How would you like to take the world’s toughest exam? Here are the Top 15 Toughest Exams in the World in 2023 that people have to pass just to get into their profession or field of study. Find out what they are and if you’re prepared to take them!
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Top 15 Toughest Exams in the World 2023
The Toughest exams in the world are those that are designed to test the very limits of human brainpower and endurance. These exams test students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in ways that are more intense and difficult than other exams.
They are designed to push students to the absolute limit so that they might be able to perform at their very best. While some of these exams are held in UK and USA countries, some of them are held in India.
#1 LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)
The Law National Aptitude Test is a tough exam, with less than 30% of test-takers usually managing to score in a passing range. In order to do well on it, you’ll need to be familiar with legal terms and understand their context. The exact number of potential questions is between 55 and 80, and each is worth 1 mark.
There are also 2 supplemental sections that test your English proficiency: one essay section (worth 5 marks) and another multiple-choice section (worth 8 marks). Lastly, there’s an untimed writing section that tests your knowledge of law history. Note that all sections are unscored; you won’t receive feedback about how well you did until after the results have been released.
#2 UMSLE (The United States Medical Licensing Examination)
The medical profession requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology. The UMSLE is a timed exam that lasts up to 8 hours—and it isn’t easy. Although many students take years to prepare for it, those who pass can pursue an exciting career in medicine or other areas that require a license.
The UMSLE is offered twice per year and is divided into three steps: Step 1 (Basic Sciences), Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge), and Step 3 (Clinical Skills). If you fail any section of these exams on your first try, you have to wait 6 months before taking it again. That’s why it’s so important to start preparing early!
#3 GED (General Education Development)
It’s been around since 1942 and is taken by students all over the world as a way to earn their high school diplomas. GED test-takers can include people who didn’t finish high school, ESL students, former dropouts, and those pursuing college or career training.
The GED test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800; passing scores are set at 150 for each of five subjects (language arts, social studies, science, math, and reasoning through language arts). Getting a passing score takes hard work; a large portion of students take an average of 70 hours of study time over 20 weeks to prepare for it. Good luck!
#4 All Souls Mathematical Tripos (Oxford University)
All Souls Mathematical Tripos was instituted in 1879 and since then it has developed into a formidable examination. Mathematics at Oxford is taught on a three-year undergraduate course (BA or BSc), and it includes an exam that takes place at the end of each year, known as ‘Mods’ (stands for Moderations).
The top candidates are given awards such as Senior or Junior Mods Honours. There are also prizes awarded to those who show excellence in specific subjects. However, these awards are not really tough but they still contribute to making All Souls Mathematical Tripos one of the most challenging exams in the world.
#5 LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)
Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is a 3-hour, 25-question computer-based test which is used by UK universities as part of their selection process for entry onto law degree courses. It was first introduced in 2001.
To pass you must score at least 153 out of 225 on each paper. The LNAT is considered to be one of the toughest university entrance exams in England, and candidates have often reported sleepless nights before it because it is so hard.
It has become known as The exam from hell or The hardest exam in Britain. More than 200,000 candidates apply for only around 6500 places per year at UK law schools, so it pays to study hard and get good grades at school or college.
#6 Mensa Admission Test
Mensa is an international organization open to anyone who scores at or above the 98th percentile on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. To join Mensa, you must first take a legitimate, standardized IQ test and score in the top 2 percent of test-takers or higher.
Then, you’ll need to provide two references and fill out an application that includes questions about your personal background. Members are required to pay yearly dues which vary based on local chapters’ fees; however, some groups offer reduced membership rates for students.
The Mensa admission test is really only offered twice each year — in April and October — so plan ahead if you’re hoping to get tested by one of these dates!
#7 SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test, or simply SAT and commonly known as the Reasoning Test, is a standardized test administered by The College Board that was first administered in 1926. It has been revised and expanded several times, with a major overhaul in 2016.
This test is designed to assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning skills, and mathematics problem-solving ability intended to assess college readiness.
The amount of time needed to complete each section depends on which section you are taking; you have 75 minutes for Reading and Writing/Language, 80 minutes for Math (no calculator), 65 minutes for Math (calculator permitted), 25 minutes for Experimental (allows the use of calculator), and 10–25 minutes for Writing/Language with choice of the essay prompt.
#8 The Cooper Test
A three-mile run? How about 100 squats? Those are just two of many obstacles on The Cooper Test, a workout created by fitness pioneer/Marine Colonel Paul Bear Cooper.
The six events on his exam include 1) Two minutes of push-ups; 2) Two minutes of sit-ups; 3) A timed mile run, with a suggested pace of military time (i.e., 7 minutes per mile); 4) Five pull-ups; 5) 100 regular squats, and 6) A final 300-yard shuttle run. In 1953, Dr.
