General Registration Information             

Q: 1. When can I take the test?
A: The test is held once a month at most Test Centres. Normally there are 3 tests per month in Beijing. Please find detailed information of Test Dates.

Q: 2. Where can I take the test?
A: Currently there are 26 Test Centres in Mainland China. Find your nearest Test Centre.

Q: 3. Is there any difference between taking IELTS in China and taking the test in another country?
A: There are no differences in terms of the test format or test assessment. However, test fees may differ slightly. Some candidates may prefer taking the test in their home country because they feel less nervous.

Q: 4. How soon can I re-take the test?
A: You are not allowed to take another test within 90 days of your previous test.

Q: 5. Does the 90-day rule apply if I previously took IELTS in another country?
A: Yes, candidates can not take the IELTS test again within 90 days no matter where they took the previous test.

Q: 6. Can absent candidates repeat the test within 90 days?
A: Candidates who were not present on the test day can register for another IELTS session without needing to wait for 90 days.

Q: 7. How many times can I take the test?
A: You may re-take the test as many times as you wish.

Q: 8. What if something happens within 3 weeks before the test, and I cannot attend the test?
A: You must inform the relevant British Council office immediately. If possible, we will arrange test cancellation for you, for example, if you are seriously ill and can provide sufficient supporting documentation, such as diagnosis endorsed by a doctor and a letter specifying your reason for not being able to attend the test. The chance to arrange in this way would only be offered once. Please call the IELTS national call centre for contact details of the relevant British Council office if necessary.
NEEA call centre(010 6279 8811 Mon to Fri.8:30－17:30; Sat.7:30－13:00)

Identification              

Q:1. What kind of ID is acceptable for IELTS registration?
A:
Candidates from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao: both ID cards and passports
Candidates from Taiwan: Taiwan Residents ID for Travel to Mainland
Non-Chinese national Candidates: Passports
Candidates who are military service personnel: military identity documents

Q: 2. What if I lose or change my ID / passport before the test?
A: You are not allowed to take the test.
The candidates must present the same identification document (either ID card or passport with the same candidate information, including name, gender, date of birth, ID/Passport number). We do not accept any alternative identity documents.

Q: 3. Can I sit the test with a temporary ID card?
A:  temporary ID card is not acceptable.

Q: 4. If I am under 16 years old, can I take the test?
A: You can take the test but IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16

Q: 5. If I am under 16 years old and do not have an ID card, can I register for IELTS? If so, what are the registration requirements?
A: You can register for IELTS with a valid passport.

Q: 6. Can I take the test again if I'm rejected because I presented a fake identity document?
A: No, you can't take the test again. You will be banned from taking IELTS in future.

Q: 7. Can I take the test again if it was discovered that I asked somebody else to do the test for me, or took the test for somebody else?
A: No, you can't take the test again. You will be banned from taking IELTS in future.

Online Registration Procedure              

1.Q:  Where can I register for IELTS in China?
A: IELTS registration in China is made possible only by visiting the NEEA IELTS Online Registration website. To successfully register for the IELTS test online, it is extremely important for candidates to carefully read the "Registration Procedure" and complete all the steps accordingly.

2. Q: How do I register online?
A: To successfully register for IELTS, you must complete all of the steps in order:

• register as a NEEA user;
• reserve a seat at an IELTS test centre;
• fill in the IELTS application forms;
• pay IELTS fees

You will not able to do the next step without finishing the earlier steps. Your IELTS registration will not be completed and confirmed before you finish all of the four steps.

3.Q:  What are the system requirements to register online?
A: You need to access to a computer that is connected to the internet. The computer must have an internet browser (Internet Explorer is preferred) installed. It would be ideal, but not a requirement, for the computer to have a display resolution of 1024 X 768. For candidates of Chinese nationality, names and mailing addresses in simplified Chinese characters must be provided. Therefore, Chinese candidates will have to use computers with simplified Chinese operation systems to input Chinese characters.

4.Q:  What are the difference among NEEA User ID, Registration ID and IELTS Candidate Number?
A:
NEEA USER ID NUMBER: In conjunction with a password defined by the user, this number protects other persons from accessing your information. You need this number to sign in to make registration online.
REGISTRATION ID NUMBER: This is a unique confirmation number the NEEA IELTS registration system generates after you complete all the required steps. You need this number when you call the NEEA call centre. This number will also allow you to get an IELTS candidate number.
IELTS CANDIDATE NUMBER: It is a unique number generated by Cambridge ESOL after they have received your application data. You will use this to reference your IELTS related services with British Council or to use it as the reference number for the IELTS score recipients.

