Affirmed by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

Duane McAtee appeals from his convictions for obstructing the administration of federal tax laws and two counts of failure to file a tax return. On appeal, McAtee argues that the district court erred in allowing him to represent himself at trial because the magistrate judge did not appropriately advise and warn McAtee on the record. Moreover, McAtee claims that his continued reliance on discredited legal theories demonstrated his lack of sophistication. We affirm.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees not only the right to be represented by counsel but also the right to self-representation. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 819, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). The decision to represent oneself must be knowing and intelligent, id. at 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525, and courts must entertain every reasonable presumption against waiver of counsel. Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 404, 97 S.Ct. 1232, 51 L.Ed.2d 424 (1977). The record must show that the waiver was clear, voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. United States v. Bernard, 708 F.3d 583, 588 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 134 S.Ct. 617, 187 L.Ed.2d 400 (2013).

*186 While a district court must determine whether a waiver of counsel is knowing and intelligent, no particular interrogation of the defendant is required, as long as the court warns the defendant of the dangers of self-representation so that “ ‘his choice is made with his eyes open.’ ” United States v. King, 582 F.2d 888, 890 (4th Cir. 1978) (quoting Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525). “The determination of whether there has been an intelligent waiver of right to counsel must depend, in each case, upon the particular facts and circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.” Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938); see United States v. Singleton, 107 F.3d 1091, 1097-98 (4th Cir. 1997) (court must consider record as a whole, including the defendant’s background, capabilities, and understanding of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation). *

Here, we find that the district court did not err in granting McAtee’s request to waive counsel and to represent himself. An examination of the record demonstrates that McAtee’s election to proceed pro se was clear, knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. While the district court’s colloquy was brief, the truncated nature of the discussion was due to McAtee’s refusal to answer questions or confirm certain facts of record. Moreover, it is undisputed that McAtee, who possessed a graduate degree, had recently represented himself at a related proceeding, which ended in a convietion and period of incarceration. This previous waiver of counsel also followed a colloquy, thus further ensuring that McA-tee was aware of the risks and difficulties involved in representing himself. In addition, the trial court repeatedly suggested that McAtee consult with stand-by counsel, reminding McAtee throughout the proceedings of the technicalities involved and the expertise of counsel, and stand-by counsel took an active role in the proceedings.

McAtee’s argument that his meritless defense was evidence of the fact that he was not qualified to represent himself is unavailing. “[T]he competence that is required of a defendant seeking to waive his right to counsel is the competence to waive the right, not the competence to represent himself.” Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 399, 113 S.Ct. 2680, 125 L.Ed.2d 321 (1993) (internal emphasis omitted). Furthermore, “the defendant’s technical legal knowledge is not relevant to the determination whether he is competent to waive his right to counsel.” Id. at 400, 113 S.Ct. 2680 (internal quotation marks omitted). Finally, the Supreme Court has noted that “while it is undeniable that in most criminal prosecutions defendants could better defend with counsel’s guidance than' by their own unskilled efforts, a criminal defendant’s ability to represent himself has no bearing upon his competence to choose self-representation.” Id. (internal quotation marks, alteration, citation, and emphasis omitted). As McAtee does not chal *187 lenge his competence to stand trial and waive his constitutional rights, his claim is without merit, and the record reflects no error.

Accordingly, we affirm McAtee’s convictions. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.