The Registration Process Should Be the Easy Part

Taking an internationally recognised exam is stressful enough without the registration process adding to that stress. Yet every year, thousands of Nigerian students run into problems booking their exam that were entirely avoidable.

This guide walks through the registration process for each of the four main exams, the most common problems, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Registering for IELTS

IELTS in Nigeria is administered by the British Council and IDP. Both use the same scoring system and their results are equally recognised, but they have different test centres, different available dates, and slightly different registration processes.

To register, you need a valid international passport. Your name on the registration must exactly match your passport. This is a detail that causes more problems than almost anything else in the IELTS registration process. Even a small discrepancy, a middle name missing or a different spelling, can result in you not being allowed into the test centre.

Test centres fill up quickly in Lagos and Abuja. If you have a deadline to submit your scores, work backwards from that deadline and register at least two months in advance to ensure you have a comfortable choice of dates.

Registering for TOEFL

TOEFL iBT is registered through the ETS website. Nigerian applicants register online, select a test centre and date, and pay the registration fee by card. ETS accepts major international debit and credit cards.

The most common issue Nigerian applicants face is card payment failure due to international transaction restrictions on certain Nigerian bank cards. If your card declines, contact your bank to enable international transactions before attempting the payment again.

Lagos and Abuja have approved TOEFL test centres. If both are fully booked for your preferred period, you can contact ETS to enquire about alternative arrangements, although these are not always available.

Registering for the GRE

The GRE is also administered by ETS and is registered through the same platform as TOEFL. The process is similar, but it is important to know that the GRE is now offered as a GRE at Home option in Nigeria, which allows you to take the exam from your own computer with a remote proctor.

The GRE at Home option has strict technical requirements including a stable internet connection, a working webcam, and a cleared desk area. Check the requirements carefully before choosing this option over an in-person test centre.

Registering for the SAT

The SAT is administered by the College Board and is registered through collegeboard.org. Nigerian test centres for the SAT are more limited than for IELTS and TOEFL, so checking availability early is essential.

The SAT has moved to a digital format in most international markets. This means you will take the test on a provided tablet or laptop at the test centre rather than on paper. The digital format is actually considered more accessible by most students because the exam adapts to your performance level.

When Things Go Wrong

If you run into technical problems during registration, document them immediately with screenshots. Contact the examining body's customer service and keep records of all communication. If a test date is missed due to an error on the examining body's part, you have grounds to request a free reschedule.

For most registration problems, acting quickly and communicating clearly resolves the issue. What tends to make things worse is waiting to see if the problem resolves itself.