Quick Summary
Discover the toughest exams in the world, ranked based on difficulty, pass rates, and competition.
Exams like UPSC, CFA, and Gaokao challenge millions with their extreme syllabus and low success rates.
Find out why these exams are so hard and how students prepare to crack them.
Many students and professionals face challenging exams to achieve their dreams. Some exams are so difficult that only a small percentage of candidates can pass. In this article, we will explore the toughest exam in the world, highlighting what makes them so hard. If you are preparing for one of these exams, this guide will help you understand the competition and requirements.
Before we explore the list of hardest exams, let’s first understand what makes an exam the toughest exam in the world. There are several factors that contribute to the difficulty level of an exam:
Understanding these factors will help you appreciate why cracking the toughest exam in the world requires not just intelligence but also discipline, strategy, and resilience.
Exams are a crucial part of education and career-building. However, some exams are so challenging that only a small percentage of candidates pass them. These are known as the toughest exams in the world because of their difficulty level, vast syllabus, and intense competition.
This list ranks the top 10 toughest exams in the world, considering factors such as competition, pass rates, syllabus, and exam duration.
The Gaokao is the answer to your question “what is the toughest exam in the world”, first introduced in 1952, is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world. This exam is for students who have completed their final year of high school and wish to enter college. The Gaokao is known for its extreme difficulty and high stakes, making it one of the toughest exams in the world. Every year, millions of students take the test, facing intense pressure to perform well and secure a spot at a prestigious university. Due to its complexity and impact on a student’s future, the Gaokao remains one of the world hardest test.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | 9.75 million annually (Source) |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 9 hours, conducted over 2-3 days |
Pass Rate | Low |
Competition | High |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Held annually in Mainland China. Subjects covered: Science, Math, Language. |
Impact of the Exam | To get into top colleges in China |
This high-stakes exam is a life-changing test for Chinese students, making it one of the toughest exams in the world.
The UPSC exams are for individuals who aspire to join the Civil Services in India, including roles such as IAS, IPS, and IFS. Known for its complexity and rigorous selection process, the UPSC exam is often considered one of the toughest exam in the world. Candidates must pass multiple stages, including a preliminary exam, mains, and an interview, each designed to test their knowledge, analytical skills, and decision-making abilities. Cracking the UPSC exam is a significant achievement, as it opens doors to prestigious government positions. For many, it remains one of the toughest exam in the world to conquer. The preparation to crack the UPSC exam could go on for years.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | Over 11 lakh |
Purpose of the Exam | To get into the field of Civil Services |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 3 hours, 2 MCQ type papers: General Studies Paper-1, General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT) |
Pass Rate | 0.2% |
Competition Level | High |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | India |
Impact of the Exam | To pursue careers in Civil Services |
The exam demands deep knowledge, analytical ability, and writing skills, making it the hardest government exam globally.
The IIT JEE is a standardized entrance exam in India for students aspiring to become engineers. Taken by students after completing their intermediate education, this exam is often considered one of the toughest exam in the world. The IIT JEE tests students’ knowledge and problem-solving abilities in subjects like physics, chemistry, and mathematics. It is known for its high level of difficulty and intense competition, making it another example of the toughest exam in the world. Success in the IIT JEE opens doors to India’s most prestigious engineering institutes, making it a crucial step for aspiring engineers.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | Over 11 lakh |
Purpose of the Exam | To enter top colleges in the field of engineering |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 3 hours, 90 questions, 4 marks each |
Pass Rate | 20-30% (Source) |
Competition Level | High |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Held annually in India in all states. Subjects covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. |
Impact of the Exam | To get into top graduate colleges in India |
Due to the difficulty level and intense competition, JEE Advanced is one of the toughest exams in the world for engineering aspirants.