#9 IQ Test for Adults (Simon & Schuster)
Taking an IQ test for adults is one of several ways you can measure your intelligence. It will help you see if your smarts are average, above average, or truly exceptional. However, some people who take IQ tests score lower than they had expected and wonder why. The culprit is often anxiety.
An IQ test for adults is an assessment that consists of logic puzzles, abstract reasoning problems, and visual puzzles—all of which are highly challenging in their own right. Though these exams are meant to be fun, even entertaining, some people get so stressed out by a tough exam they forget how to have fun and perform at their best levels.
In other words: what we think we know about how smart we are may not be all that accurate!
#10 Indian Civil Service Examination
This exam is organized by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) of India. UPSC is responsible for the selection and induction of officers into civil services in the government of India including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), etc.
The candidates need to apply through offline mode only. This exam was first organized in 1871, but it still continues as one of the toughest exams in the world, which takes place three times a year i.e., January, April, and September.
#11 CA (Chartered Accountant)
CA (chartered accountants) are Certified Public Accountants. In India, it is also known as ‘The Fellow of Chartered Accountants’ or FCA.
This examination is conducted by the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). The candidates have to clear 4 levels in which exams are held at the national level, state level, group 1 and 2 levels respectively. world toughest exam
#12 California Bar Exam
The California Bar Exam is a grueling multi-day exam that consists of 10 full-length essays and an additional six-hour performance test. Studying for it can easily take up to 20 hours per week, making it one of America’s toughest exams.
As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a two-year waiting period before you can take it again, so failing once really means failing forever. Yikes! It’s no wonder that only 40% of people pass on their first try—and less than 75% pass within three tries. So why would anyone put themselves through such an experience?
#13 IES (Indian Engineering Services)
IES is an examination conducted by UPSC for the selection of officers for engineering services in the Government of India. The Engineering Services Examination is considered to be one of the toughest competitive exams in India, mainly due to its high failure rate.
It is held once a year and consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude Test) and Paper II (Professional ability test). The total marks allotted for both exams are 200 each, making a total of 400.
Each exam has equal weightage. However, general studies contribute only 35% while engineering aptitude contributes 65%. Moreover, there is negative markings throughout all questions; every wrong answer carries a -1 mark.
#14 GRE Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
With a few exceptions, most university faculties require applicants to take one GRE Subject Test. Most commonly it is chosen from among Biology (Psychology); Chemistry; Computer Science (Mathematics); History (Literature) or Psychology.
So, if you are applying to a business or computer science program, for example, it would make sense for you to take Mathematics as your subject test. Some schools also accept a non-GRE exam in lieu of or alongside your GRE score.
If you have your heart set on an Ivy League school that requires you to sit for the GRE and don’t have time to prepare for it—or have taken it already but feel that your score doesn’t accurately reflect how well you might do—consider taking any one of these exams instead.
#15 China Post
China Post has announced a five-level postal examination system for its employees. The new system came into effect on Sunday, replacing an old six-level grading scale.
According to a circular released by China Post’s Management Committee on Saturday, postmen at or above grade level 3 can take Levels A and B, while those below Grade 3 can only sit for Level C and D exams.
Officials in Grades 4 and above are not allowed to take any of these exams; they must be promoted based on their work performance, according to China Post. All candidates have six months after successfully passing each exam to meet the requirements before they will be awarded the next rank.
#16 Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam
Life-and-death, Hell, and Ultimate challenge are some of the words that people call the Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam. A pass rate of less than 1% and over 90% failure rate makes it one of the world’s toughest exams in 2023.
Candidates have to run 8 km (5 miles) inside a tunnel under construction on hilly terrain with frequent twists and turn for over an hour through cold air at an altitude of 2200 meters (7500 feet).
Once candidates have entered Guoliang Mountain village, there is no chance to escape until they complete Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam or give up. world toughest exam
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World 2023
- Gaokao.
- IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination)
- UPSC (Union Public Services Commission)
- Mensa.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, India)
Read– Top 10 Toughest exams in India 2023 and Why?
FAQs
Which exams are toughest in the world? ›
China's Gaokao exam has been rated to be the toughest in the world, which is a nine hour long exam. Nearly 12 million candidates appear for the exam on a yearly basis. England's Mensa exam is placed at the fourth spot, followed by the GRE exam.
What's the hardest test to pass? ›What are the hardest test exams in America to pass? The USMLE, the Graduate Record Examination, the Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert, Mensa, the California Bar Exam, the MCAT, the Chartered Financial Analyst Exams, the SAT, and IELTS are the toughest tests in America.
What is the hardest exam in the USA? ›1. MCAT. Before being admitted to medical school in the U.S., Canada, Australia, or the Caribbean Islands, you'll need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Used for over 90 years, tens of thousands of would-be physicians sit for the exam each year.
Which exam is best for future? ›- Common Admission Test (CAT) ...
