Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World

1. Gaokao Exam – China

The Gaokao, officially known as the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), is widely regarded as the most challenging exam in the world. It's a mandatory test for Chinese high school seniors who want to enter top-tier universities in China.

Held once a year over two to three days, the exam is extremely intense. Students face nine hours of testing across multiple subjects, with their entire future academic and career path often hinging on their score.

To gain admission into China's most prestigious universities, candidates typically need to score above 600 out of a maximum of 750. Those who don't meet the mark often retake the exam the following year.

Why Gaokao is Considered the Toughest:

• Extreme Competition: In 2024, over 13.4 million students sat for the exam, competing for just 50,000 to 60,000 seats in the nation's elite universities. This results in a success rate of only 0.003% to 0.004%.
• Immense Pressure: The high-stakes nature of the exam, combined with its long duration, creates intense psychological pressure on students.
• Given its sheer scale, difficulty, and pressure, the Gaokao tops the list of the world's hardest exams.

2. JEE Advanced – India

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is ranked as the second toughest exam in the world and one of the most challenging exams in India. It's the gateway to admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)—top-tier engineering institutions recognized globally.

To even qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must first clear the JEE Main, which itself is highly competitive. Out of over a million students who take the JEE Main, only about 10–20% make it to the Advanced stage.

JEE Advanced is a national-level undergraduate entrance exam that tests candidates on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with high complexity, analytical reasoning, and time constraints. Given its difficulty and low selection ratio, it holds the number two spot among the world's toughest exams.

Why JEE Advanced is Among the Toughest Exams:

• Massive Competition: With lakhs of aspirants each year and only a fraction making it through to the IITs, even minor mistakes can drastically affect rankings.
• Depth of Knowledge: The exam goes far beyond surface-level learning. It challenges students to understand core concepts and apply them in innovative ways.
• Pressure & Time Constraints: The three-hour exam demands quick thinking, precision, and excellent time management, testing both intelligence and endurance under stress.
• These factors make JEE Advanced a formidable challenge, demanding years of dedicated preparation and mental resilience.

3. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

When discussing the most challenging exams in India, the UPSC Civil Services Exam (commonly known as the IAS exam) stands out as a top contender. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), this national-level examination is the gateway to prestigious administrative roles in the Indian government. It serves as the selection process for elite services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and various other Central Civil Services.

The exam unfolds in three rigorous phases: Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and a Personality Test (Interview). Successful candidates often go on to hold influential positions in governance, including roles as Secretaries of key ministries and departments at both the central and state levels.

Exam Overview:

Why UPSC CSE Is Considered the World's Toughest Exam?

• Challenging Syllabus: The UPSC syllabus is vast and demanding, covering subjects such as Indian history, governance, science, current affairs, and even ethics. Preparing for this exam requires an in-depth understanding of each subject, making it incredibly challenging for candidates to master the required material.
• Intense Competition: Each year, thousands of aspirants vie for a handful of prestigious government posts. The competition is fierce, with over 900 candidates competing for just one position. This intense rivalry makes it even harder for candidates to stand out.
• Rigorous Selection Process: The selection process involves a two-tiered written exam (Prelims and Mains) followed by a personality test (interview). Only the best-prepared and most resilient candidates manage to pass this exhaustive process, making it one of the toughest recruitment systems in the world.

Conquering the UPSC CSE is a monumental achievement that requires not only intellectual ability but also immense perseverance and passion for public service. Those who succeed earn the prestigious opportunity to serve as India's top bureaucrats, playing a vital role in shaping the nation's future.

4. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam, held by All Souls College at Oxford University in the UK, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging exams in the world. It serves as the selection process for post-doctoral researchers who are awarded a prestigious 7-year fellowship. This fellowship offers recipients the freedom to pursue independent research, writing, and academic exploration without the obligation of teaching or formal academic duties. Due to its difficulty, only a small number of candidates succeed each year.

Why is the All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam Considered Among the Toughest?

Consider this scenario: you're an expert historian, but the exam confronts you with a deep philosophical query about consciousness or a complex literary prompt demanding connections across various disciplines. The exam demands exactly this level of intellectual flexibility and depth. Here's what makes it so formidable:

• Highly Competitive and Selective: Only a limited number of candidates are shortlisted annually, drawing top-tier scholars from across the Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Dual-Area Assessment: The exam tests both depth and breadth:
  • Specialist Papers: These evaluate deep expertise in a chosen discipline, such as History, Classics, or Law.
  • General Papers: These require candidates to tackle wide-ranging topics, encouraging critical and creative thinking beyond their specialization.
• Demand for Originality and Insight: It's not about repeating known facts. Success hinges on demonstrating analytical thinking, originality, and the ability to thoughtfully engage with complex ideas.
• Unusual and Thought-Provoking Questions: The exam avoids predictable prompts, instead presenting intellectually demanding questions that challenge candidates to respond with spontaneity and depth.
• High Expectations: Given the fellowship's prestige, candidates face intense pressure to excel—often early in their academic careers—making the exam all the more demanding.

