All you Need to Know About WES Evaluation

The need for academic credential evaluation arises from the fact that the education system in India is way different from the US and Canada. To deal with this non-uniformity and standardize the applications, US and Canadian universities rely on organizations like World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and Educational Perspective (EP).

As the US and Canada have a significant number of immigrants from across the globe, there is a need to streamline the academic credentials of study and work enthusiasts based on a single system. WES evaluation means that one can translate academic credentials to the US education system as well as that of Canada.

However, a quick introduction will not help with questions concerning the WES evaluation process, regarding how to apply, the cost of the evaluation, the documents required, etc. We will cover all of them in the blog and help you understand the process clearly.

What is World Education Services or WES?

WES evaluation is a globally recognized non-profit organization that provides credit evaluations of academic transcripts for study abroad aspirants. The WES education is a fully digital process where scores are converted into a 4.0 grading scale followed in the US and Canada.

Read more about How To Convert A Grade In India To The US 4.0 GPA Scale?

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How to Apply for the WES Evaluation?

WES evaluation compares an aspirant’s academic achievements to the standards in the US or Canada. This evaluation is useful for universities, employers, immigration authorities, and licensing boards to understand your educational qualifications.

The grading systems in the USA and India are quite different. In the US, grades are given on a scale from 0 to 4, with increments of 0.1 points. In India, the education system uses either a percentage scale (from 0 to 100) or a CGPA scale (from 0 to 10).

The WES application process facilitates a convenient process for students. The academic documents must be sent through the university/college you last attended. If you are sending academic documents, WES will not consider them official. Applying for the WES evaluation involves three steps:

Step 1: Apply to WES on the website and get a reference number.

Step 2: Arrange all the WES required documents and send them through your university/college, as per the format mentioned on the WES website.

Step 3: Once the evaluation is done, the WES delivers the report to the institutions you have designated.

Sending digital documents makes the process easier, which is possible if the university from which you graduated has a digital partnership with the WES.

What are the WES Required Documents for Credit Evaluation?

WES required documents if you want to study at universities in the US or Canada include the following - 

• Final or provisional degree certificate
• Annual mark sheets

There may be additional document requirements like a membership certificate for some diploma courses. You can find the complete list of required documents based on your educational background on the WES website.

When Should You Get Your Credentials Evaluated by WES?

The simple answer to when study abroad aspirants should get their scores evaluated by WES is as soon as they decide to go abroad. The WES evaluation helps immigrants in both admission applications, as well as job applications. Since the WES evaluation process typically takes 7-10 days to complete, it is recommended to apply for WES evaluation in advance.

What Does WES Evaluate?

There are three types of evaluations offered by the WES:

• Document-by-Document: This evaluation is mainly done for first-year university admissions, employment, and US immigration purposes. As the name suggests, the WES would help you get a US and Canadian equivalent for each credential.  
• Course-by-Course: The primary purpose of course-by-course evaluation includes transfer and admission in graduate education and licensing boards. This evaluation lists corresponding courses, grades, and a calculated GPA expressed in US and Canadian terms.
• CPA Evaluation: This evaluation analyzes the business and accounting courses for Certified Public Accountant exams in the US and Canada. Indian students can also write this exam but should have a commerce bachelor with a minimum US equivalent score of 90%.

What is the Cost of WES Evaluation? 

There are two kinds of WES evaluation, with different WES fees. You can select the one which suits your requirements.

• Document-by-document evaluation can cost you up to $160
• Course-by-course evaluation that costs $225.   

If you choose to pay the former WES fees, your scores are evaluated, standardized, and reported to you on a 4.0 scale. Whereas, with the latter, you also get to store and officially send the evaluated report to your selected universities. If you're looking for a master's abroad, this is the option you would have to choose.

Cost of WES Evaluation for International Students

If you're an international student seeking a WES evaluation, it's important to understand the associated fees. These fees can vary depending on whether you're applying as an undergraduate, transfer, or graduate student. Below is a detailed breakdown of the WES evaluation costs and additional charges:

Basic Evaluation Costs

Here is a summary table of the WES evaluation costs:

Make sure to account for any additional fees that may apply to your specific situation. 

