Top 20 Toughest Exams in the World

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Top 20 Toughest Exams in the World
Top 20 Toughest Exams in the World

Examinations are one of the worst nightmares for students; especially the top 20 toughest exams in the World. As students go higher in education, the exam becomes more difficult to pass, especially for students who choose to study the most difficult courses in the World.

Most students believe that examinations are not necessary, especially the exams they find difficult. This belief is very wrong.

Examinations have a lot of benefits that cannot be overlooked. It is a way to test students’ abilities and areas where they need to improve. Also, examinations help create healthy competition among students.

India has the highest number of most difficult examinations in the World. 7 out of the top 20 toughest examinations in the world are conducted in India.

Even though India has a lot of tough exams, South Korea is widely considered the country with the most difficult education system.

South Korea Education System is very stressful and authoritative – Teachers hardly interact with the students, and students are expected to learn everything based on the lectures. Also, admission to college is brutally competitive.

Do you wish to know the most difficult exams in the World? We have ranked the top 20 toughest examinations in the World.

How to Pass A Tough Exam

No matter the course you study, taking examinations is mandatory.

You may find some examinations more difficult to pass.

However, there are ways to pass the most difficult exams in the World. That’s why we decided to share with you tips on how to pass a tough exam.

1. Create a Study Schedule

Create this schedule based on the date of the exam. Also, consider the number of topics to be covered before you create your study schedule.

Don’t wait till a week or two before you create a schedule, create it as early as possible.

2. Make sure your study environment is comfortable

Get a table and chair, if you don’t have one. Reading on the bed is a NO! You can easily sleep off while studying.

Arrange the chair and table in a bright place or fix artificial light. You will need enough light to read.

Make sure all your studying materials are on the table, so you don’t keep going back and forth to get them.

Also, make sure your study environment is noise-free. Avoid any form of distraction.

3. Develop Good Study Habits

Firstly, you will need to STOP CRAMMING. This might have worked for you in the past but it is a bad studying habit. You can easily forget all you have crammed in the Exam hall, we are sure you don’t want this right.

Instead, try the visual method. It is a proven fact that it is easy to remember visual things. Explain your notes in diagrams or charts.

You can also use acronyms. Turn that definition or law you easily forget into acronyms. You can never forget the meaning of ROYGBIV right (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet).

4. Teach Others

If you find it difficult to memorize, consider explaining your notes or textbooks to your friends or family. This may help improve your memorization skills.

5. Study with your friends

Studying alone can be so boring. This is not the case when you learn with your friends. You will share ideas, motivate each other, and solve difficult questions together.

6. Get a Tutor

When it comes to studying for the top 20 toughest examinations, you may need prep experts. There are several prep courses online for different exams, check and buy the one that suits your needs.

However, if you want face-to-face tutoring, then you should get a physical tutor.

7. Take Practice Tests

Take practice exams consistently, like at the end of each week or every two weeks. This will help identify areas that need improvement.

You can also take a mock test if the exam you are preparing for has one. This will let you know what to expect in the exam.

8. Take Regular Breaks

Take a rest, it is very important. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

Don’t try to read throughout the day, always take a break. Leave your study space, take a walk to stretch your body, eat healthy foods, and drink a lot of water.

9. Take your time in the exam room

We are aware that each exam has a duration. But don’t rush to pick or write your answers. Don’t waste time on hard questions, move to the next and come back to it later.

Also, if there is still time left after answering all questions, go back to confirm your answers before you submit.

Top 20 Toughest Exams in the World

Below is a list of the top 20 toughest examinations to pass in the world:

1. Master Sommelier Diploma Examination

Master Sommelier Diploma Examination is widely considered the most difficult examination in the World. Ever since its creation in 1989, less than 300 candidates have earned the title ‘Master Sommelier’.

Only students who have passed the advanced sommelier exam (on the average above 24% – 30% ) are eligible to apply for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination.

Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of 3 parts:

  • Theory Exam: an oral exam that lasts for 50 minutes.
  • Practical Wine Service Examination
  • Practical Tasting – scored on the candidates’ verbal abilities to clearly and accurately describes six different wines within 25 minutes. Candidates must identify, where appropriate, grape varieties, country of origin, district and appellation of origin, and vintages of the wines tasted.