- Management Aptitude Test (MAT) ...
- Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) ...
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) ...
- Common Proficiency Test (CPT) ...
- National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) PG. ...
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
Which are the hardest education systems in the world? Ans. The countries with the hardest and most difficult education systems include South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, etc.
What are the top 5 hardest exams? ›- Civil Services Exam (CSE)
- GATE.
- GRE.
- Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
- ICAI CA Exams.
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
- Mensa International.
- CFA.
- UPSC – Union Public Service Commission.
- CFA (Chief Financial Analyst)
- Mensa.
- JEE-Advanced.
- GATE.
- CCIE.
- Gaokao.
- GRE.
✅ Joint Entrance Examination (India)
Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a two-level test (JEE Main and JEE Advanced) for high school students in India to pursue undergraduate education in reputed engineering colleges.
With a total exam day test time of seven hours and 30 minutes, the MCAT is more than twice as long as the ACT or SAT. That doesn't even factor in the prep. Students spend on average about 240 hours preparing for the exam, according to the AAMC.
Which exam is so difficult? ›ISI (Indian Statistical Institute) Admission Test is a national level. It is considered to be most toughest exam in India. This exam is held once a year, and it grants various students admission into courses like B. Maths, B.
Which exam is best for USA? ›
- English language entrance tests: TOEFL or PTE.
- Entrance exams for undergraduate degrees: SAT or ACT.
- Entrance exams for postgraduate degrees including MA and MSc: GMAT or GRE.
- Entrance exams for MBA courses: GMAT.
- Medicine degree entrance test: MCAT.
- Law degree admission test: LSAT.
- SBI PO.
- RBI Grade B.
- IBPS Clerk.
- UPSC Civil Services.
- SSC CGL.
- UPSC CDS.
- IFS Officer.
- LIC AAO.
A few high potential career options in India are:
Chartered Accountant. Full Stack Software Developer. Company Secretary. Therapist (Occupational Therapy Assistant)
- Engineering. Engineering is a large scientific branch focused on the practical design and building of structures or machines. ...
- Healthcare. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Accounting. ...
- Economics & Finance.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in World To Crack in 2022. Recent Update: IIT-JEE, UPSC CSE, and GATE are among the world's most difficult exams. In the ranking, the IIT JEE test is ranked first in India and second in the globe.
What are the upcoming exams in 2023? ›- IBPS Exams. IBPS RRB Exam.
- SSC JE. SSC CGL.
- RRB Exams. RRB JE. RRB NTPC.
- LIC Exams. LIC HFL. LIC ADO.
In my opinion, the best ARE 5.0 exam order strategy and the one most commonly used, is to complete the 3 Professional practice exams first, which are: Practice Management (PcM) Project Management (PjM) Construction Evaluation (CE)
What grade is the hardest year? ›While junior year is often the hardest year of high school, the transition from middle school to 9th grade can also be tough. To make it easier, don't feel afraid to reach out to your teachers and counselors, and take advantage of the support resources that are available.
What is the longest exam in the world? ›What is the longest academic test in the world? The Gaokao examination is a compulsory exam which is to be given by every high school student in China who wishes to pursue higher education. The exam is conducted over 9 hours across two days.
Which country has toughest education? ›Which country has the hardest education system? South Korea, Japan, Singapore are a few countries which have one of the hardest education systems.
What is the toughest math exam in the world? ›
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
How you couldn't even understand the questions, let alone answer them? The Maths Challenge is only the first round of the IMO: an annual six-problem exam introduced in 1959.
- Physics 1. As one of the hardest high school classes, this course includes not only algebra but also scientific inquiry and physics. ...
- Environmental Science. ...
- Chemistry. ...
- U.S. Government and Politics. ...
- U.S. History. ...
- Human Geography. ...
- European History. ...
- Statistics.
- Chartered Accountancy.
- Astrophysics.
- Quantum Mechanics.
- Law.
- Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
- Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
- Nursing.
- Dentistry, Medicine.
The MCAT exam is 7 hours and 30 minutes, this is the total seating time. For almost every student, the MCAT exam will be the longest test they have ever taken.
Why all exams are of 3 hours? ›The reason for this is to set a time frame for doing things. Time management is a very important aspect but at times presence of mind is very important.
How long is Gaokao? ›The exams last about nine hours over a period of two or three days, depending on the province in which it is held.
Which is the world's toughest medical exam? ›USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is said to be a very tough test. No wonder it is considered one of the top 20 toughest exams in world. This one among the top 20 toughest exams in world is sponsored by National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).
How can I pass easy exam? ›- Give yourself enough time to study. via GIPHY. ...
- Organize your study space. via GIPHY. ...
- Use flow charts and diagrams. via GIPHY. ...
- Practice on old exams. via GIPHY. ...
- Explain your answers to others. via GIPHY. ...
