Receiving your educational credential assessment report is an important milestone in your academic, professional, or immigration journey. However, it’s not uncommon to feel confused or have follow-up questions once the report arrives. Whether you’re unsure about how your qualifications were evaluated, need clarification about equivalencies, or think there may be an error, it’s essential to know how to proceed with addressing your concerns.
This in-depth guide will walk you through what to do if you have questions after receiving your educational credential assessment report, how to seek clarification, possible next steps, and how to make the most of your assessment results.
Why You Might Have Questions About Your Report
There are various reasons why someone might seek further clarification after receiving an evaluation:
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Unexpected Equivalency Results: You anticipated your degree to be evaluated at a certain level, but the outcome was different.
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Missing Credentials: One or more of your submitted credentials does not appear in the report.
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Inaccurate Personal Information: Your name, birthdate, or other identifying information is incorrect or misspelled.
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Incomplete Coursework Recognition: Some subjects, grades, or credits may not have been included or appropriately represented.
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Comparative Confusion: You’re unsure how to interpret the equivalency in terms of your new country’s education system.
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Eligibility Concerns: The report may not meet the requirements for your intended purpose (e.g., immigration, university admission, or licensing).
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Technical Terms or Classification Codes: The report includes terminology or classification references that are difficult to understand.
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Change in Plan: You may need a different type of report than the one initially requested.
Step-by-Step Process to Address Questions About Your Report
1. Read the Report Thoroughly
Before reaching out with concerns, take time to review the report carefully. Pay attention to the following components:
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Credential titles and names
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Awarding institution
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Duration and level of study
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Final equivalency statement
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Notes or remarks provided by evaluators
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Any disclaimers or footnotes
Sometimes the information you’re looking for is included in the report but may be phrased in technical language.
2. Compare with Submitted Documents
Ensure that all the credentials you submitted were included and evaluated. If something appears missing or misrepresented, gather your copies for reference.
3. Consult the Guide to Understanding the Report
Many credential evaluation services provide a general explanation or glossary with the report. These documents often include:
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Definitions of academic levels
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Common educational equivalencies
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Information about grading scales
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Explanation of evaluation methodology
Review these guides to better understand how your report was constructed.
4. Make a List of Specific Questions
Before contacting the assessment body, prepare a concise list of the questions or concerns you have. Focus on:
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Specific parts of the report that seem unclear
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Credentials or grades you believe were overlooked
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Terminology that requires clarification
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Mismatched personal details
Clear, specific questions will help the evaluation team respond more accurately and efficiently.
5. Contact the Support Team
Most credential evaluation agencies have a designated procedure for handling post-report inquiries. You may be required to:
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Submit a support request through an online portal
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Email your questions with your file number/reference ID
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Fill out a formal request form for reevaluation or review
Include all relevant details, such as:
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Your full name
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Reference number
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Date of report issuance
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Specific points in the report that need clarification
Be polite and professional in your tone. Keep your message brief but informative.
Possible Responses and Resolutions
Depending on the nature of your query, the evaluation agency may respond with:
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Clarification Only: If your question is about understanding the report’s content or terminology.
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Report Correction: If a verifiable error is found in the personal data, credential title, or equivalency.
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Re-Evaluation Request: In some cases, especially for complex or disputed equivalencies, you may be invited to formally request a reassessment. This may involve an additional fee.
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Credential Addition: If a document was not evaluated because it wasn’t included in your original submission, you may be able to submit it now for inclusion in an updated report.
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Upgrade to a Different Report Type: If your report does not meet your current goal (e.g., university admission instead of immigration), you may request a more detailed or specific version.
Important Considerations
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Timing: Some services allow you to request clarification or correction only within a specific period after the report has been issued (e.g., 30 or 60 days).
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Document Verification: You may be asked to re-submit or provide additional proof for any claims you make.
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No Guarantees of Change: Just because you disagree with an outcome does not mean the agency will amend the report unless there’s evidence of an error.
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Non-Refundable Fees: Most evaluation bodies do not issue refunds once the report has been completed, even if you dispute its content.
How to Avoid Future Confusion
To minimize issues with your report in the future, consider the following tips before submitting an application:
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Read the Documentation Guidelines: Understand what documents are required and how they should be submitted.
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Understand Report Types: Choose the report format that best aligns with your goal (e.g., general vs. course-by-course).
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Verify Requirements from Receiving Institutions: Ensure your target university, licensing board, or immigration program accepts the evaluation type you’re requesting.
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Use Certified Translations: If your documents aren’t in English, use only officially certified translators to avoid misinterpretation.
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Review All Entries Before Submission: Double-check your name, degree titles, graduation dates, and institution names for accuracy.
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