Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World in 2024

The toughest exams in the world are notorious for their intricacy and are meant to evaluate an individual's capacity for critical thought, deep comprehension, and problem-solving. 

Some individuals may manage without taking these tests at all, while others must rise to the occasion since it may be their one and only chance to obtain the credentials required for their line of work.

Even though taking the most difficult tests in the world might be demanding and stressful, the benefits frequently exceed the drawbacks. Passing these tests can provide you access to esteemed degree programs, which can lead to fantastic job prospects. 

For instance, in order for medical graduates to practice medicine in the US, they must pass the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). These credentials set you apart from the competition and demonstrate your expertise and abilities.

Therefore, even though these tests are stressful, if you pass, the possibility of job development and financial success makes them worthwhile. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the top 10 toughest exams in the world.

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World at a Glance 

1. Gaokao Exam (China)

Extremely high pressure with extensive memorization required, Under the Ministry of Education's guidance, provincial governments administer the Gaokao exam examination, which is necessary for undergraduate entrance to all of the nation's higher education institutions.

• Immense competition: Competition is fierce because China must manage the enormous burden of administering tests to every student in the country, given its size. It is most toughest exam in the world. 
• Long Duration: Besides the need for extensive memorization, the exam lasts for more than nine exhausting hours and assesses students' stamina, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities.
• Zero Tolerance for Leaks: Strict security measures are in place to preserve the integrity of the exam. Examinees were sometimes prevented from taking their tests because of worries about paper leakage.

2. IIT-JEE (India)

Intense competition with a low pass rate, The Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination, or IIT JEE for short, is a demanding and fiercely competitive test that provides admission to some of the best engineering colleges in India, known as the IITs. This test is among the hardest in the world since it tests students' knowledge of physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

• Academic Rigor: IIT JEE is well known for emphasizing sophisticated ideas, critical analysis, and problem-solving abilities. It's a real assessment of one's analytical prowess and topic understanding.
• The Quest for excellence: With a just 1% passing percentage, individuals who make it through have a resolute dedication to greatness.
• Mental toughness: Aspirants to the IIT JEE show unmatched tenacity and push the limits of their potential.

3. UPSC/CSE (India)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an Indian constitutional authority that appoints officers to several services under the Government of India and directly recruits officers through examinations to the All India Services and the Central Civil Services.

• Longer Duration: The UPSC test consists of three stages: preliminary, main, and interview. It is a thorough process. The exam is more difficult because of its longer duration. It is one of the top toughest exams in the world.
• Poor Success Rate: The UPSC test is infamous for having a poor success rate. The UPSC test is without a doubt one of the most difficult competitive exams in India, with a lengthy curriculum, many stages of selection, and a low success rate.  

4. Mensa IQ Test (Worldwide)

The Mensa Admission Test is administered to candidates for membership in Mensa. The Mensa IQ exam assesses a number of cognitive skills, such as verbal comprehension, spatial awareness, and logical thinking.

• High benchmark: The test has evolved into an international benchmark for determining a person's IQ. It is a test of knowledge and problem-solving skills that takes one to two hours to complete and thoroughly evaluates a person's cognitive ability. 
• Percentile: In case you are unprepared, the test may provide a significant challenge. You must properly answer enough questions to place in the top 2% of the general population in order to be admitted to Mensa.
• Tough questions: Typically, the examination begins with a few simpler questions and gets harder as you go. It takes about one and a half hours to complete the test. Even though it might seem overwhelming, you can do better if you take your time answering each question and verifying your responses. 

5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) (Worldwide)

A standardized test called the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is required for admission to several graduate programs in the US, Canada, and a few other nations. Educational Testing Service is the owner and administrator of the GRE (ETS).

• Time consuming: The lengthy prompts on the most recent examinations mean that answering each one will take extra time. The questions require careful reading of each line, which must then be translated into an equation to determine the final answer. The lengthy and unpleasant procedure makes it challenging for pupils to complete each question in under two minutes.
• Shorter time: The test-taker must thus manage the possibility of needing to complete the question in a much shorter amount of time due to the growing level of difficulty and textual length of each question. Effective time management is essential, and it has been harder in recent years to stay within the allotted time for each portion. It is one of the toughest competitive exams in the world. 

6. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) (Worldwide)

The three-part CFA Program exam covers the principles of asset valuation, portfolio management, wealth planning, and investing instruments. Following program completion, application, and approval by the CFA Institute, holders of CFA charters are granted the authority to use the CFA designation.

