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. What river is referred to as a river between two mountains? → Narmada
2. Which standardized test is most commonly required for admission to US master's programs? → GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
3. What is the role of a dissertation committee in a doctoral program? → To guide, evaluate, and approve the doctoral student's research and dissertation
4. What is a 'major' in the context of a bachelor's degree? → The primary field of academic concentration requiring a specified set of courses
5. What is the minimum GPA typically required to maintain good academic standing at a US university? → 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. What is the Common Application (Common App) used for? → A single online application platform accepted by over 1,000 US colleges and universities
10. The NYSC Was Created After? → The Nigerian Civil War
11. What is the primary purpose of a doctoral dissertation? → To present original research that contributes new knowledge to the field
12. 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
13. What is an 'LLM' degree in the context of legal education? → Master of Laws — an advanced law degree earned after a JD
14. What does 'MD' stand for in the context of professional degrees? → Doctor of Medicine
15. Which type of master's degree is most commonly associated with business administration? → MBA
16. 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
17. 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
18. Who is the French President? → Emmanuel Macron
19. What is the minimum cumulative GPA most U.S. universities require for a student to maintain 'good academic standing'? → 2.0
20. Ammonia is made using a process called → Haber Process
21. What does 'JD' stand for and what field does it represent? → Juris Doctor — the professional law degree
22. Which healthcare profession most commonly requires an associate degree as the entry-level credential? → Registered Nurse (RN)
23. Which of the following is a key advantage of earning an associate degree before a bachelor's degree? → Lower overall cost due to cheaper community college tuition for the first two years
24. What is 'test-optional' admissions in the context of US undergraduate applications? → A policy allowing students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores
25. What does 'PhD' stand for? → Doctor of Philosophy
26. Which of the following best describes 'auditing' a college course? → Attending and participating in a course without earning credit or a formal grade
27. What is the average annual tuition for a public community college in the US? → Approximately $3,000–$4,000 per year
28. What is the purpose of the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)? → To assess medical knowledge and clinical skills required for physician licensure in the US
29. What is the length of time required to complete a bachelor's degree in Algeria? → 3 Years
30. What does 'IRB approval' refer to in doctoral research? → Institutional Review Board approval for research involving human subjects