How to Interpret an Academic Evaluation Report

If you’ve completed your education outside the United States and want to study, work, or get licensed here, you’ll probably need an Academic Evaluation Report. While it might sound intimidating, it’s actually a helpful document that breaks down your foreign credentials into something U.S. institutions can understand.

In this guide, we’ll give you the definition of academic evaluation reports, why they’re important, and what goes into them. Whether you're applying to a university, getting licensed in your profession, or job hunting, understanding academic evaluations is key to getting your qualifications recognized.

What Is an Academic Evaluation Report and Who Needs One?

Think of an Academic Evaluation Report as a translation, but aside from languages, it translates your education. It compares your studies abroad to the U.S. education system so that schools, employers, or licensing boards can understand what you've achieved.

These reports are commonly required by:

• U.S. universities and colleges for admissions and credit transfers.
• Employers, to confirm your degree matches the job requirements.
• Licensing boards, especially in healthcare, engineering, or law.
• Immigration offices, for visa applications or green card petitions.

So if your education was completed outside the U.S., chances are you’ll need this report at some point.

Why These Reports Are Vital for Schools, Jobs, and Licenses

Not every education system is structured the same way. A “Bachelor’s degree” in one country might not be the same in terms of duration, coursework, or specialization as one in the U.S. An academic evaluation fills in those blanks. It helps ensure:

• Admissions teams know you’re eligible.
• Employers can compare your degree to a U.S. equivalent.
• Licensing boards can confirm your training meets their standards.

These reports make life easier for decision-makers and open doors for international professionals and students.

Breaking Down the Structure of an Academic Evaluation Report

While formats may vary slightly depending on the agency, most academic evaluation reports include a few core sections:

1. Your Educational Background This outlines where you studied, what degree you earned, and when. It usually includes the names of the institutions, the titles of the degrees, and the years of attendance or graduation.

2. A Course-by-Course Snapshot Every subject you studied gets listed, with grades and credits. The evaluator converts those grades and course hours into the U.S. equivalent, which is helpful for admissions and sometimes required for credit transfer.

3. Grade Equivalency Explained This section matches your grades to the U.S. grading scale. Since not all countries use A–F or percentages, this helps everyone stay on the same page.

4. Your U.S. GPA Equivalent This is the U.S. GPA equivalent based on your transcript. Many schools and employers use this to compare candidates fairly.

5. Summary and Final Recommendation This wraps everything up by stating what your foreign credentials are equivalent to in the U.S. For example, it might say “equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.”

6. How the Report Was Evaluated Here, the evaluator explains how they reached their conclusions, often citing reference materials, institutional standards, and country-specific education frameworks.

Common Evaluation Concepts You’ll Run Into

Here’s a breakdown of a few important terms often used in academic evaluations:

• Entry Requirements: What You Needed to Start School These are the prerequisites you had to meet before entering your program. For example, finishing high school is usually needed before starting a bachelor’s program. Evaluators check this to ensure your education fits a standard academic path.

• Program Duration: How Long It Was Supposed to Take This is the official length of time your program takes to complete (not how long you took). A three-year bachelor’s degree is evaluated as such, even if you finished it in two or stretched it to five.

• Proof of Graduation: Showing You Really Earned the Degree This is where things can get tricky. Evaluators need to confirm that you finished your program. The best proof is your diploma. But if that’s not available, a diploma supplement, graduation letter from the university, or even a transcript with a graduation date may work. Whatever you submit, it must be official and include:

• The university’s name

• The degree title

• Your name

• Field of study

• Date of conferral or graduation

• Foreign Degree Title: What Your Degree Was Called This is the name of the qualification you earned, such as “Licenciatura,” “Baccalaureus,” or “Diplôme d’Études Supérieures.” These vary by country and often require explanation or translation into a U.S. equivalent.

• Foreign Field of Study: What You Specialized In This is the area you focused on—your major. It’s important to report the exact name used in your country, even if it doesn’t match standard U.S. terminology. Evaluators will determine the closest equivalent in the U.S.

