China IELTS Candidate Rules

The China IELTS Candidate Rules constitutes an integral part of the rules and regulations stipulated in the online IELTS Application Form. IELTS candidates must read and understand these rules before completing the online application. Please contact the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) for further enquiries. The completion of registration means that the candidates have already carefully read and accepted the China IELTS Candidate Rules. The China IELTS Candidate Rules is legally binding on all candidates.

Identification Document Requirements

IELTS registration will only accept the following identification documents: Chinese nationals from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao must register for the IELTS test with either a valid and current national ID Card, or a valid and current Chinese Passport; Chinese candidates from Taiwan must only register with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. Chinese military service personnel can register with a valid military service personnel document or valid and current national ID Card. Foreign nationals must register with a valid and current passport.

Identification Information Confirmation

Candidates must ensure that the personal details used during online registration for IELTS are the same as the personal details on the identity document. 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.

Candidate Photograph Requirements

Upon check-in for the written test, candidates must present one recent passport-sized colour photograph taken within the past 6 months against a white background. Candidates must not wear glasses in the photographs. The photograph must show the head, ears and shoulders of the candidate from front on. Candidates must write their full name and candidate number at the back of the photograph, and present this photograph to the test day personnel.

Test Day Identification

Candidates should bring their identity documents, photographs, and IELTS Test Confirmation Letter to gain entry to the test venue. Candidates should bring ONLY identity documents into test rooms upon successful check-in.

Checking Test Arrangements

Candidates must print their Confirmation Letter, and check test arrangements information before the test. On the day of the test, candidates are also required to check and confirm their information on the desk label.

Check-in Times

Candidates should arrive at the test venue by 8:00am to check-in into the written test room, and arrive at the test venue 30 minutes before their scheduled interview time.

Adhering to IELTS Rules

Candidates must comply with IELTS test administration rules throughout the test and complete the test independently.

Test Report Form

Candidates' Test Report Forms will be sent via EMS (limited to mainland China service) to the address provided on the online IELTS Application Form on the 10th working day after the written test. It normally reached the address within a week.

Special test arrangement

We make every effort to cater for special needs of disabled candidates, to provide equal testing opportunities for all. Candidates who require special arrangements must inform the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) at least three months before the test date. Relevant supporting materials (medical certificate and/or disability certificate) should be submitted as well.

Transfer and Cancellation

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

Complaints and Suggestions

If candidates are dissatisfied with the delivery of the test, they must submit their complaints in writing to the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) before results have been issued.

Important Notice

Candidates must read and understand the following important notice before completing the online registration form.

Important Notice

The Important Notice constitutes an integral part of the rules and regulations stipulated in the China IELTS Candidate Rules. IELTS candidates must read and understand these rules before completing the online application. Please contact the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) for further enquiries.

Unacceptable Identification

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

Identification Confirmation

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

If the personal details provided by candidates during online registration do not match the details on their identity documents, or the identity documents presented at the test contains personal information different from that provided upon registration, candidates might not be admitted to the test and might not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind.

If candidates’ identity document are lost or expired before the test date, or unavailable on the test day due to uncontrollable reasons, 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) immediately and follow relevant instructions and arrangements.

The following instances may result in candidates being disqualified from taking the test, or result in the voiding of the test results. In all these cases, candidates are not eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund in any form:

·         Failure to present the appropriate identity document before the set written test or interview deadline.

·         An invalid or incorrect identity document is presented (such as expired ID card or passport, driving licence, etc.) at any time during the test;

·         Any other cases where candidates’ identity cannot be verified on the test day by test day personnel.

Candidates who attempt to take the test with false or altered identity documents and or photographs, or who have someone else take the test on their behalf, will be prohibited from taking the IELTS test in the future and will not be eligible for transfer, cancellation, or refund of any kind. Such candidates’ test results will be cancelled, and Test Report Form be voided.  Any person purporting to be the candidate will be prohibited from taking the IELTS test on future occasions. The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) reserves the right to inform government organisations and relevant embassies of such cases, and this may result in legal action.

