Academic Degree Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Academic Degree facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which type of federal student loan is available to all eligible bachelor's degree students regardless of financial need? → Unsubsidized Direct Loan
2. What river is referred to as a river between two mountains? → Narmada
3. In the PSC context, 'closely related' coursework typically refers to college credits that are: → Directly relevant to the duties of the position being filled
4. Which standardized test is most commonly required for admission to US master's programs? → GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
5. Which word signals that a superlative is being used? → the
6. What is the role of a dissertation committee in a doctoral program? → To guide, evaluate, and approve the doctoral student's research and dissertation
7. A Degree Level PSC exam tests knowledge aligned with which primary purpose? → Assessing job-relevant competencies tied to the degree level required
8. What is a 'major' in the context of a bachelor's degree? → The primary field of academic concentration requiring a specified set of courses
9. What is the minimum GPA typically required to maintain good academic standing at a US university? → 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
10. What is 'clinical rotations' in the context of professional degree programs like MD and PharmD? → Supervised hands-on training experiences in clinical settings during the program
11. What is the purpose of a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) in a master's degree application? → To provide faculty assessment of the applicant's academic and professional potential
12. How does a 'pass/fail' grading option typically affect a student's GPA? → It does not affect the GPA but earns credit hours upon passing
13. What is the Common Application (Common App) used for? → A single online application platform accepted by over 1,000 US colleges and universities
14. The NYSC Was Created After? → The Nigerian Civil War
15. Which GS grade level is most commonly associated with the first-time use of a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree as a qualifying credential under OPM standards? → GS-11
16. What is the superlative form of 'little' (quantity)? → least
17. What is the primary purpose of a doctoral dissertation? → To present original research that contributes new knowledge to the field
18. How many years does it typically take to complete a medical degree (MD) program in the US? → 4 years of medical school, plus 3–7 years of residency
19. What GPA threshold typically places a bachelor's degree student on academic probation at US universities? → Below 2.0
20. What is an 'LLM' degree in the context of legal education? → Master of Laws — an advanced law degree earned after a JD
21. What does 'MD' stand for in the context of professional degrees? → Doctor of Medicine
22. Which type of master's degree is most commonly associated with business administration? → MBA
23. In a PSC exam for a biological science position at GS-9, which of the following substitutions is valid? → A master's degree in biology
24. Which bachelor's degree is typically required before enrolling in a Juris Doctor (JD) law program in the US? → Any bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
25. Which type of doctorate is typically required to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the US? → Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Clinical Psychology
26. Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree? → Designed primarily for transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree program
27. Who is the French President? → Emmanuel Macron
28. Which adjective CANNOT form a comparative with '-er'? → comfortable
29. In the context of Degree Level PSC exams, what does the term 'major study' most precisely mean? → The primary academic field in which the degree was conferred
30. What is the minimum cumulative GPA most U.S. universities require for a student to maintain 'good academic standing'? → 2.0