Toughest Exams in the World: Exams are an important part of a student’s journey, but some are extremely difficult. These exams don’t just test knowledge; they also check how well you handle pressure, manage time, and think critically. Globally, the Gaokao (China), UPSC Civil Services Exam and IIT JEE Advanced (India), are considered some of the toughest exams. These competitive exams have rigorous selection processes that challenge even the brightest minds.
The world’s toughest exams are known for their high competition and low pass rate. Whether it’s for getting into a top university or proving your skills in a specific area, these exams are among the hardest to crack. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 toughest exams in the world, their purpose, eligibility, and more.
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World’s Toughest Exam List
The World’s Toughest Exam List includes grueling tests like the UPSC Civil Services Exam, Gaokao, IIT JEE Advanced, and CCIE, known for their low pass rates and high competition. With millions of test-takers each year, exams like Gaokao in China and IIT JEE Advanced in India consistently rank higher among the world’s toughest exam list. Many of the hardest exams in the world include strict time constraints, making them even more challenging.
Some exams are not just difficult but also require years of preparation, dedication, and problem-solving skills. Professional certifications like the CCIE and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) also make it to the World’s Toughest Exam List, requiring years of preparation and multiple attempts to pass. Below, we have listed the top 10 toughest exams in the world that are known for their difficulty and high competition:
| Rank | Exam Name | Country/Location | Duration | Purpose | Difficulty Level | Impact |
| 1 | Gaokao | China | 9 hours over 2–3 days | College entrance for high school students | Very High | Gateway to top colleges in China |
| 2 | UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) | India | 3 hours for prelims (2 MCQ papers: GS Paper-1 & CSAT) | Recruitment to administrative posts (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) | High | Entry into prestigious civil services careers |
| 3 | IIT JEE Advanced | India | 3 hours; ~90 questions (4 marks each) | Undergraduate admission to IITs | High | Admission to premier engineering institutions |
| 4 | GATE | India (also accepted in Singapore & Germany) | 3 hours; MCQs & numerical questions | Postgraduate admission & PSU recruitment | High | Critical for technical career advancement |
| 5 | GRE | Worldwide | 3 hours 45 minutes; includes verbal, quantitative, & writing sections | Admission to MBA, MS, & other graduate programs | High | Key for admission to top global universities |
| 6 | Master Sommelier Diploma Exam | USA (also held in the UK) | 50 minutes; includes service, theory, & blind tasting | Qualification for certified sommelier status | High | Prestigious achievement in the hospitality industry |
| 7 | All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam | Oxford, UK | 3 hours for 4 essay papers | To secure a 7-year fellowship at All Souls College | Very High | Prestigious academic fellowship with elite recognition |
| 8 | CCIE | USA (globally available) | 2 hours (separate written and lab exams) | Technical certification for networking professionals | High | Recognized as a top networking certification worldwide |
| 9 | Mensa International | Worldwide | ~25 minutes; typically 35 problems | Membership in a high IQ society | High | Entry into an elite community of exceptionally high IQ individuals |
| 10 | CFA | Worldwide | ~6 hours per level; 240 questions (Levels I–III vary in format) | Professional designation for investment/finance experts | High | Highly respected qualification essential for finance careers |
Detailed Breakdown of the Toughest Exams in the World
Some exams are extremely difficult to pass because they test deep knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These exams have tough competition and low success rates, making them the hardest in the world. Here, we will explore Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World and understand why they are so challenging.
Gaokao
The Gaokao, introduced in 1952, is considered as one of the hardest exams in the world. It is for high school students in China who want to get into top universities. Every year, millions of students appear for this highly competitive exam, which plays a major role in shaping their future. The Gaokao includes subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Languages, with Chinese as a mandatory language. Students also have the option to select a foreign language of their choice.