• Average pass rate: The aggregate pass rate for all three levels of the CFA is barely 45% on average. It always ranks among the list of toughest exams in the world. This indicates that fewer than half of applicants who take the CFA test complete all three program levels and receive the credential of Chartered Financial Analyst. Long study sessions and dedication are needed to pass the CFA test. 
• Level-wise difficulty: Compared to the other two CFA test levels, level 1 often has the lowest pass rate. Most people agree that the CFA Level 2 test is the hardest in the whole curriculum. To proceed to Level 3 of the CFA test, candidates must pass Levels 1 and 2. Candidates taking the CFA test at Level 3 must be proficient in time management. Level 3 pass rates are 48% on average.

7. California Bar Exam (USA)

The last exam needed to become a lawyer is the bar exam. You must pass the test in order to practice law in California. There are two examinations of the California Bar Exam every year.

• Tough evaluation: The grades for essays and performance tests range from 0 to 100. You must determine the problem in the question and attempt to apply the law to it in order to receive a 40. A zero will be assigned to the question if those are not included. 
• Low passing score: It's a challenging test to pass, and in 2017 the deans of 20 state-wide law schools requested a reduction in the passing mark. In the end, it was from 1440 to 1390. 
• Low passing rate: The State Bar of California reports that there was an 18% drop in the bar test passing rate between 2008 and 2016.

8. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) (India)

The GATE is an entrance exam for postgraduate programs that is administered in India. Its main purpose is to assess candidates' thorough comprehension of undergraduate engineering and science courses. It is the toughest engineering exam in the world.

• Negative marking: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with incorrect answers will receive a negative grade. One-third of the score will be subtracted for each incorrect response on 1-mark multiple-choice questions, and two-thirds of the score will be subtracted for 2-mark MCQs. On the other hand, for both Numerical Answer Type (NAT) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), there will be no penalty for erroneous answers.
• Low pass rate: Last year, 6.70 lakh students enrolled for the GATE, and 5.17 lakh of them took the test. Last year, the pass rate was about 18%.

9. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (Oxford, UK)

All Souls College selects Examination Fellows, previously Prize Fellows, each autumn. Typically, the College chooses two nominees from a pool of at least 150. The Fellowships are not renewable after their seven-year term. The majority of Examination Fellows pursue careers in academia. 

• Tricky questions: The world's hardest admission exam has been named for the fellowship at All Soul's College, University of Oxford. This is due to the fact that it has extremely abstract questions and is tough to revise for. The fact that there are no right or incorrect answers to the test is another aspect that contributes to its difficulty.

10. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (Worldwide) 

The structure and content of the Master Sommelier Diploma test are comparable to those of the Advanced Sommelier Examination. It is divided into three sections: an oral theoretical test (which is not written), a deductive tasting of six wines, and a practical wine service examination.

• Long duration: The last portion of the lengthy test consists of a blind wine tasting in which applicants must determine the vintage and growing area of the wine.
• Low pass rate: Candidates for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination may apply if they pass the Advanced Sommelier Examination, which is typically passed by 25% of students. About 10% of candidates pass the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination-Theory.

List of the Most Competitive Exams in the World 

1. Gaokao Exam (China)

Overview: 

The Gaokao test has a point system ranging from 750 to 950. The sum of the points from each topic is used to determine the final score. Each of the two primary subjects—math and Chinese—carries 150 points. Each of the other two disciplines, English and science, is worth 100 points. It spans over 9 hours.

Difficulty Level:

The Gaokao exam is known for being the most difficult exam in the world. It is mandatory for admission to all of the higher educational institutes in China. 

Application Fee:

In 2023, the Gaokao application cost was ¥150. 

Challenges: 

The test takes around nine hours to complete. It is divided into two or three days as a result. It has 750 total points. It takes intense memorization and the exam is highly competitive. 

No. of Exam Takers: 

The Ministry of Education reports that 13.42 million applicants have registered for the high-stakes examinations, indicating that this year's multi-subject gaokao series is expected to have a record number of pupils taking the test.

Passing Rate: 

Fewer than 0.25% of applicants receive the necessary score to be admitted to some of the most prestigious universities in China.

Preparation Tips: 

• Students usually need 13-15 hours of preparation. 
• To become comfortable with the structure, students may practice sample papers, previous exam questions, and simulated examinations.

2. IIT-JEE (India)

Overview: 

Every subject in paper 1 has two sections: multiple-choice questions (MCQs) (Section A), and numerical (Section B). Every subject has 20 questions in Section A, all of which are required. Ten questions are posed to each in Section B. Candidates are free to choose any five questions to respond to. The duration is 3 hours. Paper 2 is composed of 2 parts- B.Arch and B.Plan. The duration is 3 hours. 