Additional Charges

There may be extra costs for services such as expedited processing, delivery fees, and any additional copies of the evaluation report.

What is the Process of WES Evaluation?

WES document-by-document and course-by-course evaluations take 7 business days to share the report once the documents are evaluated. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) requires around 35 days to get the report.

The WES evaluation process consists of the following four stages:

• Document Imaging: The evaluators scan each document into the WES system. In many cases, the documents could be sent from your institution.
• Reviewing the Documents: Evaluators review to ensure the documents are authentic and issued by recognized institutions. In this stage, the records are either accepted or rejected.  
• Assessing Equivalency: The evaluators who are country-specific experts find the equivalency of the documents concerning US or Canadian education. The authenticated documents are again reviewed. Application status “In progress” signifies the application is being analyzed, and “On hold” signifies the application requires further verification.  
• Issuing the Credential Evaluation Report: The evaluators will issue the final credential evaluation report. You can see notifications updated on your accounts about the application being reviewed for the final round.

What Does a WES Canada and US Report Contain?

Typically a course-by-course evaluated WES report contains the following details:

• The name of the credential.
• The requirements for entry.
• The program length.
• The equivalency in terms of the US system.
• Educational qualifications after senior secondary.
• A US semester credit and grade equivalent for each course.
• A US grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifying your equivalency whether it is above or below the US equivalents.

A document-by-document evaluated WES report contains the following:

• The name of the credential.
• The requirements for entry.
• The program length.
• The equivalency in terms of US education.

Indian Universities Recognized by WES US and Canada

The WES evaluation for Indian students includes a detailed WES university list that can send the documents electronically to WES. Many Indian universities come under the WES university list. If you are a graduate of any of these universities, your WES application will be quicker compared to the unrecognized universities. There is an option for your university to partner with WES.

Indian Universities Recognized by WES Canada

WES USA doesn't have any specific list of institutions recognized. However, if you have attended a duly authorized and recognized institution in India, WES US will likely evaluate your documents. Below is a list of universities for which WES regularly provides a credential assessment. 

Importance of WES in the USA

The WES meaning or importance in simple words is that it provides a uniform score base for all international students. A WES evaluation in the USA is not only beneficial for Master's or PhD admissions; some employers also require standardized degree scores before offering a job. Therefore, anyone seeking employment in the USA or Canada may need to have their WES score evaluated and standardized. Top colleges often require a WES review because they may not be familiar with your college, university, or course. They request standardized scores from WES to better understand your academic background.

Please note that not all US universities mandate score evaluations. Requirements vary by institution and program. However, whether required or not, it is generally recommended to get your Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) done by WES.

Why WES Canada is Important?

WES Canada holds significant importance for several key reasons:

• Evaluating Academics: WES Canada is essential for evaluating and validating international academic credentials. This service is crucial for immigrants, refugees, and international students seeking educational or employment opportunities in Canada.
• Supporting Integration: By providing accurate assessments of foreign credentials, WES helps individuals navigate the Canadian system effectively, increasing their chances of academic and career success.
• Uniformity in Evaluation: WES Canada establishes a standardized benchmark for evaluating international educational qualifications. This ensures that individuals from diverse academic backgrounds receive fair and transparent assessments.
• Immigration and Permanent Residency: WES evaluations are often required for immigration and permanent residency applications in Canada. An accredited evaluation from WES can positively influence one's immigration status and enhance eligibility for various immigration programs.

Note that there are universities, like the University of California Berkeley, that do not accept scores by WES or any third party. Students must check with the university to which admission is required. Getting worried about miscalculations in your score and losing an opportunity at an esteemed university abroad is a normal concern.
 

That’s all about WES, if you are confused about how to calculate your percentage or convert a 10-point scale CGPA to a GPA score before applying for WES evaluation, try our Free Grade Converter tool today. Get your grades evaluated and weigh your chances of securing admission to your dream university in just a single click!

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