I need test scores, transcripts and other documents for my applications

Read the admissions page and any FAQ for each program, and note the accepted tests, minimum scores, how recent scores must be and whether scores must come directly from the test provider. If anything is unclear, email the admissions office and keep the reply. Don't pay for a test or an evaluation until you know a program needs it.

If you studied in English, look for the program's waiver or exemption rules, which often depend on the country you studied in, the language of instruction and how recently you graduated. Some programs exempt you automatically, some need a letter from your university confirming the language of instruction and some ask you to request a waiver before you apply. A waiver can save you money and weeks of preparation, so it's worth asking.

Book any test several months before your earliest deadline, so there's time to prepare, get your results, retake if you need to and send official scores. Choose your score recipients carefully, since ETS includes up to four free score reports with the TOEFL and the GRE, and sending more later costs extra. Make sure the name you register with matches your passport exactly.

Ask each university you attended how to send official transcripts, how long it takes and whether there's a fee. Many programs accept unofficial copies when you apply and ask for official ones only if you're admitted, which can save time and money. If your documents aren't in the language the program uses, you'll usually need certified translations along with copies of the originals, so check which translators the program accepts.

Some programs, especially in the US and Canada, ask applicants with degrees from other countries for a credential evaluation from a service such as World Education Services (WES), which compares your qualifications with US or Canadian standards. Others assess international transcripts themselves. Only order an evaluation if a program asks for one, check which type of report and which services it accepts, and allow plenty of time, since your university may have to send documents to the evaluator directly.

An academic CV usually puts your education first, followed by research experience, relevant work, publications or presentations, awards, skills and languages. It can be longer than a job résumé, but every line should be accurate and easy to scan. Your Wins and Accomplishments list is a good place to gather the details, such as dates, your role and what came of each project.

Each time you order a score report, transcript or evaluation, add it to the Waiting-For List with a date to check that it has arrived. Most application portals show which documents have been received, so look a week or two after sending and follow up politely if something is missing.