Difficulty Level:

Many people rank the JEE Advanced Exam as one of the hardest tests in the world.

Exam Mode: 

The mode of the IIT-JEE exam is both online. Paper 1 is online, paper 2A is offline and online, and paper 2B is online. 

Application Fee:

The cost is INR 1000 for General/EWS/OBC-NCL male applicants and INR 800 for female candidates. To appear for JEE Main 2024, candidates who identify as transgender, PwD, SC, or ST must pay INR 500.

Challenges: 

IIT-JEE exam takers face challenges including extensive curriculum, time management, tricky questions, stress, fierce competition, regular revision, and adapting to the CBT format. 

No. of Exam Takers: 

There are 99086 registered candidates for the second session of JEE Main 2024. Registration for the April 2024 JEE Main session is 11,79,569. 

Passing Rate:

Although the exam board does not disclose an official success percentage, estimations place it between 25 and 30 percent. 

Preparation Tips: 

Effective study strategies, mental health management.

• Establish a study regimen
• Begin early
• Concentrate on conceptual comprehension, 
• Practice past years' papers, take practice exams, and revise often.

3. UPSC/CSE (India)

Overview: 

Two papers make up the Prelims portion of the IAS exam pattern 2024: General Studies, or Paper 1, and CSAT, or Paper 2. Nine papers total—four GS papers, one essay question, two language papers, and two optional subjects—make up the UPSC Mains exam structure. The third and last step is the interview.

Difficulty Level:

Many people rank the UPSC Exam as one of the hardest civil services in the world.

Exam Mode: 

The exam mode for all the three rounds of the UPSC examination is offline. 

Application Fee:

For applicants in the general category, the application cost for the UPSC examinations is 100 INR. The charge is 0 INR for those who fall under the ST, SC, PwD, or female categories, meaning they are not required to pay it.

Challenges: 

The challenges of taking the UPSC exam include writing practices, time management, revision strategy, adaptability to changes, interview, and the overall 6 attempts. 

No. of Exam Takers: 

Every year, between 900,000 and 1,000,000 individuals apply on average, with about 550,000 of them appearing for the preliminary test.

Passing Rate:

The likelihood of a candidate becoming a Civil Services officer, or the UPSC pass percentage, is typically 0.2%.

Preparation Tips: 

Effective study strategies, mental health management.

• Current affairs materials and newspaper
• Time management
• Revision
• Previous question papers
• Mock tests and mock interviews

4. Mensa IQ Test (Worldwide)

Overview: 

The Mensa IQ test has 35 multiple-choice visual pattern questions that are easy to start and get harder as you go, all to be finished in 25 minutes. An IQ score can vary from 85 to 145, with 100 being the average. Test results are calculated by comparing the proportion of right answers to population norms.

Difficulty Level:

The Mensa IQ test gets progressively difficult. One must note that it is a very tough exam. 

Exam Mode:

The only mode of the Mensa test is offline. Take note that Mensa admissions cannot be obtained through online testing.

Application Fee:

The Mensa Supervised Intelligence test session is priced at 750.00 rupees when administered by Mensa India approved professionals at a prearranged, publicized time and location.

Challenges: 

IQ tests have been criticized for frequently classifying some pupils as slow learners based on their test scores. Motivation, emotion, attitudes, and other comparable elements that may have a significant impact on an individual's achievement in school and in life are not measured by IQ testing.

Passing Rate:

Mensa will accept applicants who have scored at or above the 98th percentile on a common intelligence test.

Preparation Tips: 

Effective study strategies, mental health management.

• Getting familiarized with the pattern
• Know the types of question
• Practice everyday
• Start early

5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) (Worldwide)

Overview: 

Three primary portions comprise the new GRE format: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. The verbal and quantitative portions are scored on a scale of 130 to 170, with increments of 1 point. The scoring scheme is unchanged from the previous pattern.

Difficulty Level:

The GRE is renowned for its difficulty. You need to do well in writing, math, and vocabulary. 

Exam Mode:

The GRE can be taken online or at a testing facility. The GRE exam itself is the same in either case.

Application Fee:

The cost of the GRE exam is INR 14,500 for the GRE Subject Test and INR 22,500 for the General Test. 

Challenges: 

Some people could find the test easy to handle, while others would find it difficult. Nonetheless, it is often regarded as a challenging test that assesses your capacity for critical thought and problem-solving—two skills crucial for success in graduate-level coursework.

No. of Exam Takers:

According to data from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), India had the most number of GRE test takers during the 2022–2023 testing session (1,13,304), followed by the US (97,676) and China (57,769).