| Category | Details |
| Difficulty Level | Very High |
| Duration and Format | Around 9 hours, conducted over 2-3 days with multiple subjects |
| Pass Rate | Low – Only a small percentage qualify for top universities |
| Competition Level | Extremely High |
| Scope and Coverage | Conducted every year in Mainland China, Subjects covered: Mathematics, Science and Language. |
| Impact | Determines university admissions; affects future career opportunities |
UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
The UPSC exam is considered one of the Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World. It’s for those aspiring to join India’s Civil Services, like IAS, IPS, and IFS. Candidates need strong knowledge of subjects like History, Geography, Science, and Economics. The age limit is 21 to 32 years, with a limit of 6 attempts for General category and 9 for OBC candidates. Preparing for UPSC usually takes years of dedication.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To join Civil Services |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 3 hours, 2 papers (General Studies & CSAT) |
| Pass Rate | 0.20% (Very Low) |
| Competition Level | High |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | India |
| Impact of the Exam | Opens doors to top government jobs |
IIT JEE Advanced
The IIT-JEE is a highly competitive entrance exam in India for students who want to become engineers. It is taken after completing high school and is considered one of the toughest exams in the world. The exam tests students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Successfully passing the IIT-JEE gives students the chance to get into India’s top engineering colleges.
The IIT JEE Advanced is one of the hardest engineering entrance exams, with less than 1% of students securing admission. Let us see some important aspects of this difficult exam:
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To enter top colleges in the field of engineering |
| Difficulty Level | High |
| Duration and Format | 3 hours, 90 questions, 4 marks each |
| Pass Rate | 20-30% (Source) |
| Competition Level | High |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Held annually in India in all states. Subjects covered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. |
| Impact of the Exam | To get into top graduate colleges in India |
GATE
The GATE exam is one of the toughest exams in the world, designed for engineering and technology students. It checks both theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Accepted by universities in India, Germany, and Singapore, it requires intense preparation. The exam carry very high competition as it includes multiple-choice and numeric questions on subjects from all engineering domains respectively.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | Admission to IITs, IISc, IIITs, NITs, and top institutes |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 3 hours |
| Pass Rate | 18% (Source) |
| Exam Location | India, Singapore, Germany |
| Subjects Covered | Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, IT, Computer Science Engineering |
| Impact | Crucial for technical career advancement |
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
The GRE is one of the toughest exams in the world, required for admission to master’s degree programs, especially in the United States. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative skills, and analytical thinking. Top universities like MIT demand high scores, making it a crucial and challenging test for students aiming for higher education.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To get into top colleges for MS across the world |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Pass Rate | 43% |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Across the world |
| Impact of the Exam | To get into top global universities in Technology |
Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
The Master Sommelier is one of the toughest exam in the world. It tests knowledge of wine, drinks, and food pairing. The exam has three parts: service, theory, and blind tasting. With a success rate of only 10%, it takes years of training to pass. Earning this diploma is a big achievement in the hospitality industry.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | Test knowledge of beverages & hospitality services |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 50 minutes |
| Pass Rate | 5-10% |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Twice a year in the US, once a year in the UK |
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All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam at Oxford University is among the toughest exams in the world. It offers a prestigious 7-year fellowship, but only a few candidates are selected. The exam focuses on Humanities, requiring applicants to write two essays on topics of their choice. Only those with a strong academic background in Humanities are eligible to apply.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To secure a prestigious 7-year fellowship |
| Difficulty Level | Very High |
| Duration and Format | Four papers, each lasting 3 hours |
| Pass Rate | 2.5% (Source) |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Philosophy, English Literature, Economics and Politics. |
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)
The CCIE exam is for network engineers and is known as one of the toughest exams. It tests knowledge and skills in designing and fixing complex networks. The CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) is a standardized test that demands expertise in networking and practical problem-solving. The exam includes 6 tests on areas like routing, security, and collaboration. With many Cisco engineers and a low success rate, it’s one of the hardest exams to pass.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To get into building technology infrastructures |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 2 hours, 6 series of tests |
| Pass Rate | 30% (Source) |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | CISCO Engineers are tested on subjects including Network Infrastructure, Software Defined Infrastructure, Infrastructure Structure, and Services |
Mensa International
Mensa is a society for people with very high IQs, in the top 2% worldwide. To join, you must pass a tough exam that tests your logic, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. The exam is challenging, and members belong to a group of highly intelligent people, ranging from ages 2 to 100.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To belong to an elite community of internationally high IQ |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 25 minutes, 35 problems |
| Pass Rate | 0.02% |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | Conducted in roughly 90 countries such as the US, UK, Ireland, and Germany |
| Impact of the Exam | To be a part of an elite community of IQ over 98% |
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
The CFA exam is considered one of the toughest exams in the world, especially in finance. It has a challenging structure and syllabus, making it a key qualification for finance careers. Accepted in over 100 countries, the CFA certification opens doors to high-demand positions. The exam has 3 levels, with the first 2 being objective-type and the third being subjective.
