Here is my experiance:

To be a ph.d-

Do course work (B minimum- not hard to get), if you get this it is said that you know things.

Pass written and oral qualifying exams (I found these are tough). This gives you some more confidense that you could qualify.

Work and make advisor happy. Publish some if you can. You will get phd even if you could not publish.

I think we must have to play many tricks to get jobs and deal with life.