The CFA exam is widely regarded as one of the toughest exam in the world, particularly in the field of finance. Its rigorous structure and extensive syllabus make it incredibly challenging for candidates. In fact, some consider it the toughest exam in the world for those pursuing a career in finance. Accepted in over 100 countries, the CFA Certification opens doors to numerous career opportunities. In India, becoming a CFA can lead to high-demand positions in finance, investment, and management. Cracking this exam is a significant achievement, as it marks one of the hardest qualifications to earn globally.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | 25,000 |
Purpose of the Exam | To qualify as a CFA Charter |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 6 hours, 240 questions |
Pass Rate and Competition Level | 20% in Level 1 (Source) |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | All over India. Subjects covered include Economics, Financial Reporting and Analysis, and Portfolio Management |
Impact and Importance of the Exam | High importance for members who want to get into Finance |
With its low success rate and demanding syllabus, CFA is considered the toughest finance exam in the world.
The GRE is a widely recognized test that helps applicants qualify for a master’s degree, especially in the United States. It is often considered one of the toughest exam in the world due to its challenging format, which tests verbal reasoning, quantitative skills, and analytical thinking. Top universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) require a high GRE score for admission, making it a crucial step for those aspiring to pursue higher education. For many students, the GRE is one of the toughest exam in the world, demanding intense preparation to achieve competitive scores for international academic opportunities.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | Over 11 lakh |
Purpose of the Exam | To get into top colleges for MS across the world |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 3 hours 45 minutes |
Pass Rate | 43% |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Across the world |
Impact of the Exam | To get into top global universities in Technology |
The GATE exam is an internationally recognized standardized test that assesses aspirants’ knowledge and aptitude in engineering and technical fields. It is often considered one of the toughest exam in the world due to its complex questions and high level of difficulty. To crack the GATE exam, candidates must undergo intense preparation, covering a wide range of topics in engineering. The exam tests both theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving skills. Because of its challenging nature, the GATE exam is regarded as one of the toughest exam in the world for those pursuing careers in engineering and technology.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | Almost 10 lakh students |
Purpose of the Exam | To get admission into IITs, IISC, IIITs, NITs, and other prestigious institutes |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 3 hours |
Pass Rate | 18% (Source) |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | India, Singapore, and Germany. Subjects covered include Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Information Technology, and Computer Science Engineering |
Impact of the Exam | High importance for technical professionals |
Mensa is an exclusive society for individuals with high intelligence and IQ, where members are in the top 2% globally, with an intelligence quotient of 98% or higher. Joining Mensa requires passing one of the toughest exam in the world, designed to assess logical thinking, reasoning abilities, and problem-solving skills. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional intellectual capacity, as the test challenges their cognitive abilities to the fullest. Due to its high standards, the Mensa entrance exam is often regarded as one of the toughest exam in the world. Success means being part of a prestigious group of highly intelligent individuals.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Purpose of the Exam | To belong to an elite community of internationally high IQ |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 25 minutes, 35 problems |
Pass Rate | 0.02% |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Conducted in roughly 90 countries such as the US, UK, Ireland, and Germany |
Impact of the Exam | To be a part of an elite community of IQ over 98% |
The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, conducted by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), is widely considered one of the toughest exam in the world. It tests sommeliers on their expertise in wine, beverage service, and food pairing. This exam challenges candidates with in-depth knowledge of wine regions, tasting techniques, and pairing principles, making it one of the toughest exam in the world for those in the hospitality industry. Achieving this diploma requires years of training and dedication, as it is a prestigious qualification that marks a high level of proficiency in the art of wine and beverage service.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | 70 |
Purpose of the Exam | To ensure higher standards of knowledge on beverages and services in the hospitality industry |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 50 minutes |
Pass Rate | 5-10% |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Twice per year in the US and once yearly in the UK |
The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam, administered by Oxford University, is one of the toughest exam in the world. This historic examination has been conducted for decades and is known for its extreme difficulty. The exam is highly competitive, with only a few candidates selected for the prestigious 7-year fellowship. Due to its rigorous standards and the intellectual demands it places on applicants, the All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is often regarded as one of the toughest exam in the world. Success in this exam is a rare and remarkable achievement, representing the pinnacle of academic excellence at Oxford.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Total Number of Students | 80 |
Purpose of the Exam | To qualify for a 7-year fellowship |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 3 hours for 4 papers each |
Pass Rate | 2.5% (Source) |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | English Literature, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics |
The CCIE exam is designed for professionals who specialize in building and maintaining technology infrastructures. Often considered one of the toughest exam in the world, the CCIE requires candidates to demonstrate expertise in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex network systems. The exam consists of a series of tests that assess both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills. Due to its difficulty and the level of expertise required, the CCIE is frequently regarded as one of the toughest exam in the world for those pursuing a career in network engineering. Successfully passing this exam opens doors to advanced career opportunities in the tech industry.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Purpose of the Exam | To get into building technology infrastructures |
Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
Duration and Format | 2 hours, 6 series of tests |
Pass Rate | 30% (Source) |
Scope and Coverage of the Exam | CISCO Engineers are tested on subjects including Network Infrastructure, Software Defined Infrastructure, Infrastructure Structure, and Services |
These are among the toughest exam in the world due to their rigorous syllabus, high competition, and complex evaluation methods. Whether it’s academic excellence, professional expertise, or intelligence assessment, each of these tests challenges candidates to push their limits and prove their capabilities on a global scale.
