In plain English
It is the school’s formal academic record for a student. The institution issues it to show the courses, grades, and other academic results it has recorded.
In context
Here, "official transcript" names a required document that is the educational institution’s formal record of a student’s courses, grades, and other academic results.
- Situation
- Applying for admission, scholarships, financial aid, and following decision status
- What it communicates
- names a required academic record document
Meaning limits
The term alone does not indicate the document’s format or how it is provided, because those details can vary.
Examples
“Her diploma named the degree, but the official transcript listed every course and grade.”
“For the licensing application, an official transcript from the college had to be included.”