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 candidates’ identities before, during, or after the test. The measures include but are not limited to:

·         Question the candidates’ personal information

·         Ask for additional proof of identity

·         Collect the candidates’ handwriting or other forms of biometric identification confirmation

·         Take actions to confirm a candidates’ identities, including involving the Public Security Bureaus.

·         Withhold or delay the issuance of the Test Report Form

·         Require the candidates to re-take one or more test modules

If candidates refuse to participate in satisfactorily establishing their identities, the candidates will not be permitted to take the test, be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind, and may be prohibited from taking the IELTS test on future occasions. In cases where a dispute with candidates about identity cannot be settled on the day of the test, the IELTS Test Supervisor reserves the right not to admit the candidates to the test. The candidates 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.

Candidate Photographs

Candidates may be prohibited from taking the test if they fail to present their acceptable photographs 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.

Personal Belongings

Besides identity documents, photographs, and IELTS Test Confirmation Letter, 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 assumes any responsibility for candidates’ personal belongings. Items left in the personal belongings area are left there at the candidate’s own risk. Mandatory medicines can be brought into test rooms after being confirmed and approved by test day personnel.

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

• Candidates’ own stationery
• Electronic devices
• Telecommunication devices
• Notes or reference books
• Food and drink
• Any other items deemed inappropriate by invigilators

Test day personnel may ask to inspect candidates’ personal belongs if deemed necessary. Candidates may not have access to their personal belongings during the test.

Candidates may be requested to undergo a non-intrusive electronic scan, by a designated IELTS Staff within the precincts of the test centre during the test. If candidates refuse to be scanned or an electronic device is detected on the candidates, they may be prohibited from taking the IELTS test on future occasions.

Checking Test Arrangements

If candidates find 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 invigilator’s instructions. Once the test starts, it will not be possible to deal with any enquiries about changing test arrangements.

Check-in Times

Candidates not checked in by 8:30am into the written test room will not be allowed to sit the written part of the test and will not be eligible for transfer, cancellation or refund of any kind. Such candidates may choose to sit the speaking test.

Candidates not checked in 15 minutes prior to the scheduled interview time into the speaking test room may not be admitted to the speaking test and will not be eligible for transfer, cancellation, or refund of any kind.

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 may not request pre-booking or changes to the interview schedule. 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.  Interview schedule is subject to changes. Please follow the instructions on the test day. An observer may attend my Speaking test as part of the monitoring process.

Adhering to IELTS Rules

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 candidate fail to comply with IELTS test administration rules, and/or the invigilator’s instructions, or the candidates or the candidates’ companion show any verbal and/or physical offence and/or threat to the test day personnel, the IELTS test supervisor has the right to prohibit the candidates from taking any remaining part(s) of the test, and the 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 the IELTS tests on future occasions and liable to prosecution.

Instances of breach of rules include but 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

·         Obtaining or 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

Test Report Form

Candidates must ensure that the address provided is valid at least 1 month after the written test date. If the address is changed due to uncontrollable reasons, 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 the IELTS online registration website’s "My Status" page. The website information is for reference only and the test result is based on the Test Report Form solely.

The Test Report Form will be issued in the candidate’s name as it appears on the identity document used at registration. If candidates find that their personal details (name, birth date, etc.) are incorrect on the Test Report Form, they should contact the Exams Unit of the British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General) to request changes within the deadline. Documentation must be provided to verify the correct details.

If candidates change their names after receiving Test Report Form, the name will not be changed on the Test Report Form.

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

Transfer and Cancellation

Before the registration cut-off date candidates can transfer or cancel the test and should pay the transfer fee of RMB500 or apply for a partial refund of RMB700.

Complaints and suggestions

The British Council (operating in China as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy/Consulates-General), IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL will not accept complaints relating to the delivery of the test after results have been issued.

Disclaimer

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.

Force Majeure

If examinations or delivery of results are disrupted, cancelled or delayed, 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.

Right of Interpretation

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). 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.