Passing Rate:

There is no passing score on the GRE. 75th percentile or higher—157+ in verbal reasoning and 165+ in quantitative reasoning—is generally regarded as good for the majority of programs. 

Preparation Tips:

• Mark and review
• Familiarize with the exam pattern and type of questions
• Learn from your errors
• Take time-bound mock tests

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) (Worldwide)

Overview: 

Discuss the structure, exam pattern, subjects, and duration. The multiple-choice questions at the CFA level are broken up into two sessions, with an optional break in between.

1. Level 1- CFA 180 multiple-choice questions make up the Level 1 test, which is divided into two sessions of 135 minutes each with an optional break in between.
2. Level 2- The Level 2 test is divided into two sessions, each lasting two hours and twelve minutes, and consists of 22 sets of questions with 88 related multiple-choice questions.
3. Level 3- There are six item sets and five essay sets or five item sets and six essay sets in Level 3. 

Difficulty Level:

One of the most difficult courses in the area of investment management and financial markets is CFA. 

Exam Mode:

The CFA Institute now provides two options for taking the exam: Online Proctored Testing (OPT) or In-Person Site Testing (IST) at a testing facility.

Application Fee:

A one-time registration fee of USD 350 is required to register for the Level I test and the CFA Program.

Challenges:

The challenges of CFA Level 1 are equivalent to a higher education diploma; those of CFA Level 2 are equivalent to a bachelor's degree; and those of CFA Level 3 are equivalent to a master's degree.

No. of Exam Takers: 

Provide data on the number of students taking the exam..

CFA Institute reports that 16,959 applicants from all around the world took the Level I CFA Program exam in February 2023.

Passing Rate:

As of February 2024, 44% of candidates passed the CFA exam at Level 1, 44% at Level 2, 44% in November 2023, and 49% at Level 3.

Preparation Tips: 

Effective study strategies, mental health management.

• Create a study plan
• Take prep exams and courses
• Start early

California Bar Exam (USA)

Overview: 

The test is administered over two days and is divided into the following sections: Five essay questions in one hour. A performance test lasting 90 minutes. There are usually 200 multiple-choice questions on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).

Difficulty Level:

Most people agree that the California bar test is the most challenging of the state bar examinations in the United States. 

Exam Mode:

Please take note that there will be an in-person California Bar Examination in July 2024.

Application Fee:

The non-attorney application cost for the bar has gone up from $677 to $850. The charge for lawyers has gone up from $983 to $1,500. 

No. of Exam Takers:

3,944 people showed up for California's February 2024 General Bar Exam, which is considerably higher than the two previous years.

Passing Rate:

The passing percentage for the California bar exam is 34%.

3,944 people showed up for California's February 2024 General Bar Exam, which is considerably higher than the two previous years.

Preparation Tips: 

• Study for at least 50-60 hours per week. 
• Take prep exams
• Start early
• Mock tests

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) (India)

Overview:

There are three types of questions: multiple choice (MCQ), multiple select (MSQ), and numerical answer type (NAT). Three hours will be allotted for the GATE test. The GATE test has a total score of 100. There will be 65 questions in the GATE test.

Difficulty Level:

GATE is one of the hardest tests, after UPSC and CAT, and is a popular choice among recent graduates in our nation.

Exam Mode: 

GATE, often called the computer-based Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is an online test.

Application Fee:

The GATE exam fees in 2024 are INR 1800 for students in the general category and INR 900 for those in the SC/ST and female categories.

Challenges:

Lack of preparedness is among the most frequent causes of failure. Bad performance might arise from underestimating the exam's complexity or from not spending enough time and energy studying. Lack of time management can also lead to failure. 

No. of Exam Takers:

Every year, it is seen that around 10 lakh students take the tests. Approximately 8.5 lakh people took the GATE exam in 2021.

Passing Rate:

7,11,542 of the 8,80,000 applicants that applied for GATE 2021 actually took the test. Only 17.82% of the pupils, meanwhile, were able to pass the test. 

Preparation Tips: 

• Getting familiarized with the pattern
• Memorization 
• Know the types of question
• Practice everyday
• Start early

All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (Oxford, UK)

Overview:

The written test that the college administers consists of four three-hour papers. Two of them are in the field of study you have selected, which might be philosophy, economics, politics, law, history, English literature, or classical studies. The questions on the other two "general" exams cover a broad variety of topics. 

Difficulty Level:

The All Souls College admission exam at Oxford University has been dubbed the toughest examination in the world since it is almost difficult to prepare for, involves abstract questions, and has no right or wrong answers. 