5.Q: How can I get my NEEA User ID?
A: To get this Number, you are required to provide your basic personal information, for example, name, ID number, mailing address, phone numbers, and email address. After you have submitted the required information, you will be assigned a NEEA User ID number.

6.Q: What if I forget my NEEA User ID or password?
A: Please click the button "FORGOT YOUR NEEA USER ID OR PASSWORD, PRESS HERE" displayed bellow the Sign-in Box and fill in the requested information. You will be taken through a security check, which, if successful, will send your NEEA User ID or Password to your email address.

7.Q: How can I get my Registration ID?
A: After you have finished the IELTS registration, the NEEA IELTS web site will assign you a Registration ID. You need this number when you call the NEEA call centre. This number will also allow you to get an IELTS Candidate number.

8.Q: How can I get my IELTS Candidate Number?
A: Two days before the test, the NEEA IELTS web site will display your IELTS Candidate number at MY STATUS page. The IELTS Candidate Number is used for taking the IELTS test or reference for any IELTS test related services with British Council.

9.Q: What will happen if I provide incorrect information when registering online?
A: Incorrect information will result in your not being able to receive IELTS information and score reports. You are responsible for inputting incorrect inauthentic information and all consequences caused by this.

10. Q: How do I know the seat availability?
A: After you select an IELTS test centre, you will be directed to the display of IELTS test dates with corresponding registration period and Reserve A Seat buttons. If the RESERVE A SEAT button is not available, it means that the centre is full or not available for the IELTS test date shown on the left side.

11.Q: How can I check my registration information?
A: The MY STATUS page is the central place where you can view the status of every step of your registration. Please always check this page by pressing the MY STATUS button in the home page after you signed in.

12.Q: Can I change my registration information after I submit them to the registration system?
A: Once submitted to the system, you will not be allowed to change your name in Chinese and English, gender, ID type and ID number, and date of birth, and test module. Up to three weeks before the test you can change other information. You can also cancel or transfer your registration for an additional fee up to three weeks before the test to another test centre or test day.

13.Q: Can I change information after the registration is closed?
A: No.

14.Q: When is the deadline for registration and when is the registration close date?
A: Candidates should register for the test at least 15 working days before the test date.

15. Q: What if I don't have an email address?
A: You need to register with an email address to complete online registration. You can get yourself a free email address on many websites including yahoo.com and hotmail.com.

16.Q: How secure is my personal information?
A: Your information is secure. The information you have entered will be used to communicate with you and for test security purposes.

17.Q:Will I get the confirmation letter after registration?
A: Yes, you will get the confirmation letter by email and through the on-line registration website.

Payment

1. Q: What do the IELTS fees refer to?
A: The IELTS fees include IELTS test fee, IELTS transfer fee and the IELTS cancellation fee.
All candidates must pay the IELTS test fee to finalise IELTS registration.
The IELTS transfer fee is charged for candidates who have completed IELTS registration and decide to change IELTS test centre (subject to availability) or IELTS test date (subject to availability) up to three weeks before the test date.
The IELTS cancellation fee is the amount refunded to you following cancellation of your test up to three weeks before the test date.

2. Q: How much is the IELTS test fee, IELTS transfer fee and IELTS Cancellation fee?

A: IELTS test fee: RMB 1450
IELTS Transfer Fee: RMB 500
IELTS Cancellation Fee: RMB 700 (only for candidates who cancel the test up to 3 weeks before the test date)

3. Q: How can I pay IELTS fees?
A: The IELTS fees include the IELTS test fee, the IELTS transfer fee and the IELTS cancellation fee.

There are three means of payment:
online payment through ICBC, http://www.icbc.com.cn/
online payment through CMB, http://www.cmbchina.com/
wire transfer at any bank office near you to NEEA's bank account.

4. Q: What do I need if I pay IELTS fees online?
A: You need to have an e-commerce enabled bank card issued by either the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) or the China Merchants Bank (CMB). It is recommended that you visit the ICBC or CMB offices and obtain a card with e-commerce capability. The ICBC ( http://www.icbc.com.cn/ ) and CMB( http://www.cmbchina.com/ ) have detailed information about their services either online or at their offices.

5. Q:  What shall I do if I am disconnected to the internet during my payment process at the bank web page?
A: Under this circumstance, normally your payment process might not be complete. Please contact the bank service hotline to find out whether or not your payment is complete.

6. Q: If I pay IELTS fees by wire transfer, what shall I need to know and where can I get the key information?
A: When you click on the WIRE TRANSFER button, you will be shown the key information you need to wire transfer IELTS fees to the NEEA bank account, including:

• NEEA bank account name
• NEEA bank account number, bank name and address, and
• the amount of money in RMB

This information is what you will need when you go to the bank to make your wire transfer.

