asquare, i think you are right for some schools, but not all. for example, this is princeton's requirements:
Quote:
Requirements
Satisfactory performance in the six first-year courses is required for passing the first part of the general examination. Students need to demonstrate competency in basic mathematics by passing a written examination. A course in mathematics for economists (ECO 500) is offered annually by the department and entering students with inadequate preparation are advised to take this course.
Students are expected to take at least six advanced courses during their second year. At the end of the second year, they are required to take examinations in two fields that are usually chosen from among the following list: (1) advanced macroeconomic theory, (2) advanced microeconomic theory, (3) behavioral/experimental, (4) demography, (5) econometrics, (6) economic development, (7) financial economics, (8) industrial organization, (9) international money and finance, (10) international trade, (11) labor economics, (12) political economy, and (13) public finance. Students may also participate in the Program in Political Economy. Participation in this program requires that students take two designated graduate courses in politics and that they choose political economy as one of the two fields for the examination. Students are advised to consult with appropriate faculty members on the extent and the coverage of the fields.
In the second year, students are also required to write a research paper on a topic of their choice.
All students are encouraged to attend weekly seminars in their area of interest. Students who have passed their generals are expected to regularly attend one weekly seminar. There is no language requirement.
Students are granted a master’s degree providing they pass the six first-year courses with an average of 2.5 or better and two field examinations, or six courses beyond the first-year core.
To obtain the Ph.D., the qualified candidate must also submit an acceptable written dissertation and pass a final public oral examination.
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so they call all the requirements together "general examination", but there is no separate exam testing your knowledge of micro/macro/metrics other than the course exams themselves.