Frequently asked questions

Questions

Questions about application procedure
Online registration
Registration by post
About payment
Cancellation and changes
Post registration
Test Day Photography

Answers

Questions about application procedure

Q: Is it possible to register for an IELTS examination close to the application deadline?: A: If you are able to choose the test date you want on the online registration page, it means that there are still seats available in the session and you can register for them online.
By post; you can take the test if your application form is received before the deadline and if the test session is not already full.
Q: What kind of ID is accepted for IELTS?: A: Only passports are accepted. No other ID is accepted for IELTS registration.
Candidates are required to bring their passports which were used for application on the test date. If you forget to bring your passport, you can NOT take the IELTS examination. ?No refund or change in the test date will be permitted. If you can not bring your passport on the test date because of a VISA application, please contact us before you reregister.
Q: I would like to make special arrangements because I have special needs. What should I do?: A: Special arrangements will be made for candidates who need Braille papers, enlarged print papers, and modified listening and speaking tests. Please contact STEP at least 2 months before the test date by email or telephone. You will be required to submit medical evidence in English.
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Online registration

Q: Why I am not able to log in to my online registration account?

A: There is a possibility that the username or password has been inputted incorrectly twice. Please check your user name and password on your registration e-mail.
If your account has been locked, please inform STEP IELTS Unit about it via e-mail.
We will unlock it and inform you via email within 3 business days.
When you send us the e-mail, please make sure you provide your name (in English), date of birth, and daytime telephone number.
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If you are in a hurry to register, please create a new username and password, and register a new account.

Q: I have chosen the wrong module. Can I correct it later online?

A: You cannot correct this by yourself. If you wish to change your test date, module or test venue you may do so up to 5 weeks before the date of the written test.
Please note that requested changes of date or module are strictly subject to availability.
Send completed “Request Form for Change” to the test centre by registration closing date.
Request Form for Change (PDF 156B)

Q: Even though it is before the application deadline, I can not select the test date I want in order to register.

A: Only the test dates which have seats available are shown on the screen. If you can not select the date, it means that the session is already fully booked.

Q: The online registration screen is frozen. What can I do?

A: This may be because of your PC security settings or your version of internet explorer. Please amend your settings and try again.

Q: The email I received from the online registration system was garbled. What does it say?

A: You need to decode the message.
Open the email and highlight the garbled part, and select Toolbar > View > Encoding > Language.
The following items should be included in the email:

Account Details (username, password)
Examination Details (registration number, test date, chosen office, chosen test location, test fee, questionnaire which you answered online, address and mail-address of STEP IELTS Unit, chosen method of payment and procedure for sending supplementary documents, payment deadline, rules about cancellations and refunds).

Please contact us if the email is still garbled even after encoding.

Registration by post

Q: I sent a paper application form by post. If my first preferred test date is not accepted, will I be notified as such?: A: Yes, STEP IELTS Unit will contact you.

About payment

Q: How do I make payment for more than one test?: A: Please pay test fees separately when you apply for more than two tests. Candidates need to obtain a Transaction Reference every time they register for a test. The numbers given are valid for only one test. Where payment has been made but registration procedures have not been followed correctly, we will not be able to process your application and will refund your payment minus an administration fee of 6,300JPY (including tax). This will apply to payments made to us after the 3 day deadline for online registration, or where the registration process was not completed correctly.
Q: Can I pay the test fee with a credit card?: A: Unfortunately, we currently cannot accept credit cards as a form of payment.

Cancellation and changes

Q: Can I cancel my registration for IELTS?: A: If you wish to cancel your test, you may do so up to 5 weeks before the date of the written test. Send completed “Refund Request Form” to the test centre by registration closing date. Refunds will be made to your bank account after the deduction of the 6,300 JPY handling fee.
Refund Request Form (PDF 112KB)
Q: Can I change my test date or test location?: A: If you wish to change your test, you may do so up to 5 weeks before the date of the written test. Please note that requested changes of date or module are strictly subject to availability. Send completed “Request Form for Change” to the test centre by registration closing date.
Request Form for Change (PDF 156KB)
Enquiry

Post registration

Q: I haven't received the invitation letter for my IELTS examination and it is 10 days before my test date.: A: The invitation letter is sent out 2 weeks before the test date from STEP IELTS Unit. Please check your online registration account to confirm whether your registration has been successfully completed or not. When you have confirmed your registration, please contact STEP IELTS Unit as soon as possible.
TEL:03-3266-6852

Test Day Photography

Q: What is Test Day Photography?: A: This is a new procedure which will be implemented as of February 2012 for enhancing IELTS test security that involves taking and authenticating photographs of test takers on the test day. Under this new procedure, IELTS administration staff will take an individual, passport style, photograph of all candidates present on the test day. Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and New Zealand will also be implementing this procedure.
Q: What is this used for?: A: The test day photograph will be printed on candidates’ Test Report Forms, and will only be used for test related purpose (including but not limited to Test Report Form issuance, receiving organization verification, etc.) in accordance with national and international data protection law
Q: How long will the test day photo take?: A: It takes 30 seconds per candidate on average to take the test day photo.
Q: Do I still need to submit another photo given that my photo is already taken on the test day?' Since I've submitted photos beforehand, why do I need to have my photo taken again?: A: Yes, candidates are still required to submit two photographs 4 weeks before the actual testing session. The photograph must be Passport size, taken within the past 6 months, against a white background, with the candidate’s full name and candidate number written on the back. The photos taken on the test day are used in addition to the pre-submitted photos under global IELTS regulations.
Q: Can I refuse to participate in test day photography system?: A: No. All candidates must have their photo taken in order to sit the test. Refusal to follow our security procedures may result in candidates not being allowed to sit the test, and not be eligible for transfer or cancellation or refund of any kind.
Q: Can I see the photo which was taken? Can I choose which photo will be used in the TRF?: A: No. Candidates are not shown their photo. However, staff will make sure that the photo is clear.
Q: How long will the photographs be saved?: A: Photos will be saved for 2 years; this is the duration for which IELTS is valid for.
Q: The Listening, Reading, and Writing tests takes place on Saturday and the Speaking test takes place on Sunday in Tokyo and Osaka. Does this mean that my photograph will be taken again on Sunday?: A: No. Photographs will be only be taken on Saturday, before the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests.
Q: I registered to take the test in Tokyo/Osaka but can't because of unexpected circumstances on Saturday. What will happen?: A: Candidates who have not had their photograph taken are not eligible to take the test and will not receive a Test Report Form. Furthermore, candidates are not eligible for transfer or cancellation or refund of any kind.
Q: Can I have my photograph taken before the Speaking Test?: A: No. In countries where the Speaking Test takes place after the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests, candidates must have their photo taken before the Listening test.
: Are there any other changes in testing procedure other than having my photo taken?: A: Arrival time may become earlier in some venues. Furthermore, candidates will not be able to take the test is they do not have their photo taken.
Q: Previously, if I missed the Listening test because I was late, I was able to take the Reading and Writing tests as long as I had my ID checked. Will this still be the case?: A: No. Candidates who are late will not be able to sit the test at all. However, in cases of unexpected train delays exceptions may be made, so please come to the test venue with an official delay certificate from the station.
Q: I don't want the photo taken on the test day to be printed on the Test Report Form. Can I send a different photo of myself after the test and have it printed instead?: A: No. Photos on the Test Report Form must be the one taken on the test day at the test venue.

(Last updated on 5 January 2010)