7. Q:  When will my payment be reflected on my account if I make payment online?
A: Normally, the NEEA IELTS registration system will instantly receive your payment confirmation after which your IELTS registration will be finalised. However, there might be rare circumstances when the banking system delays your payment confirmation with NEEA IELTS registration system.

8. Q: When will my payment be reflected on my account if I make payment by wire transfer?
A: Depending on the different banks, it will take one (1) day up to three (3) days before NEEA receives confirmation of your payment.

9. Q:  How do I know my payment has been made?
A: When the NEEA IELTS registration system receives your payment (whether online or by wire transfer) a confirmation email message will be sent to your email address.

10. Q: Can I check the payment procedure through the NEEA IELTS web site?
A: Yes, you can.
If you make payment online, please check the NEEA IELTS web site one day later to view your payment and registration status.
If you make payment by wire transfer, Please check the NEEA IELTS registration web site at least two days after your wire transfer.

11. Q: What if I do not see confirmation of my payment?
A: If you do not see confirmation of your payment after two days (online payment) or four days (wire transfer), call the NEEA IELTS call centre for help.

12. Q: Why the bank clerk does not understand my request when I ask to pay IELTS fees?
A: The wire transfer is not a special service catered for IELTS test, it is simply a standard money transfer service offered by any bank. When you walk into a bank office, you must ask for wire transfer service ("Dian Hui" in Chinese).

13. Q: What is the cut-off time for payment?
A: If you are paying online, the cut-off time for the payment is within 7 working days of booking a seat. If you are paying by wire transfer, you are advised to complete your payment within three working days of booking a seat.

14. Q: Will I get a receipt for my payment?
A: You will be sent a confirmation email, showing the amount paid, on the same day that your payment is received by the NEEA. If you pay online, the bank's secured page will generate the bank confirmation number. This transaction will be displayed on your monthly account statement. If you pay by wire transfer, you will receive a payment confirmation slip from the bank where you make the transfer.

15. Q: Can I get a Fapiao/Shouju for my payment?
A: If you need to obtain reimbursement from sponsoring organisations, NEEA can provide you with a monetary receipt (yinqian shouju). Please email or call the IELTS Call Centre to request this.

16. Q: Is the online payment safe?
A: To ensure the safety of using the online payment, you should pay attention to safekeeping your user name and password for the online payment. If you have further enquiries, please contact the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the China Merchants Bank (CMB) accordingly.

Test Transfer & Test Cancellation              

1.Q: Can I change my test module?
A: Sorry you can't.  Once you have completed your application online, you will not be able to change your test module. If you want to take the General Training module, you should check online before you register to find out on which dates it is available.

2.Q: Can I transfer my test date/or test centre?
A: You can change your test date up to three weeks before the registration close date for an additional fee of 500RMB.
You can transfer online - see below.
To change your test centre and/or test date, log onto NEEA IELTS Online Registration and go to MY STATUS page. At the bottom, RESCHEDULE will bring you to the page where your will be able to choose different test date or centres.

3.Q: Can I cancel my test and will I get a refund if I cancel?
A: Candidates are allowed to cancel their IELTS test registration up to three weeks before the test date and will be refunded RMB700. You can cancel your registration on the NEEA IELTS Online registration website.

4.Q: How can I cancel my IELTS registration?
A: You can go to MY STATUS page by clicking the MY STATUS button after you have signed in. Click the REFUND bottom displayed on this page to cancel your registration.

5. Q:How can I get a cancellation refund?
A: If you cancel IELTS test up to three weeks before the test date, you can get a cancellation refund. The refund depends on the way you make payment when you registered
If you paid IELTS test fee by wire transfer, the refunds will be sent back to you using postal money order.
If you paid IELTS fees on line, the refunds will be sent back to your bank account.
After you cancel your registration, RMB700 will be refunded to your account.

6.Q: How soon can I receive the cancellation refunds?
A: The refund amount will be sent to your bank account or your mailing address usually within four weeks. If you have questions or you have not received your refund, please call the NEEA call centre---(86)10 6279 8811

On the day of the test

1. Q: What shall I bring to the test?
A: Please bring only the following:

• The ID Card / passport you used for registration
• 1 colour passport-sized photo taken within the last 6 months, signed on the back
• Your confirmation letter

If you do not bring all of the items listed above, you will not be able to take the test and will lose your fee.You can not apply for transfer or cancellation either.
Please do not bring your mobile phone or any other electronic equipment or other personal belongings.
We will provide all the stationery you need for the test.

2. Q: When do I have to arrive?
A:
Written Test: You are advised to arrive the test venue by 8:00am. The check-in desk closes at 8:30am on the test day.
Speaking Test: You are advised to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled interview time and check-in closes 15 minutes prior to your interview.