- Organize study groups with friends. via GIPHY. ...
- Take regular breaks. via GIPHY. ...
- Snack on brain food.
The tests that US universities and colleges most commonly accept are: Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Is it easier to study in USA? ›The US is still the best choice for international students and this is largely because of the prestige of having a US-certified university degree. Higher study programs in the US are known for their exceptional standard of quality in terms of learning experiences, intellectual rigor, and innovative practices.
Can I study in USA without any exam? ›
If you have attended and completed any kind of academic studies for at least one year in the USA, you can be accepted at a university to study in USA without IELTS. There are some Intensive English Learning Programs that some Universities offer. Abbreviated as IELP, they work as substitutes for IELTS and TOEFL tests.
What is the 1 highest paying job? ›Rank | Occupation | 2021 Median Wages |
---|---|---|
Employment column two Annual | ||
1 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $208,000+ |
1 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $208,000+ |
1 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $208,000+ |
- Anesthesiologist: $208,000.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $208,000.
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist: $208,000.
- Surgeon: $208,000.
- Orthodontist: $208,000.
- Physician: $208,000.
- Psychiatrist: $208,000.
- Data Analysts and Scientists. The role of data analysts and scientists is picking up steam currently. ...
- AI and Machine Learning Specialists. ...
- Process Automation Specialists. ...
- Information Security Analysts. ...
- Software and Applications Developers.
- Data Science.
- Cloud Computing.
- Digital Marketing.
- Machine Learning.
- Artificial Intelligence.
- Augmented Reality.
- Software Development.
- Cyber Security.
OCCUPATION | GROWTH RATE, 2021-31 | 2021 MEDIAN PAY |
---|---|---|
Nurse practitioners | 46% | $120,680 per year |
Wind turbine service technicians | 44% | $56,260 per year |
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers | 41% | $24,440 per year |
Motion picture projectionists | 40% | $29,350 per year |
- Computer Engineering.
- Actuarial Science.
- Computer Science.
- Management.
- Electronics Engineering.
- Healthcare Administration.
- Health Informatics.
- Construction Management.
- Physics. ...
- Political science. ...
- Business administration. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Meteorology. ...
- General engineering. ...
- Materials science. ...
- Chemical engineering.
Rank | Declared degree | Unemployment rate |
---|---|---|
1 | Architectural Engineering | 1.3% |
2 | Construction Services | 1.0% |
3 | Computer Engineering | 2.3% |
4 | Aerospace Engineering | 1.9% |
- Civil Services Exam (CSE)
- GATE.
- GRE.
- Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
- ICAI CA Exams.
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
- Mensa International.
- CFA.
Which country has the hardest exams? ›
✅ Gaokao (China)
Each year, millions of students in China take the gaokao, taken by students in their third and final year of high school typically from June 7 to June 8 or 9. It's China's version of the American SAT and British A-level tests, and is known as one of the hardest exams in the world.
Gaokao. Gaokao is a college entrance exam in China and is infamous as one of the top 10 toughest exams in the world. Due to its difficulty level, some European and American universities have also started to accept Gaokao scores.
Which is the toughest study in the world? ›Engineering is one of the toughest courses in the world that can be pursued by students of the science stream.
Which country has no exam in the world? ›The country is none other than Finland, the happiest country in the world. In Finland, there are no mandated standardized tests. There are no rankings, no comparisons, no competitions, apart from one exam at the end of students' senior year in high school.
Which country school has no exams? ›There are no mandated standardized tests in Finland, apart from one exam at the end of students' senior year in high school. There are no rankings, no comparisons or competition between students, schools or regions. Finland's schools are publicly funded.
What are the 10 hardest questions in the world? ›- Does true love exist? This is one of the most controversial and frequently asked life questions. ...
- Is there life after death? ...
- Should abortion be allowed? ...
- What is the purpose of life? ...
- Why is there hatred in the world? ...
- Does he or she love me?
It was introduced 40 years back in the United Kingdom and as of today, only 200 candidates are said to have passed it.
What is China's hardest exam? ›The National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), commonly known as the gaokao (高考; gāokǎo; 'Higher Education Exam'), is a standardized college entrance exam held annually in mainland China.
What is the hardest college class? ›It shouldn't surprise you that organic chemistry takes the No. 1 spot as the hardest college course. This course is often referred to as the “pre-med killer” because it actually has caused many pre-med majors to switch their major.
Which is the easiest study in the world? ›- Psychology.
- Criminal Justice.
- English.
- Education.
- Religious Studies.
- Social Work.
- Sociology.
- Communications.
What is the hardest major in college? ›
- Chemistry.
- Environmental Economics and Policy.
- Environmental Earth Science.
- American Studies.
- Nuclear Engineering.
- Energy Engineering.
- Astrophysics.
- Applied Mathematics.