Candidates must first pass the Theory part of the Master’s Sommelier Diploma Exam and then have three consecutive years to pass the remaining two parts of the exam. The pass rate for the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (Theory) is approximately 10%.

If all three exams are not passed during a period of three years, the entire exam must be retaken. The minimum passing score for each of the three sections is 75%.

2. Mensa

Mensa is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the World, founded in England in 1940 by a barrister named Roland Berril, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist, and lawyer.

Membership in Mensa is open to people who have achieved a score in the top 2 percentile of an approved IQ test. Two of the most popular IQ tests are ‘Stanford-Binet’ and ‘Catell’.

Currently, Mensa has around 145,000 members of all ages in around 90 countries worldwide.

3. Gaokao

Gaokao is also known as the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE). It is a standardized college entrance exam held each year.

Gaokao is required for undergraduate admission by most of the higher education institutions in China. It is usually attempted by students in their final year of senior high school. Students in other classes can also take the exam. A student’s Gaokao score determines whether or not they can go to college.

Questions are based on Chinese Language and Literature, mathematics, a foreign language, and one or more subjects depending on the student’s preferred major in College. For example, Social studies, Politics, Physics, History, Biology, or Chemistry.

4. Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a paper-based exam administered by Union Public Service Commission, India’s premier central recruitment agency.

The CSE is used to recruit candidates for various posts in civil services of India. This exam can be attempted by any graduate.

UPSC’s Civil Services Examination (CSE) is made up of three stages:

  • Preliminary Exam: multiple choice objective exam, comprises two compulsory papers of 200 marks each. Each paper lasts for 2 hours.
  • The Main Exam is a written examination, consists of nine papers, but only 7 papers will be counted for the final merit ranking. Each paper lasts for 3 hours.
  • Interview: The candidate will be interviewed by a board, based on matters of general interest.

A candidate’s final rank depends on the mark scored in the main exam and interview. The marks scored in the preliminary will not be counted for final ranking, but just for qualification for the main exam.

In 2020, about 10,40,060 candidates applied, only 4,82,770 appeared for the exam and only 0.157% of the test takers passed the preliminary.

5. Joint Entrance Examination  – Advanced (JEE Advanced)

Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE Advanced) is a computer-based standardized examination administered by one of the seven zonal Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the Joint Admission Board.

JEE Advanced lasts for 3 hours for each paper; a total of 6 hours. Only qualified candidates of the JEE-Main exam can attempt this exam. Also, it can only be attempted twice in two consecutive years.

JEE Advanced is used by the 23 IITs and other Indian institutions for admission to undergraduate engineering, science, and architecture courses.

The exam consists of 3 sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Also, the exam is delivered in Hindi and English.

In 2021, 29.1% out of 41,862 test-takers passed the exam.

6. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is a technical certification offered by Cisco Systems. The certification was created to help the IT industry hire qualified network experts. It is also widely recognized as the industry’s most prestigious networking credential.

The CCIE exam has been considered one of the most difficult exams in the IT industry. CCIE exam has two parts:

  • A written exam that lasts for 120 minutes, consists of 90 to 110 multiple-choice questions.
  • And a Lab exam that lasts for 8 hours.

Candidates who do not pass the lab exam must reattempt within 12 months, for their written exam to remain valid. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you will have to retake the written exam.

The written exam and lab exam must be passed before you can get a certification. Certification is valid for three years only, after then you must go through a recertification process. The rectification process includes completing continuing education activities, taking an exam, or a combination of both.

7. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is a standardized examination administered by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

It is used by Indian institutions for admission into graduate engineering programs and recruitment for entry-level engineering jobs.

GATE primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science.

The exam lasts for 3 hours and the scores are valid for 3 years. It is offered once a year.

In 2021, 17.82% out of 7,11,542 test-takers passed the exam.

8. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is administered by Oxford University All Souls College. The College usually elects two from a field of one hundred or more candidates each year.

All Souls College set a written examination, consisting of four papers of three hours each. Then, four to six finalists are invited to a viva voce or oral examination.

Fellows are entitled to scholarship allowance, a single accommodation in the College, and various other benefits.

The College also pays the University fees of Fellows who are studying degrees at Oxford.

