Updated on December 10th, 2020

<Important Notice>

・In order to avoid misreading of any information required for the application, please use Microsoft Word, etc. whenever possible to complete the application.

・Please use the checklist when you submit the application documents.
The checklist must be submitted along with other application documents.

The guideline / Application form

Q11. Can I receive the printed guidelines and forms for the new (online interview) entrance examination?
A1 No. You must download the guideline for new (online interview) entrance examinations from the website below; https://www.naist.jp/en/international_students/prospective_students/admission_information/guidelines_for_masters.html
Q22. Can I pay the examination fee at banks in Japan?
A2 Yes, but a bank transfer request form for paying the examination fee is not available. Please pay via ATM. For the details, please refer to the guidelines on the following URL:https://www.naist.jp/en/international_students/prospective_students/admission_information/guidelines_for_masters.html
If you'd like to pay at a convenience store, please contact the Admissions Section(exam[at]ad.naist.jp)

English Certificate

Q33. I couldn't take the TOEIC test because it was cancelled.
Can I take the examination without any English certificate?
A3 You can take the examination without an English certificate. Even though your English score for the examination will be zero, it is still possible to pass the examination with sufficient scores from the research proposal and online interview.
Other than TOEIC, we also accept:
・TOEFL (Examinee Score Report or Test Taker Score Report*of TOEFL iBT or ITP)
*Test Taker Score Report printed from "MY Homepage"'(personal account page) is not acceptable.
・Duolingo English Test( available online, and the score is issued sooner than others. Please refer to the FAQ below about submitting the score.)
・IELTS
Q44. How should I submit the Duolingo English Test score?
A4 For Duolingo English Test, submitting both the printed score (by postal mail) and the URL of that score (by email [exam[at]ad.naist.jp]) are required. Include this with the application documents or submit it within the later designated term [should arrive at NAIST within this period]. When submitting the score to arrive within the later designated term the "Submission Form of Document Verifying English Proficiency" must be included along with the printed score.
*Note: Sending your score from the personal account page of Duolingo English Test is not accepted.
Q55. I haven't received the paper score of TOEIC IP test(mark sheet type), but I already got the PDF one. Can I submit the PDF one for English certification?
A5 No, we only accept the original score report. In case it's difficult to submit it at the time of application, you may submit the score during the later designated term.
If an English score is submitted outside of that term, it will not be accepted for any reason, so please confirm when the original score report will be issued and the subsequent schedule to mail it to NAIST.
Q66. The TOEIC Listening & Reading IP test (online) doesn't issue a printed score report, but it does issue a PDF score report. Can I submit the PDF score report as an English certificate?
A6 If you want to submit the TOEIC Listening & Reading IP test (online) score (PDF) report as an English certificate, you must ask the company or school where you took the test to issue a letter which states that your score is genuine. (Any format is acceptable.)
The letter must include;
1. The name of the company or school that offered the test
2. Your test date
3. Name of the test taker (you)
4. Your test registration number
5. Listening score
6. Reading score
7. Total score
8. Name, job title, and official seal of the person who is authorized to testify to these contents
The letter above must be submitted in application period or the designated period indicated in Submission Form of Documents to Verifying English Proficiency with the TOEIC Listening & Reading IP (online) PDF score report.
*The "Submission Form For Document Verifying English Proficiency" should be enclosed with the English score.
Q77. Can a TOEIC IP test or ITP test score with limited use (eg: TOEIC IP test or ITP test conducted only for the purpose of an entrance examination of a graduate school other than NAIST) be submitted as application documents to NAIST?
A7 No. It is different from the general TOEIC IP tests and ITP tests conducted at the university or company. We cannot accept TOEIC IP test or ITP test scores whose use is limited to graduate school entrance examinations other than NAIST.
Q88. I submitted the English score before, but now I have a better one.
Can I submit the better one also?
A8 Yes, but please be aware that we have the designated term (from October 8th - October 12th) for submitting English scores. The "Submission Form For Documents Verifying English Proficiency" should be enclosed with the English score.
Q99. Can I submit the multiple kinds of English certificates?
A9 You can submit the multiple kinds of English certificates as long as they are stipulated in the guidelines.
In cases when we receive multiple English certificates, we will select the best score after comparison calculations.

Online interview

Q1010. Which is preferable, a computer or a smart phone for the online interview?
A10 You can use either one, but a computer is recommended.
If you will use a smart phone for the interview, make sure to adjust the settings so you won't be interrupted by calls or messages unrelated to the examination.
Q1111. In what cases is the telephone used?
A11 We sometimes use the telephone to give technical support or to reschedule online interviews. If there are connection troubles, in rare cases the interview will be done by telephone.
Be sure to have the telephone you wrote on the Online Contact Information as "Phone available for calls from Japan on interview day" available.
Q1212. What is "Cisco Webex Meeting"?
A12 "Cisco Webex Meeting is free software for video conferences.
You need to download the software to the device you will use for the interview in advance. Please read the instruction.
<For computers>
https://www.webex.com/downloads.html/
<For smartphones>
Android OS: Search Google Play for "Cisco Webex Meeting" and download it.
iOS: Search App Store for "Cisco Webex Meeting"and download it.
Q1313. Can I check how to operate Cisco Webex Meeting by myself before the online interview?
A13 All the applicants must confirm how to operate Cisco Webex beforehand. The test website for both PCs and smartphones is: (https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html)
In addition to this, we are planning to provide opportunities for operation verification. Details will be announced to the applicants along with the examination voucher. Please be sure to secure a stable Internet connection.
Q1414. How early should I join the meeting before the interview starts?
A14 A notice of the exact time will be included with the examination voucher. Please read it carefully in advance and join the meeting at the designated time.
Q1515. Where should I look at during the online interview?
A15 Try to look at the camera you are using.
If you look around too much, the interviewers may ask you to confirm whether this is to cheat or not.
Q1616. What should I do when it's difficult to hear the voice of interviewers?
A16 First, please try to adjust the volume of your device. If this doesn't work, please ask the interviewers for instructions.
If the interviewers can't hear your voice, they will try to contact you by chat, phone, e-mail, etc.
Q1717. What location is preferable for taking the online interview?
A17 Please take the online interview at your home or at the university/college you currently belong to whenever possible, securing a quiet space that others will not enter during the interview. If the environment is deemed not suitable for the interview, the interviewers may stop it.
※We will check the location you use from the viewpoint of fraud prevention with the video camera, so please be careful not to show anything which you wish to remain private.
※If you need to take the interview at a hotel, rental meeting room, etc., please confirm the facility's current information, reservations, etc. NAIST is not responsible for these.
Q1818. What should I do if I have problems with the connection on the day of the online?
A18
<Before the online interview>
Please refer to the notice sent with examination voucher. There is contact information for technical support.
<During the online interview>
Please wait calmly until the interviewer contact you by chat, phone, or e-mail.
If the connection trouble cannot be solved during the interview, the interview may be rescheduled to the later time or date. In that case, please follow the interviewers' instructions.
Q1919. Can I take the online interview with microphone and speaker built in the computer or smartphone?
A19 Yes, but there are some cases where it is difficult to communicate using built-in microphones and speakers in computers and smartphone. (i.e. poor sound quality, noisy echo, etc.)
It's ideal to use a head-set or earphones with a microphone, but if it's not possible, using earphones or headphones along with a built-in microphone will help you to avoid any trouble.
For Inquiries:
Admissions Section
Educational Affairs Division
Nara Institute of Science and Technology
8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma Nara 630-0192 Japan
TEL: +81(743)72-5083
E-mail: exam[at]ad.naist.jp