3. Q: What if I arrive late?
A:
Written Test: You will not be allowed to take the test after 8:30am
Speaking Test: You will not be allowed to take the test if you arrive less than 15 minutes prior to your schedulled interview time.
For both cases in the above, you are not eligible for transfer or cancellation, now will you receive any refund for the test fee.

4. Q: What shall I do if I write the Listening answers on the Reading side of the answer sheet? What shall I do if I write the answer to Writing Task 1 on the Task 2 answer sheet?
A:Please inform the invigilator immediately.

5.Q: What should I do if I miss the test or can't complete the test due to circumstances outside my control?
A: You should contact the IELTS invigilator or supervisor immediately at your designated test venue. If we accept that the problem was unavoidable, we may be able to make special arrangements.

6. Q: If I miss the Listening/Reading/Writing session, can I take the speaking test on Saturday afternoon or Sunday?
A: You can take the speaking test.

7. Q: If I take the Listening test, feel sick during the Reading test and decide not to take the Writing test, can I take the speaking test on Saturday afternoon or Sunday?
A: You can take the speaking test.

8. Q: Can I change the time of my speaking test?
A: All candidates should follow the speaking test schedule prepared by the British Council. We regret that no change can be made to the arrangements for the test days.

Test Score and Test Report Form               

1.Q: What is the passing score in IELTS?
A: There is no passing score in IELTS. However, universities or embassies may tell you the band score they require.

2. Q:  How is my overall band score calculated?
A: Your overall score is calculated automatically by our computer software system. It's not a simple average score out of the four single ones.

3. Q: Can I cancel the scores?
A: No, but you can choose not to pass on the scores to embassies or universities.

4. Q: What is the validity period of the test results?
A: Your test score remains valid for up to two years after the test date. However, receiving institutions may make their own decision on the validity period of the scores.

5. Q: Will a previous test score affect my later score?
A: No, the scores from each test are independent.

6. Q: Can the IELTS band scores be directly compared to scores in TOEFL or CET?
A: No, these three tests are different language tests designed for different purposes.

7. Q: How can each candidate get a fair score from his/her examiner? Are there any differences from examiner to examiner, and from area to area?
A: All band scores are based on the candidate's performance on the test day using the same assessment criteria to ensure fairness. All IELTS examiners are fully trained and their performance is regularly monitored.

8. Q: Can I ask my local British Council office to change my scores?
A: No, you can't.

9. Q: Can I get my score by telephone, fax or e-mail?
A: No, you cannot. In order to maintain a strictly confidential service, the test results are disclosed on the Test Report Form or you can go to the MY STATUS page to see the test results online.

10. Q: How can I get my Test Report Form?
A: You Test Report Form will be sent by EMS (limited to local/domestic service) to the address given on your IELTS Application Form.

11. Q: When can I get the test result?
A: Usually your Test Report Form will be sent out by the British Council offices 10 working days after the test.

12. Q: What is included in the Test Report Form?
A: In the Test Report Form, you will find:

The test module you have taken
The Centre Number, Test Date, and your Candidate Number
Your name, photo, gender, ID / passport number, and Date of Birth
Your first language
Your previous test date and venue (if you have taken the test before)
Your four individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
Your overall band score
The Writing and Speaking Examiners' Numbers
The administrator's signature
The date of printing
An explanation of Bands 1 to 9 on the back of the TRF

13. How many Test Report Forms can I get?
A: You will receive only ONE original Test Report Form. Please keep it safely. We cannot give you any further copies.

14. Q: What if I haven't received my Test Report Form four weeks after the test?
A: Please contact your British Council office immediately.

15. Q: What if I lose my Test Report Form?
A: We suggest you make photocopies of your Test Report Form as soon as you receive it. If you lose the original copy, we can help you to send your results to embassies or universities, although we will not issue you with any further Test Report Forms.

16. Q:  How can I get wrong information on my Test Report Form corrected?
A: Please contact the British Council offices in:

Beijing: (010) 65906903 ext. 312/284 (for candidates who took their test in Beijing, Tianjin, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Jinan, Qingdao, Xi'An, Urumqi, Zhengzhou, Wuhan and Changsha)

Guangzhou: (020) 83351316 ext. 273 (for candidates who took their test in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Nanning and Haikou)

Shanghai: (021) 63912626 ext. 278 (for candidates who took their test in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Hefei)

Chongqing: (023) 63736888 ext. 225 (for candidates who took their test in Chongqing, Chengdu and Kunming)

Also see No.9 in the "Online Registration Procedure" section of this document.