Academic Degree Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the Academic Degree exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 Academic Degree Exam Format at a Glance
📚 Academic Degree Topics to Study (33)
✍️ Sample Academic Degree Questions & Answers
1. What is 'credit hour' in US higher education?
A credit hour (or semester credit) represents roughly one hour of weekly class instruction over a semester, and degree programs are measured in terms of total credits earned.
2. What is the 'Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine' (DO) degree, and how does it relate to the MD?
DO physicians complete comparable training to MDs plus additional osteopathic manipulative medicine training; they hold full licensure to practice medicine and surgery in all US states.
3. A candidate has 120 semester hours of college credit but no degree conferred. How does OPM typically treat this for PSC purposes?
Completed college credit hours can substitute for experience on a prorated basis (e.g., 30 hours = 1 year of study) even without a conferred degree.
4. Which of the following best describes 'combination of education and experience' as used in Degree Level PSC qualification?
Combination qualifying means computing percentages—e.g., 50% of required education plus 50% of required experience equals 100% qualification.
5. A candidate holds a professional law degree (J.D.). To which graduate degree level is it most commonly equated in federal civil service qualification?
The J.D. is classified as a first professional degree, placing it above the master's level in OPM's educational framework.
6. What is the typical length of time required to earn an associate degree when attending full-time?
A full-time student can typically complete an associate degree in two years, earning the required 60 credit hours over four semesters.