Challenges:

The All Souls College admission exam at Oxford University has been dubbed the toughest examination in the world since it is almost difficult to prepare for, involves abstract questions, and has no right or wrong answers. 

No. of Exam Takers:

Typically, the College chooses two nominees from a pool of at least 150.

Passing Rate:

Typically, the College chooses two nominees from a pool of at least 150.

Preparation Tips:

• Create a study plan
• Take prep exams and courses
• Start early

Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (Worldwide) 

Overview:

The Advanced Sommelier Examination is divided into three sections: a deductive tasting of six wines, a practical wine service examination, and an oral theory test (which is not written).

Difficulty Level:

The most difficult wine exam in the world is the Master Sommelier's Diploma. The last portion of the lengthy test consists of a blind wine tasting

Exam Mode: 

The exam mode for the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is offline. 

Application Fee:

The application fee for the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is $999. 

Challenges:

The tasting is said to be the most difficult part as applicants must accurately identify the year, region, and vintage of six wines—three white and three red—that are presented blindfold, as well as provide a taste analysis and description in a quarter of an hour.

Passing Rate:

Candidates for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination may apply if they pass the Advanced Sommelier Examination, which is typically passed by 25% of students. About 10% of candidates pass the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination-Theory.

Preparation Tips:

• Taste for at least 40–45 weeks out of the year, once or twice a week. 
• Those pursuing similar goals should form a tasting group.

Honorable Mentions: World’s Most Difficult Exams 

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) 

The Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners are the sponsors of the three-step United States Medical Licensing Examination, which is required to get a medical license in the country.

LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law, UK)

The National Admission Test for Law is the full form of the LNAT. The test helps students decide whether or not they are suited for a legal career. It also helps colleges identify whether or not a student will do well in law school.

HSC (Higher School Certificate, Australia)

In New South Wales, the Higher School Certificate (HSC) is the top diploma in secondary school. Students who have successfully finished Years 11 and 12 of secondary school are eligible to get it. 

JEE Main (India)

An Indian computer-based test known as the Joint Entrance Examination - Main is used to determine eligibility for a variety of technical undergraduate programs in engineering, architecture, and planning offered by Indian colleges.

Bar Exam (Japan)

One of the most challenging tests in the world is the Japanese Bar Exam. Even with the 2006 structural change, only around 20% of law school graduates pass the bar, despite increasing pass rates. 

FRM (Financial Risk Manager)

Mastery of the curriculum is time-consuming, and the FRM test is heavily quantitative. Of those who take the FRM Part II test, just half pass it. More individuals fail the FRM Part I exam than pass it. Consequently, just 25% of test takers pass both sections of the exam.

Chartered Accountant (CA, India)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) administers the CA examinations, which are among the hardest in the nation. It is the toughest finance exam in the world. After passing the three levels (CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final), one can become a member of ICAI and earn the esteemed title of Chartered Accountant (CA).

SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test, USA)

Students in the third through eleventh grades take the standardized test known as the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test). The exam assesses reading, writing, verbal, and quantitative (math) skills to make sure kids have the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in a college readiness program.

AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

The National Law University of Delhi (NLU Delhi) administers the esteemed All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) each year. It acts as a doorway for admission to the PhD, LLM, and undergraduate and graduate legal programs that NLU Delhi offers.

Olympiads (International Science Olympiads)

A series of yearly international contests in the natural sciences, social sciences, and formal sciences are known as the International Science Olympiads. Students in grades 1 through 10 can enroll.

How Can One Prepare Effectively for These Toughest Exams

The world's most difficult tests demand a calculated approach and steadfast dedication to prepare for. Understand the curriculum, important themes, and test patterns beforehand. Make a thorough study plan with enough time allotted for each subject. To obtain a thorough knowledge, use a variety of materials including textbooks, online courses, previous test papers, and practice examinations. 

Review and evaluate yourself frequently to find and fix any weak points. Include efficient study strategies including problem-solving exercises, spaced repetition, and active recall. Make mental and physical well-being a priority by getting enough sleep, exercising frequently, and using stress reduction strategies to keep your performance at its best both before and during the test.

Conclusion

The exams we discussed above are highly demanding. While each has its unique requirements, they share common traits and challenges like time constraints, vast curriculum, competition, and rigorous standards. 

Candidates taking exams must start early and dedicate 10-12 hours to preparation, but they must also take care of their mental and physical health by getting enough sleep, and power naps. They must eat healthy and exercise daily to remain fit and healthy during exams. These difficult tests are a prerequisite for many coveted jobs and promotions, opening doors to more senior positions and responsibilities.