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Grading Scale and Criteria Flashcards

6 cards from real PSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Grading Scale and Criteria flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following is NOT one of PSA's primary grading criteria?

    Answer: Card thickness

    PSA grades cards based on centering, corners, edges, and surface condition. Card thickness is not a primary grading criterion, although cards can be rejected if they appear trimmed.

  2. What does PSA's PD qualifier indicate on a graded card?

    Answer: Print Defect

    PD stands for Print Defect, indicating a factory-caused printing flaw that affects appearance but was present from production, not due to handling.

  3. When grading a card's edges, which defect is considered most serious?

    Answer: Notching

    Notching, where small chunks have been torn or cut from the card's edge, is considered the most serious edge defect because it represents material loss.

  4. Does PSA issue a 9.5 grade between PSA 9 and PSA 10?

    Answer: PSA 9.5 does not exist, the scale goes directly from 9 to 10

    PSA does not issue a 9.5 grade. The scale goes from PSA 9 (Near Mint-Mint) directly to PSA 10 (Gem Mint).

  5. In PSA terminology, what distinguishes a scratch from a scuff on a card's surface?

    Answer: A scuff is surface abrasion that dulls the finish without breaking through; a scratch penetrates the surface coating

    A scuff is light abrasion that dulls the card's finish without breaking through the coating, while a scratch penetrates the surface layer and is treated more severely in grading.

  6. Why does PSA differentiate between manufacturing defects and post-production damage?

    Answer: Manufacturing defects may receive qualifiers but do not affect authenticity, while post-production damage reflects handling quality

    Manufacturing defects such as print lines or miscuts receive qualifier notations and may affect the grade, but they do not compromise authenticity. Post-production damage reflects how the card was handled and directly determines the numeric grade.