All Souls Prize Fellowship lasts for seven years and cannot be renewed.

9. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program is a postgraduate professional certification offered internationally by the American-based CFA Institute.

To earn the certification, you must pass a three-part exam called the CFA exam. This exam is usually attempted by those with a background in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business.

CFA exam is made up of three levels:

  • The Level I Exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions, split between two 135-minute sessions. There is an optional break between sessions.
  • The Level II Exam consists of 22 item sets comprised of vignettes with 88 accompanying multiple-choice questions. This level lasts for 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes with an optional break in-between.
  • The Level III Exam consists of item sets comprised of vignettes with accompanying multiple-choice items and constructed response (essay) questions. This level lasts for 4 hours 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes, with an optional break in-between.

It takes a minimum of three years to complete the three levels, assuming a four-year experience requirement is already met.

10. Chartered Accountancy Examination (CA Exam)

The Chartered Accountancy (CA) exam is a three-level exam conducted in India by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

These levels are:

  • Common Proficiency Test (CPT)
  • IPCC
  • CA Final Exam

Candidates must pass these three levels of exams to receive a certification to practice as a Chartered Accountant in India.

11. California Bar Examination (CBE)

The California Bar Exam is organized by the State Bar of California, the largest State Bar in the US.

CBE consists of the General Bar Examination and the Attorney’s Examination.

  • The General Bar Examination consists of three parts: five essay questions, the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), and one Performance Test (PT).
  • The Attorney’s Exam consists of two essay questions and a performance test.

Multistate Bar Examination is an objective six-hour examination containing 250 questions, divided into two sessions, each session takes 3 hours.

Each essay question can be completed in 1 hour and Performance Test questions are completed in 90 minutes.

The California Bar Exam is offered twice a year. CBE lasts for a period of 2 days. The California Bar Exam is one of the primary requirements for licensing in California (to become a licensed attorney)

California’s “cut score” to pass the State Bar Examination is the second-highest in the US. Each year, a lot of applicants fail the exam with scores that would qualify them to practice law in the other US States.

In February 2021, 37.2% out of the total test-takers passed the exam.

12. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

USMLE is a medical licensure exam in the US, owned by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

The United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) is a three-step exam:

  • Step 1 is a one-day exam – divided into seven 60-minute blocks and administered in one 8-hour testing session. The number of questions per block on a given examination form may vary but will not exceed 40 (the total number of items in the overall exam form will not exceed 280).
  • Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) is also a one-day exam. It is divided into eight 60-minute blocks and administered in one 9-hour testing session. The number of questions per block in a given exam will vary but will not exceed 40 (the total number of items in the overall exam will not exceed 318.
  • Step 3 is a two-day exam. The first day of the Step 3 exam is referred to as Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) and the second day is referred to as Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM). There are approximately 7 hours in the test session on the first day and 9 hours in the test sessions on the second day.

The USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 are usually taken during medical school and then Step 3 is taken after graduation.

13. National Admissions Test for Law or LNAT

National Admissions Test for Law or LNAT is an admission aptitude test developed by a group of UK universities as a fair way to assess a candidate’s potential to study law at the undergraduate level.

The LNAT consists of two sections:

  • Section A is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam, consisting of 42 questions. This section lasts for 95 minutes. This section determines your LNAT score.
  • Section B is an essay exam, test takers have 40 minutes to answer one out of three essay questions. This section is not part of your LNAT score but your marks in this category are also used for the selection process.

Currently, only 12 universities use the LNAT; 9 out of the 12 universities are UK universities.

The LNAT is used by universities to select students for their undergraduate law courses. This exam doesn’t test your knowledge of law or any other subject. Instead, it helps universities assess your aptitude for the skills required to study law.

14. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a paper-based and computer-based standardized examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

GRE is used for admission to master’s and doctoral degree programs in various universities. It is valid for 5 years only.

The GRE General test consists of 3 main sections:

  • Analytical Writing
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning

The computer-based exam cannot be taken more than 5 times in a year and the paper-based exam can be taken as often as it is offered.

