Examinations are pivotal in a student’s journey. Whether in high school, pursuing graduation, or contemplating post-graduate studies, exams are ubiquitous. Additionally, numerous government and private sector positions entail multi-round selection processes, comprising written tests, interviews, or both. Therefore, whether one is a student or a graduate seeking employment, examinations are inevitable.
This article delves into the world’s most toughest exams. Although comparing the difficulty of exams can be subjective due to their distinct purposes, we’ll focus solely on the most formidable assessments globally.
List of Top 10 Most Difficult Exams:
- Gaokao Exam (China)
- IIT JEE Advanced (India)
- Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC (India)
- Mensa International (England)
- GRE (Global)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst, USA & Canada)
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
- GATE Exam (India)
- USMLE Exam (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
- California Bar Exam (United States)
Gaokao Exam (China):
- Duration: Approximately 9 hours over two to three days.
- Candidates: Around 12 million students.
- Significance: The Gaokao is essential for undergraduate admissions in China. Less than 0.25% of students achieve the qualifying score for elite colleges.
IIT JEE Exam (India):
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Preparation Time: Two intense years.
- Pass Rate: Only 1% of candidates crack this exam.
- Candidates: Over 1 million aspirants.
UPSC Exam (India):
- Duration: 2-3 hours.
- Preparation: Requires 12 months of advanced study.
- Success Rate: A mere 0.1% to 0.3% qualify.
- Candidates: Approximately 500,000.
Mensa International (England)
- Duration: 1-2 hours.
- Criteria: Mensa doesn’t use IQ scores but assesses cognitive abilities.
- Candidates: Around 134,000.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination, USA & Canada)
- Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes.
- Preparation Time: Typically 4-12 weeks.
- Score: Any score above the 50th percentile is commendable.
- Candidates: Approximately 700,000 yearly.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst, USA & Canada)
- Duration: 4.5 hours.
- Preparation: Requires 300 hours.
- Pass Rate: About 43%.
- Charterholders: Around 175,000.
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert):
- Duration: Around 120 minutes.
- Preparation: 9-15 months.
- Pass Rate: Approximately 26%.
- Candidates: 8,000 yearly.
GATE Exam (India)
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Preparation: Typically 6 months.
- Pass Rate: 18%.
- Candidates: Roughly 700,000.
USMLE Exam (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
- Duration: 8 hours.
- Preparation: 6-12 months.
- Pass Rate: 77%.
- Candidates: About 19,210.
California Bar Exam (United States)
- Duration: 4 hours.
- Preparation: Intensive study over 8-10 weeks (40 hours per week).
- Pass Rate: Approximately 52.4%.
- Candidates: Around 7,164.
Remember, these exams test not only knowledge but also mental resilience. Whether you’re aiming for academic excellence or professional growth, these challenges shape the brightest minds worldwide! 🌟📚