Navigating international academic or professional transitions often begins with a credential evaluation—a process that helps translate your educational qualifications from one country to the standards of another. But before applying for a credential evaluation, one of the most crucial questions you must answer is: What kind of evaluation do I actually need?
The answer depends on your individual goals. Whether you’re immigrating, continuing your studies, applying for professional licensing, or seeking employment, choosing the appropriate type of evaluation ensures your credentials are assessed in a way that aligns with your intended purpose. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of credential evaluations available and how to determine which one is right for you.
What Is a Credential Evaluation?
A credential evaluation is a formal assessment of your academic qualifications earned outside the destination country. It verifies the authenticity of your credentials, the status of the issuing institution, and provides an equivalency comparison to the education system of the receiving country.
The evaluation is typically conducted by an independent credential assessment body, which then issues a report outlining how your foreign credentials compare to local standards.
Why Are There Different Types of Evaluations?
Not all evaluations serve the same purpose. The type of evaluation you need is largely determined by how you plan to use your report. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t apply here. For example, an evaluation used for immigration purposes will look quite different from one used for academic admissions or professional licensing.
Each evaluation type highlights specific details about your education, such as:
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The name and level of the credential (e.g., Bachelor’s degree equivalent)
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The duration and content of your academic program
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The recognition status of the institution
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The grading system used
Common Types of Credential Evaluations
Here are the most commonly offered types of evaluations and their typical use cases:
1. Document-by-Document Evaluation
Best for: Employment, immigration, general purposes
This evaluation provides a basic analysis of your academic documents. It includes the name of the credential, the issuing institution, and its equivalency in the target country’s education system.
You should consider this type if:
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You are applying for immigration (especially for programs that require a basic education summary)
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You’re seeking employment that only requires proof of degree equivalency
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You do not need course-level information
2. Course-by-Course Evaluation
Best for: University/college admissions, licensing boards
This is a more detailed report that includes individual courses taken, grades received, credit hours, and a GPA conversion into the target country’s system.
Choose this if:
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You are applying to a college or university and need to meet specific course prerequisites
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A licensing body requires detailed academic content for approval
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You are transferring credits from one institution to another
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GPA or credit conversion is required
3. Comprehensive Evaluation
Best for: Advanced studies, professional fields, or combined purposes
This type may combine both document-by-document and course-by-course evaluations and can sometimes include authentication, analysis of academic content, and equivalency of professional qualifications.
It is suitable for:
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Postgraduate studies
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Specialized licensing exams or boards
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Combined academic and immigration use
4. Secondary School Evaluation
Best for: Undergraduate admissions
This focuses on high school-level education and is typically required by colleges or universities for undergraduate applicants.
How to Know Which Type You Need
Here’s a structured approach to identifying the right evaluation for your needs:
1. Identify Your Goal
Start by asking: Why do I need this evaluation?
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Immigration
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Higher education
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Professional licensing
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Employment
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Personal knowledge or credential authentication
Each of these paths may demand a different level of detail in your evaluation.
2. Check the Requirements of the Receiving Institution or Body
This is the most important step. Contact the organization where you plan to submit your evaluation and request specific information on:
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Accepted evaluation types
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Required format (electronic or paper)
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Recognized evaluation agencies
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Any additional documents needed
Some immigration authorities, for example, only accept certain types of evaluations and require them to be sent directly by the evaluation agency. Similarly, some universities insist on course-by-course evaluations with GPA conversion.
3. Consider the Level of Your Credentials
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If you have completed only high school, a secondary school or document-by-document evaluation may be sufficient.
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If you’ve earned postsecondary qualifications like diplomas, degrees, or certifications, you may need a course-by-course evaluation, especially for academic or licensing purposes.
4. Consider the Purpose of Evaluation Beyond Today
If you’re considering immigration now but may apply for graduate school or a license later, opting for a more detailed evaluation could save time and money. Many applicants choose a course-by-course evaluation even if not strictly required, in case future opportunities demand it.
What If You’re Still Unsure?
If the requirements are unclear or you’re applying to multiple organizations with different expectations, here are a few tips:
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Reach out to the credential evaluation agency’s support team for guidance.
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Provide details about your goal and the institutions you are targeting—they may suggest the best report.
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Some evaluation bodies allow you to upgrade your report later if your needs change. Confirm this before choosing a type.
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