resume normal services as soon as possible. Liability of the British Council China office (operating in china as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) will be limited to the refund of the registration fee or re-testing at a later date.

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General), IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL reserve the right to amend the China IELTS Candidate Rules without prior notice to candidates. The completion of registration means that the candidates you have already carefully read and accepted the China IELTS Candidates Rules. The China IELTS Candidates Rules are legally binding on all the candidates.

If deemed necessary, the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) reserves the right to adjust the written test module sequence or change the speaking test schedule based on the test day situation without prior notice to candidates.

The interpretation of the China IELTS Candidate Rules lies with the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General).