Introduction

When building your profile for the Express Entry system, it's crucial to carefully consider how your educational background is presented. This is especially true if your degree or qualifications have been evaluated differently by various assessment bodies. This article will guide you through the choices and strategies to ensure your educational credentials are presented optimally, enhancing your chances of success.

Understanding Your Educational Credentials

Your educational credentials play a pivotal role in your score under the Express Entry system. It's essential to understand how your qualifications are viewed and evaluate the impact of different assessment bodies.

Comparing Assessment Bodies: WES, IQAS, and ICAS

When considering your educational evaluation, you have the flexibility to choose from multiple assessment bodies. Each body may provide varied evaluations, so it's important to understand the implications.

1. WES (World Education Services)

WES is a well-recognized and widely used evaluation service. However, if your degree and diploma have been evaluated as 4 years of undergraduate and 1 year of postgraduate by WES, you may want to consider alternative assessment bodies to potentially enhance your score.

Pros: Widely accepted, recognized by many universities and employers. Cons: If the assessment is not favorable, it may lead to a lower overall score in the Express Entry system.

2. IQAS (International Qualification Assessment Service)

IQAS is known for its more flexible and lenient approach to evaluating educational credentials. This can be particularly advantageous if your WES evaluation did not align with your actual educational experience.

Pros: Offers a more lenient evaluation, potentially improving your qualifications. Cons: May not be as widely recognized by all institutions.

3. ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service)

ICAS is another option that provides a flexible evaluation similar to IQAS, offering a second opinion on your educational credentials.

Pros: Provides a second opinion, which can help if your WES evaluation was not in your favor. Cons: May still face limitations in recognition by some institutions.

Optimize Your Profile with Alternative Evaluations

To enhance your chances of a favorable evaluation and a higher overall score, consider the following strategies:

1. Dual Evaluation

You can choose to get your bachelor's degree from a different evaluation service, such as IQAS or ICAS, while retaining the WES evaluation for your master's degree. This dual evaluation can offer a more favorable comprehensive score.

2. Choose Optimal Programs

When submitting your profile for the Managed Immigration Program (MPNP), you may opt for two post-secondary programs of at least 2 years each. This can earn you additional points in the MPNP point calculator.

Applying for University: Nomenclature and Course Seeking

When applying to universities, it's important to follow the Indian nomenclature for your degree and the courses you're seeking. Universities often consider WES evaluations for admission, but indicating the correct course according to Indian nomenclature can help in the process.

1. Indian Nomenclature Alignment

Ensure that the course you're seeking in the university aligns with the Indian nomenclature. This can help streamline the admission process and ensure that your qualifications are correctly evaluated by the institution.

2. WES Consideration for Admission

While it's essential to apply for your desired courses, universities may still consider WES evaluations for admission purposes. Communicate your desire for the specific Indian-named course to the university and bring forward your secondary evaluation for dual assessment.

Conclusion

Optimizing your educational qualifications for the Express Entry and university admissions can significantly impact your chances of success. By carefully considering the various evaluation services and aligning your application with Indian nomenclature, you can enhance your overall profile and increase your chances of a favorable evaluation and admission.

Wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors!