[2025 Edition] ID Photo Guide for Japan's Common Test: Size, Rules and Grooming Explained

Exam & School ID Photos #Applications & Exams

September 29, 2025November 4, 2026 Ami

The 2026 Common Test for University Admissions (Daigaku Nyugaku Kyotsu Test), Japan's national standardized exam for university entrance, is just around the corner. For test takers, preparing the application is an essential step.
Starting this year, applications are submitted online, so you must upload a digital face photo.

Many people assume that a photo has no effect on whether you pass. In practice, however, a photo that does not meet the specifications, is blurry, or looks unnatural may be flagged as a problem during verification.

This article sums up the specifications and points to watch for Common Test photos, so you can prepare with confidence!

New this year: the Common Test moves to online applications
What size should a Common Test photo be?
Which background color is appropriate?
What expression works best? Tips for a good impression
Grooming checklist for your Common Test photo
Summary: prepare a well-presented photo that meets the requirements

New this year: the Common Test moves to online applications

From the 2026 Common Test, the entire application process moves online.
Each applicant creates a personal account (“My Page”) and registers their application details, pays the exam fee, and downloads their admission ticket online.

Applications by mail are in principle discontinued, and all applicants switch to the online system (My Page). As part of this change, you must prepare and upload a digital face photo.

For details on online applications, check the exam guide and application instructions published by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations!

About the Common Test application site (online application)

What size should a Common Test photo be?

The specifications for the Common Test photo are as follows.
Requirements may differ depending on the university or admission type, so always check the exam guide.

Photo proportions: an aspect ratio (height to width) of 4:3 is recommended
File specifications: accepted formats are JPEG, JPG, JPE, PNG, HEIC and HEIF. File size must be 5MB or less.

You must also use a photo taken on or after July 1, 2025.
If you only have an older photo, be sure to have a new one taken!

Which background color is appropriate?

The background should be plain, and white or light blue is recommended.

White: clean-looking and the standard choice
Light blue: gives a fresh, intelligent impression

*Patterned backgrounds, gradients, and backgrounds with shadows are not allowed.

What expression works best? Tips for a good impression

A natural expression with the corners of your mouth slightly raised is ideal
Avoid a smile that shows your teeth, and aim for a calm impression
Keep your eyes wide open and look straight at the camera to convey sincerity

Aim for a natural expression that makes examiners feel you are “serious and trustworthy.”

Grooming checklist for your Common Test photo

Hair

Keep your bangs out of your eyes by parting them or pinning them back
Keep your hair a natural dark color
Showing your ears makes your face look brighter and gives a cleaner impression

Clothing

A white shirt and a jacket are the standard recommendation
Casual clothes such as hoodies and T-shirts are not suitable
Straighten your collar, and make sure your tie or ribbon is not crooked
Iron your clothes so they have no wrinkles
A school uniform is acceptable at some universities (some do not allow it, so check)

Other points

Always shoot without a hat (hats and headbands are not allowed)
If you will wear glasses during the exam, wear them in the photo
Colored contact lenses are not allowed (they change your eye color and make identity verification harder)
Trim your facial hair neatly or shave (stubble is considered inappropriate)
No makeup at all, or natural makeup, is the general rule

We recommend having your photo taken at a studio

“Is my expression okay?” “I'm worried my hair is messy…” “Are the brightness and background right?”
Many people feel this kind of worry when preparing an exam photo.

19Studio in Shinjuku takes ID photos that match the Common Test application requirements.
We offer skin retouching, natural touch-ups for flyaway hair and wrinkled clothing, and hair darkening correction.
We also offer a suit compositing option (¥1,500).

We focus on a bright, clean and natural finish, delivering ID photos suited to the Common Test application requirements.
You can retake your photo until you are satisfied, and your photo data is delivered the same day, so even applicants with a close application deadline can feel at ease.

Prepare an ID photo you can submit with confidence at 19Studio!

Summary: prepare a well-presented photo that meets the requirements

For your Common Test photo, it is important to follow the requirements for size, background color, expression, hairstyle and clothing.
The photo itself does not affect your score, but it is an important part of the first impression you make as a test taker.

To go into the exam with peace of mind, have a professional take a photo that meets all the specifications!

Ami: Joined 19Studio as a new business of an IT company; works in advertising and marketingI'm involved in 19Studio as a new business of an IT company, and my day job is advertising and marketing. I'm good at thinking about how to get the right information to the people who need it, and I work on making our prices, services and booking as clear and easy as possible.