MA Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which of the following is the central claim of philosophical anti-realism about science? → We should remain agnostic or instrumentalist about unobservable theoretical entities
2. What is the primary concern of New Criticism as a school of literary theory? → Close reading of the text itself, without outside context
3. In Aristotle's ethics, eudaimonia is best translated and understood as: → Flourishing or living and faring well in accordance with virtue
4. Which ideological framework argues that economic class struggle is the primary driver of historical change? → Marxist historiography
5. Which American poet is known for the collection Leaves of Grass and poems celebrating democracy and the individual? → Walt Whitman
6. Which act of 1830 authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their eastern homelands? → The Indian Removal Act
7. Which concept refers to the danger of judging past events by present-day moral standards? → Presentism
8. The concept of 'framing' in communication theory refers to: → How information is presented to influence how audiences interpret it
9. In Plato's theory of Forms, what is the relationship between particular things and their corresponding Form? → Particulars participate in or imitate Forms
10. What does 'deviance' mean in sociological terms? → Any behavior that violates social norms, ranging from minor infractions to serious crimes
11. The 'Thomas theorem' in sociology states that: → If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences
12. What was the primary purpose of the Marshall Plan (1948)? → To rebuild Western European economies after WWII
13. What does earning a Master of Arts degree involve? → Deepening knowledge of a subject in the humanities, social sciences, and arts
14. Which position in philosophy of mind holds that mental states are identical to brain states? → Type identity theory
15. What is 'cognitive dissonance' in communication and persuasion research? → The psychological discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs or behaviors
16. The philosophical problem of personal identity over time is most directly concerned with which question? → What makes a person the same individual across different moments
17. The term 'Cold War' describes the geopolitical tension between which two powers? → The United States and the Soviet Union
18. Which American Civil War battle (1863) is often called the turning point of the war? → Battle of Gettysburg
19. Which concept describes the exclusive right of a state to exercise authority within its territory? → Sovereignty
20. What is 'gerrymandering'? → The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or group
21. In the U.S. federal system, which level of government has powers not explicitly granted to the federal government? → State governments
22. Which literary device involves a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work? → Allusion
23. Which type of master's degree can help you hone your creative talents? → Master of Arts
24. Which concept describes the study of meaning-making through signs and symbols? → Semiotics
25. Which degree is usually required for professional practice and licensure as a psychologist? → Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)
26. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects which of the following? → Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
27. Which treaty ended World War I? → Treaty of Versailles
28. John Rawls's 'veil of ignorance' is a device used to determine principles of justice by imagining that individuals do not know which of the following? → Their place in society, class, or natural abilities
29. What does 'active listening' primarily involve? → Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is said
30. What is one advantage of getting a Master of Arts degree? → Career advancement