5. USMLE – United States Medical Licensing Examination

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a challenging series of assessments that aspiring physicians must clear to gain medical licensure in the U.S. Renowned for its high standards and comprehensive scope, the USMLE is often cited as one of the most demanding exams in the world. Despite relatively high pass rates—ranging from 94% to 97% depending on the step—the level of difficulty remains considerable, especially given the intense preparation it requires. Most candidates dedicate several months to over a year of focused study. The exam's results significantly influence acceptance into competitive residency programs and play a vital role in shaping medical careers. To meet the English language proficiency requirement for the USMLE, candidates are required to pass the Occupational English Test (OET), rather than more general tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

Why Is the USMLE Considered Among the Toughest Exams in the World?

Pass Rates Reflect the Challenge:

• Step 1: Pass rates for U.S. and Canadian medical graduates hover around 94–96%, revealing the test's difficulty, even among well-prepared students.
• Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge): Also maintains a pass rate around 94–97%.
• Step 3: Slightly higher pass rate of 96–97% for first-time takers, but still demanding in terms of preparation and content.

• Extensive Preparation Time: Most candidates invest months—sometimes over a year—into rigorous study, practice tests, and content review for each exam step.
• High Stakes and Competitiveness: Especially with Step 1, scores are a major criterion for residency program selection. This creates immense pressure to perform well, as it can directly influence career direction and specialization opportunities.
• Depth and Breadth of Content: The exam spans a wide array of topics, including basic medical sciences, patient care, diagnostics, treatment planning, ethics, and clinical decision-making across various medical disciplines.
• Significant Career Impact: Successfully passing the USMLE is not only essential for medical licensure in the U.S. but also a key milestone in advancing toward a specialized and rewarding medical career.

For those looking for a more academically relaxed path, exploring some of the world's easiest courses might offer a contrast to this intense medical journey. On the other hand, aspiring medical professionals who wish to practice in Dubai need to pass the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) exam—another competitive licensing process in its own right.

6. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam

The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is considered one of the most exclusive and demanding professional exams globally. It consists of three sections: an oral theory exam, a blind tasting of six wines, and a practical service test. To pass, candidates must score at least 75% in each section, showcasing not only technical expertise but also exceptional hospitality skills, salesmanship, and refined etiquette.

Only those who have cleared the Advanced Sommelier Examination—where the pass rate stands at just 25–30%—are eligible to attempt the Master level. The theory section alone has a pass rate of about 10%. Since the Court of Master Sommeliers does not disclose the total number of examinees, the overall difficulty remains shrouded in exclusivity.

Why is it Among the World's Toughest Exams?

• Extensive Knowledge Base: Candidates must master grape varieties, wine regions, winemaking methods, food pairings, and service protocol.
• Rigorous Standards: Since its inception in 1969, only 269 individuals worldwide have earned the title of Master Sommelier.
• Demanding Preparation: Requires years of study, mentorship, tasting practice, and real-world experience.
• High Stakes: Successful candidates can command elite salaries, attracting fierce competition globally.

7. ICAI CA / ICMAI CMA Exams

The Chartered Accountant (CA) and Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) exams are two of the most challenging professional certifications in India. Conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) respectively, these exams are split into three rigorous levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final.

Pass Rates:

• CA Final (Nov 2023): 9.42%
• CMA Final (Dec 2023):
  • 2016 Syllabus: 10.53%
  • 2022 Syllabus: 25.76%

Why Are These Among the Toughest?

• Massive Syllabus: Covers accounting, auditing, taxation, law, finance, cost management, and economics in depth.
• Low Success Rates: The consistently low pass percentages highlight their complexity.
• Fierce Competition: Limited seats and rising demand for certified professionals drive the challenge.

8. CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

The CCIE is a top-tier certification offered by Cisco for senior-level networking professionals. Divided into six specialized tracks—including security, data center, and wireless—this certification is intended for experts who design and manage advanced network infrastructures.

Exam Stats:

Why Is CCIE So Challenging?

• High Technical Complexity: Tests practical problem-solving in real-time networking environments.
• Global Demand: Its value in the IT industry makes it highly sought-after.
• Practical Lab: The hands-on lab exam is especially tough, contributing significantly to the low pass rate.

9. Mensa International

Mensa is not a traditional exam but a society recognizing individuals with exceptionally high IQs—specifically, those scoring in the top 2% on standardized intelligence tests. Established in 1946 in England, Mensa now has over 145,000 members in around 90 countries.

Why Is It Mentioned Among Tough Evaluations?

• Selective Entry: Entry requires exceptional cognitive ability, setting a very high intellectual benchmark.
• Global Recognition: Mensa membership is a prestigious symbol of intelligence worldwide.

10. CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst

The CFA credential, awarded by the CFA Institute, is considered the gold standard in finance and investment management. To become a CFA charterholder, candidates must pass three levels of exams covering areas like ethical standards, economics, financial reporting, portfolio management, and more.

Exam Overview:

Why Is It So Tough?

• Multi-Level Challenge: All three levels must be passed sequentially, each increasing in difficulty.
• Intensive Preparation: Candidates often spend over 300 hours preparing per level.
• Professional Value: The CFA is globally recognized and highly valued in financial sectors, raising the bar for success.