Here’s a comparison for the toughest exam in the world, focusing on their country/region, success rate, and number of applicants:
Exam Name | Country/Region | Success Rate | Number of Applicants |
---|---|---|---|
Gaokao Exam | China | ~20% (varies by region) | ~10 million annually |
UPSC Civil Services Examination | India | <1% | ~10 lakh annually |
IIT JEE Advanced | India | ~0.56% | ~2.5 lakh (after JEE Main) |
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam | Global | ~40% (Level III) | ~250,000 candidates globally |
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) | Global | Varies by program/university | ~700,000 annually globally |
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) | India | ~15% | ~10 lakh annually |
Mensa IQ Test | Global | ~2% | N/A (conducted worldwide) |
Master Sommelier Diploma Exam | Global | <10% | Fewer than 1,000 attempts |
All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam | UK | Extremely low (<1%) | Limited to Oxford graduates |
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) | Global | ~10% | ~10,000 attempts annually |
Despite the immense challenges, thousands of students attempt the toughest exam in the world every year. Here’s why:
Preparing for the world toughest exam requires a strategic approach. Here are some universal tips:
Cracking the toughest exam in the world is no small feat, but with determination and the right strategies, it is achievable. Whether you’re aiming for UPSC, JEE Advanced, or any other challenging exam, remember that perseverance is key. By understanding the difficulty factors, analyzing success stories, and implementing effective preparation techniques, you can increase your chances of success.
We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the tough exam in the world while addressing your queries comprehensively. Share this guide with fellow aspirants and embark on your journey toward excellence!
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The Gaokao (China’s National College Entrance Exam) is widely regarded as the toughest exam in the world due to its extensive syllabus, intense competition, and low acceptance rates.
Yes, the Gaokao is considered tougher than JEE due to its broader syllabus, longer duration (9 hours over multiple days), and higher competition levels.
The top 3 toughest exams in India are:
1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (for IAS, IPS, IFS roles)
2. IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering entrance exam)
3. NEET (medical entrance exam)
While equally demanding, they stand at the same difficulty level. International Baccalaureate and International English Language Testing Systems are taken to assess the knowledge to apply internationally to universities. While for IB students, and universities exempt from IELTS, non-international board students do need to take IELTS to be accepted internationally. Difficulty levels of both are comparable.
The Gaokao is also known as the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. It is considered one of the toughest exam in Asia. It is China’s standardized college entrance exam and is known for its high difficulty level and intense competition. Over 10.7 million students participate in the exam every year.
Yes, NEET is one of the toughest exam in the world. It is highly competitive, with millions of students appearing for limited medical seats. The exam tests deep knowledge in physics, chemistry, and biology, requiring strong conceptual understanding, time management, and problem-solving skills to secure admission to top medical colleges.
There is no official recognition by the Guinness Book for the toughest exam in the world. Claims about such records are false.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.