• U.S. Degree Equivalent: Your Education in American Terms This is the final verdict: what your degree and major are considered equivalent to in the U.S. system. It could be “Bachelor of Arts in Political Science” or “Master of Science in Computer Engineering,” depending on your coursework and credentials.

Why Each Section Matters So Much

Each piece of the report serves a purpose:

• The educational background builds a timeline of your academic path.
• The course breakdown and grade conversions show the depth of your knowledge.
• The GPA gives U.S. institutions a familiar number to work with.
• The summary ties everything together and states what your credentials are worth in the U.S.

Having this information presented saves time and confusion, and helps you move forward with confidence.

How Evaluators Verify Your Credentials

Verifying your credentials is a big part of the evaluation process. Evaluators don’t just take your documents at face value—they confirm that your institution is recognized, your degree was legitimately awarded, and your transcripts are authentic.

That’s why using official documents is so important. Most evaluators won’t accept unofficial transcripts, photos, or digital screenshots. Submit sealed transcripts, original diplomas, or certified copies whenever possible. This not only speeds up the evaluation but also builds trust in your application.

What If Something’s Missing?

Missing documents can delay your report. If you’re missing a diploma or your transcript doesn’t list a graduation date, don’t panic. You can often get an official letter from your university confirming your graduation. As long as the documents come from an official source and meet the necessary criteria, your evaluation can move forward.

Who Relies on Academic Evaluation Reports?

You might be surprised how many organizations rely on these reports:

• Universities and Colleges use them to decide whether to admit students or transfer credits.
• Employers check them to see if your education matches the job requirements.
• Professional Licensing Boards use them to determine if your education qualifies you to take certification exams or get licensed.
• Immigration Authorities may request them for visa or green card applications that require proof of education.

Getting the Right Academic Evaluation Service

Not all credential evaluation companies are the same. A few things to keep in mind when choosing one:

• Are they members of organizations like NACES or AICE?
• Do they offer both general and course-by-course evaluations?
• Can they tailor the report for specific purposes (e.g., USCIS, licensing boards)?
• What’s their turnaround time?
• How responsive is their customer service?

If your recipient has specific preferences (some universities or agencies only accept evaluations from certain providers), always check with them first before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Academic Evaluation Reports

1. How long does it take to get an academic evaluation report?

Turnaround times vary by provider, but most standard evaluations take between 5 to 10 business days once all required documents are received. Some services offer rush options for an additional fee.

2. Can I use the same evaluation report for multiple purposes (e.g., school, job, immigration)?

Not always. Some organizations require a specific type of evaluation, like a course-by-course report for university admissions or a general report for immigration or employment. It's best to confirm with each recipient. Many evaluators, including MotaWord, can tailor reports to different needs.

3. Do I need to get my documents translated before submitting them?

If you're using MotaWord, no, you don’t need to handle translation separately. MotaWord provides certified English translations of your documents as part of the evaluation service. If you're using another provider, check their policy; many do require translations to be submitted beforehand.

4. Will my original documents be returned to me?

Most evaluation agencies accept digital copies or certified scans and don’t require originals. If you do send physical documents, check the provider’s return policy first. Some charge return shipping, or may not return documents unless requested.

5. What happens if my degree is from a school that’s not accredited?

If your school isn’t recognized by the country’s ministry of education or a recognized accrediting body, your degree may not be accepted for evaluation. Evaluators will typically include a note in the report explaining the institution’s status. It’s best to verify your institution’s accreditation before beginning the evaluation process.

Make Your Education Count in the U.S. with MotaWord

Academic Evaluation Reports might sound formal, but at their core, they’re about opportunity. They turn your international education into something schools, employers, and licensing boards in the U.S. can work with.

If you're ready to move forward with your academic or professional journey in the U.S., MotaWord offers fast, affordable, and accurate academic evaluation services. Our expert team ensures your credentials are properly reviewed and presented—no guesswork, no delays.

Ready to get your degree recognized?
Start your academic evaluation with MotaWord today and take the next step toward your goals.

Mark Rogers - Head of Evaluation Services at MotaWord

Mark is a credentials evaluator expert with over five years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated a keen attention to detail and a thorough understanding of international education systems, contributing to his reputation as a trusted authority in the field of credentials evaluation.