Toughest Exam In The World - 10 Extremely Competitive Exams

Introduction

Exams are an integral part of the education system worldwide, acting as milestones in academic and professional journeys. While some exams are known for their difficulty, others have earned a reputation for being nearly impossible to crack. So, what makes an exam “tough”? Is it the content, the level of competition, the immense preparation required, or the stress associated with it? In this blog, we’ll explore the toughest exams in the world, examining the factors that contribute to their difficulty, and providing insights into what makes them stand out.

Understanding these challenging exams can give you an idea of the commitment, dedication, and strategy required to succeed in them.

What Makes an Exam “Tough”?

Before delving into specific exams, let’s define what makes an exam difficult:

1. Difficulty of Content: The complexity and depth of the material tested.
2. Pass Rate Statistics: Low pass rates often indicate the exam’s difficulty level, as fewer candidates manage to clear it.
3. Preparation Time Required: Some exams require years of preparation, while others demand only a few months of intense study.
4. Stress and Pressure: The emotional and psychological toll exams have on candidates is another important factor in defining their toughness.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most challenging exams from around the world.

1. Gaokao

The Gaokao, first introduced in 1952, is widely regarded as one of the toughest exam 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 exam 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 toughest exam in the world.

• Subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Languages, including the Chinese language, constitute the exam.
• Students do have the option to choose another international language as well.

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

2. IIT-JEE

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.

• The IIT JEE comes among the top 5 toughest exams in the world due to the high number of applicants competing for a handful of seats.
• The IIT JEE exam mainly tests the technical skills of an aspirant. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are the primary subjects in assessment.

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

3. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

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.

• The aspirants must have a solid knowledge of History, Geography, General Sciences, Government, Social Development, and Economics.
• The UPSC exam tests applicants primarily on these subjects, along with General Knowledge and communication skills.
• The age limit for cracking this exam is between 21 to 32 years, leaving only a small window for aspirants to get through. The exam also comes with a limit on the number of attempts. One cannot attempt the exam more than 6 times(General) and 9 times(OBC).

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

4. Mensa

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.

• The test assesses the test takers’ Logic, Critical Thinking, Reasoning Ability, and Problem-Solving.
• The age group for membership of Mensa ranges from 2 years to 100 years, as known. Those who qualify to be a part of Mensa belong to an elite community with an internationally high IQ.

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%

5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

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.

• Though the GRE was initially targeted at qualifying candidates for US universities, now the GRE is being accepted in more than 90 countries.
• GRE measures Verbal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, Critical Thinking, and Analytical Writing.

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

6. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

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.

• There are 3 levels to the exam, and apart from these 3 levels, the aspirants should get a professional experience of at least 48 months to qualify for the third level.
• The first 2 levels consist of objective-type questions, and the last is a subjective-type assessment.
• Only aspirants having prior professional experience receive the CFA Charter.

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

7. GATE

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.

• Indian, German, and Singapore-based universities primarily accept the GATE exam considering the industry growth in technology in these countries.
• The exam combines Aptitude-based Objective type answers, multiple-choice questions, and Numeric answers.
• The subjects include engineering to life sciences.

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

8. CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)

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.

• Mainly the CISCO engineers qualify to become a part of this exam. The high number of CISCO engineers and low qualification success rate make it one of the toughest test series to crack.
• The exam comprises 6 tests assessing collaboration, routing, security, and other aspects. The difficulty level of the subject qualifies this as the hardest subject in the world.

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

9.  Exam for the Master Sommelier Diploma

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.

• This exam is designed to ensure higher standards of knowledge on beverages and services in the hospitality industry. The success rate of this exam is only 10% success which aspirants receive after several retakes and reattempts.
• The three test levels of this exam are service, theory, and blind tasting.

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

10. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

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.

• The main subject put to the test here is the Humanities. The aspirants are asked to submit 2 essays on any topic, mainly in the Humanities.
• Only students with a solid background in Humanities get to partake in this exam.

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

Criteria to Determine the World’s Toughest Exam

Whether it’s considered the toughest exam in the world or any other challenging test, certain criteria make an exam difficult. Factors like the complexity of the subject matter, the depth of knowledge required, and the level of competition all contribute to its toughness. For example, the toughest exam in the world often demands not only intellectual ability but also exceptional problem-solving skills, time management, and mental endurance. The high stakes involved and the preparation needed make these exams incredibly tough, pushing candidates to their limits and testing their capacity to perform under pressure.

1. Difficulty level of the exam

This means how hard the questions are in the exam. Tough exams have challenging questions that require a lot of thinking and understanding. They may include complex problems or require in-depth knowledge of the subject.

2. Duration and format of the exam

This refers to how long the exam lasts and how it is structured. Tough exams often have a limited time to answer a lot of questions. They may have different sections or formats, such as multiple-choice, essays, or practical tasks.

3. Pass rate and competition level

The pass rate means how many people can succeed in the exam. Tough exams have a low pass rate, meaning only a small percentage of people pass. The competition level is high because many people are trying to do well, making it harder to stand out.

4. Scope and coverage of the exam

The scope means the range or extent of the topics covered in the exam. Tough exams cover a wide range of subjects or detailed information about a subject. They require a deep understanding of various concepts and may test knowledge from different areas.

Exams with a broad scope can assess not only a student’s factual knowledge but also their ability to integrate and apply concepts across different domains. This comprehensive coverage ensures that students are well-rounded and proficient in the subject matter, preparing them effectively for future academic or professional challenges.

5. Impact and importance of the exam

The impact and importance of an exam cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to crucial stages in education and career development. Exams often serve as benchmarks for academic achievement, determining eligibility for advanced studies, scholarships, and prestigious programs. They can also influence a student’s confidence and self-esteem, shaping their academic identity and future aspirations.

In the professional world, certain exams are gatekeepers to career progression. For instance, passing the bar exam is mandatory for aspiring lawyers, while medical licensure exams are essential for doctors. These exams validate the knowledge and skills required to practice in specialized fields, ensuring a standard of competence and safety.

Moreover, exams often reflect a student’s ability to handle pressure and manage time effectively—skills that are valuable in any career. Achieving high scores can lead to recognition, awards, and other accolades, further enhancing one’s resume. Ultimately, the importance of exams lies in their ability to open doors, validate expertise, and provide a structured pathway for personal and professional growth.

In a Nutshell: World’s Most Competitive Exams

We’ve explored some of the toughest exam in the world! While these exams can be extremely challenging, they also offer incredible opportunities for growth and achievement. With dedication and hard work, it is possible to crack even the toughest exam in the world. Determining which exam is the absolute toughest depends on various factors, including the number of candidates, the subjects tested, and the time constraints. Due to these varying elements, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single answer for the toughest exam in the world. Each exam has its own unique challenges that make it demanding in its own way.

We’ve listed some of the top contenders for the toughest exam in the world, including the Civil Services Examination in India, the Gaokao in China, and the IIT-JEE and SAT. While these exams are incredibly competitive and challenging, it’s important not to be intimidated by them. Instead of focusing on the difficulty, embrace the learning process and use the opportunity to grow. The toughest exam in the world may seem daunting, but with dedication and the right mindset, it can become a stepping stone toward success and personal development. Stay focused on gaining knowledge and becoming the best version of yourself.

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