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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
highest level of education completed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "highest level of education completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as job applications, surveys, or educational forms where you need to inquire about someone's educational background. Example: "Please indicate your highest level of education completed on the application form."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
51 human-written examples
Education was assessed as the highest level of education completed, ranging from 5 years (primary education) to 18 years (university).
Science
Education was measured by the highest level of education completed (elementary school not completed, elementary school completed, vocational education/general secondary education, and college or university education) and dichotomised into "better educated than secondary education" (yes/no).
Education was measured by the highest level of education completed and categorized into "elementary school not completed", "elementary school completed", "vocational education/general secondary education", and "college or university education".
Education was measured as the highest level of education completed by the respondent and was categorized as less than a high school diploma, high school diploma or General Educational Development test (GED) equivalent, some college, or at least a college degree.
Science
Education was measured by asking for the highest level of education completed and was categorized into "elementary school not completed", "elementary school completed", "vocational education/general secondary education", and "college or university education".
Demographic and other covariate data were collected on age (treated categorically as < 30 years, 30 40 years, 41 50 years, and 51+ years), highest level of education completed (post-graduate, undergraduate, vocational, high school completion, and some primary or secondary school completion), and children living at home.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
9 human-written examples
In addition, men reported the highest level of education achieved (completed or not high school) and their country of birth.
Science
We asked participants to report their highest grade or level of education completed in one of 7 categories: 8 yrs, 8 11 yrs, high school graduate, post high school training and technical college, some college, college graduate and post graduate.
Science
Educational qualifications are measured by directly asking respondents for the highest qualification they have obtained or level of education completed, using a country-specific show card representing the relevant responses in any given country.
_____________ (MM DD YYYY) What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Science
Socio-economic status (SES) was defined by the highest level of education that was completed.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
For clarity, follow the phrase with specific options or categories (e.g., "less than high school", "high school diploma", "some college", "bachelor's degree", "graduate degree").
Common error
Do not assume everyone understands the educational system in your region. Providing clear and universally understandable options (e.g., primary school, secondary school, bachelor's degree, master's degree) prevents confusion.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "highest level of education completed" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the uppermost point of academic achievement for an individual. Ludwig provides many examples of this phrase being used in studies.
Frequent in
Science
100%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "highest level of education completed" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for indicating an individual's educational attainment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent usage in scientific and research contexts for gathering demographic data and assessing socioeconomic factors. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific educational categories and tailoring the approach to the target audience.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
highest educational qualification achieved
Focuses on the qualification obtained rather than the process of completion.
highest academic degree attained
Specifically emphasizes academic degrees as the measure of educational achievement.
level of academic attainment
More formal and focuses on overall academic success.
terminal degree
Refers to the highest degree attainable in a specific field.
academic credentials
Focuses on formal qualifications and certifications.
degree level
Simplifies the phrase to only indicate the level of the degree.
educational background
A broader term encompassing all educational experiences.
years of schooling completed
Quantifies education in terms of time spent in formal education.
last grade completed
Focuses on the final grade achieved in education.
educational history
A general term referring to the record of educational achievements.
FAQs
How do I correctly use "highest level of education completed" in a sentence?
You can use it in questions like, "Please indicate your "highest level of education completed" on the application form", or in statements like, "The survey collected data on participants' "highest level of education completed"".
What are some alternatives to "highest level of education completed"?
Alternatives include "highest educational qualification achieved", "highest academic degree attained", or simply "educational background" depending on the specific context.
Which is correct: "highest level of education completed" or "highest education level completed"?
"Highest level of education completed" is the more common and grammatically standard phrasing. "Highest education level completed" is less frequently used but understandable.
How is "highest level of education completed" typically categorized in surveys?
Common categories include: "no formal education", "primary school", "secondary school", "some college", "bachelor's degree", and "graduate degree". The specific categories depend on the target audience and research goals.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested