How well do you understand the difference between low grade cards and Altered cards? What kinds of flaws result in the dreaded “A” (authentic / altered) label? Take the quiz to find out!

We have written about Low grade vs. Altered cards in the past, but don’t cheat–read the article after you take the quiz.

Understanding Low Grade vs. Authentic / Altered at PSA and SGC

1 / 10

True or False: A PSA miscut qualifer (MC) and SGC "miscut" label are equivalent.

2 / 10

True or False: A card with marker on it will always grade "Altered / color added."

3 / 10

True or False: A PSA card with a qualifier would grade higher if not for the qualifier. For example, a PSA 5 (OC) might grade 6 or 7 with better centering.

4 / 10

True or false: A pinhole is a fatal flaw that results in an automatic "A" (authentic / altered) grade.

5 / 10

True or False: cards with stains, extreme creasing, severely rounded corners, or even small pieces missing can still grade 1 and not Altered.

6 / 10

True or False: Older style "screw-down" holders are responsible for many A / Altered grades.

7 / 10

True or False: If a card has stray pencil markings on it, you might as well erase them--the card is already altered!

8 / 10

True or False: "Authentic / Altered" isn't the end of the world. In fact, nice-looking A grades often outsell beat-up 1 grades!

9 / 10

True or False: PSA discontinued most qualifiers and no longer assigns the (OC) qualifier, instead opting to assign a lower grade.

10 / 10

True or False: "Authentic" / no number grade is only assigned to deceptive practices, like trimming, that occur after a card has been purchased, and not honest manufacturing defects.

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The average score is 73%

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