In addition to the general test, there are also GRE subject tests in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

15. Indian Engineering Service (IES)

Indian Engineering Service (IES) is a paper-based standardized test conducted annually by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The exam consists of three stages:

  • Stage I: is made up of General studies and engineering aptitude and Engineering discipline-specific papers. The first paper lasts for 2 hours and the second paper lasts for 3 hours.
  • Stage II: is made up of 2 Discipline-specific papers. Each paper lasts for 3 hours.
  • Stage III: the last stage is a personality test. The personality test is an interview that assesses candidates’ suitability for a career in public service by a board of unbiased observers.

Any Indian citizen with a minimum education requirement of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E or B.Tech) from a recognized university or the equivalent. Citizens of Nepal or subjects of Bhutan can also take the exam.

The IES is used to recruit officers for the services which cater to the technical functions of the Government of India.

16. Common Admission Test (CAT)

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test administered by the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs).

CAT is used by various business schools for admission to graduate management programs

The exam consists of 3 sections:

  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – this section has 34 questions.
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reading (DILR) – this section has 32 questions.
  • Quantitative Ability (QA) – this section has 34 questions.

CAT is offered once a year and is valid for 1 year. The exam is delivered in English.

17. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is conducted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

LSAT tests the skills necessary for success in the first year of law school – reading, comprehension, reasoning, and writing skills. It helps candidates determine their level of readiness for law school.

The LSAT consists of 2 Sections:

  • Multiple-choice LSAT Questions – the primary part of the LSAT is a four-section multiple-choice test that includes reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning questions.
  • LSAT Writing – The second part of the LSAT is a written essay, called LSAT Writing. Candidates can complete their LSAT Writing as early as eight days before the multiple-choice test.

The LSAT is used for admissions into undergraduate law programs of law schools in the US, Canada, and other countries. This exam can be attempted 7 times in a lifetime.

18. College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)

College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) also known as Suneung, is a standardized test administered by the Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE).

CSAT tests a candidate’s ability to study in college, with questions based on Korea’s high school curriculum. It is used for admission purposes by Korean Universities.

CSAT consists of five main sections:

  • National Language (Korean)
  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Subordinate Subjects (Social Studies, Sciences, and Vocational education)
  • Foreign Language/Chinese Characters

About 20% of students reapply for the exam because they couldn’t pass on the first attempt. CSAT is obviously one of the toughest exams in the World.

19. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a computer-based standardized exam administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges. It is used by medical schools in the US, Australia, Canada, Caribbean Islands, and a few other countries.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) consists of 4 sections:

  • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: In this section, candidates are given 95 minutes to answer 59 questions.
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills contains 53 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.
  • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems contains 59 questions to be completed in 95 minutes.
  • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: This section contains 59 questions and lasts for 95 minutes.

It takes about six hours and 15 minutes (without breaks) to complete the exam. MCAT scores are valid for 2 to 3 years only.

20. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is an Indian pre-medical entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical degree courses in Indian institutions.

NEET is a paper-based test administered by National Testing Agency. It tests candidates’ knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics.

There are a total of 180 questions. 45 questions each for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Zoology. Each correct response attracts 4 marks and each incorrect response gets -1 negative marking. The exam duration is 3 hours 20 minutes.

NEET is part of the toughest exam to pass because of negative marking. The questions are not easy either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mensa Only in America?

Mensa has members of all ages in over 90 countries around the world. However, US has the highest number of Mensans, followed by the UK and Germany.

What is the Age limit for UPSC IES?

A candidate for this examination must be between the ages of 21 years to 30 years.

Is LNAT required by Oxford University?

Yes, Oxford University uses LNAT to assess candidates' aptitude for the skills required to study law at an undergraduate level.

Are the LNAT and LSAT the same?

No, they are different exams used for the same purpose - admission into undergraduate law programs. LNAT is used mostly by UK universities WHILE LSAT is used by law schools in the US, Canada, Australia, and Caribbean Islands.

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Conclusion

These examinations can be challenging and have a low pass rate. Don’t be scared, everything is possible including passing the toughest examinations in the World.

Follow the tips shared in this article, Be determined, and you will pass these examinations with flying colors.

Passing these exams is not easy, you may need to take them more than once before you get your desired score.

We wish you success as you study for your examinations. If you have any questions, do well to ask via Comment Section.