| Category | Details |
| Purpose of the Exam | To qualify as a CFA Charter |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | High |
| Duration and Format | 6 hours, 240 questions |
| Pass Rate and Competition Level | 20% in Level 1 (Source) |
| Scope and Coverage of the Exam | All over India. Subjects covered include Economics, Financial Reporting and Analysis, and Portfolio Management |
| Impact and Importance of the Exam | High importance for members who want to get into Finance |
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Criteria to Determine the World’s Toughest Exam
Some exams stand out as the most challenging because they push students to showcase their best skills. The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World are considered tough because of factors like difficult questions, a wide range of topics, low pass rates, and tough competition. These factors make these exams really challenging. You can check out the points below for the criteria to determine the World’s Toughest Exam.
- Difficulty Level of the Exam: Tough exams have challenging questions that require deep understanding and critical thinking. These questions can be tricky, requiring students to solve complex problems or show a strong grasp of the subject.
- Duration and Format of the Exam: The length and structure of an exam also make it difficult. For example, the top 10 toughest exams in the World often have strict time limits and many sections, such as multiple-choice questions, essays, or practical tasks. Managing time during these exams can be as hard as answering the questions themselves.
- Pass Rate and Competition: The toughest exams have very low pass rates, meaning only a small number of candidates succeed. Many talented people take them, which makes the competition even tougher.
- Scope and Coverage of the Exam: Exams that cover a wide range of topics or require detailed knowledge of a subject are naturally tougher. For example, the top 10 toughest exams in the World often test students on multiple areas, requiring not just memorization but also the ability to connect and apply concepts.
- Impact and Importance of the Exam: These exams are important because they open the door to big opportunities. Passing them can lead to admission into top colleges, scholarships, or careers like being a doctor or lawyer.
How to Apply for these Exams?
Applying for exams can be tricky, and if not done right, it can mess up your entire plan. It’s really important to complete your application on time and with proper preparation. Here are some simple guidelines to help you with the application process:
- Check Eligibility: Make sure you meet all the requirements for the exam before starting the application.
- Check the Application Deadline: Know the important dates like when the application starts and ends, the last date for fee payment, and other key dates.
- Gather Documents: Collect all the necessary documents before starting. If any documents take time to prepare, like government-issued IDs, start early.
- Read Instructions Carefully: Read the application instructions carefully to avoid mistakes.
- Apply Early: Try to finish your application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues or stress.
- Make Your Fee Payment: Most exams require a fee. Make sure you know the payment methods and pay on time, either online or offline.
- Double-Check Information: After filling out your application, review all the details carefully. If you find mistakes, fix them during the editing window if possible.
- Confirmation Mail/Receipt: After submitting your application, keep the confirmation email or receipt for future reference.
- Seek Help If Needed: If you face any issues or confusion, contact the exam authorities immediately for help.
- Stay Updated: After completing your application, keep checking the official website for any updates or changes to the exams
Strategies to Crack Tough Exams
To do well in an exam, you need a good routine and the right approach. Many of the toughest exams in the world are professional certifications with high stakes for career advancement. This includes managing your time, creating a focused study plan, practising mock tests, and staying positive. With dedication and smart techniques, you can pass even the toughest exams. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World:
- Understand the topics and how the exam is structured. This will help you focus on what’s important.
- Create a schedule that gives extra time to your weaker subjects. Stick to it daily.
- Use reliable books, notes, and online resources to study better.
- Solve mock tests and sample papers to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Manage your time so you can study, revise, and take breaks.
- Go over what you’ve learned regularly so you don’t forget it.
- Talk to teachers, mentors, or experts for guidance and advice.
- Keep track of current events and trends related to the exam.
- Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep to stay healthy and focused.
- Believe in yourself and stay positive throughout your preparation.
Ultimately, the toughest exams in the world test not just your knowledge but also your ability to stay focused and work hard. While passing these exams can lead to great opportunities, they need dedication and strong effort to succeed.
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FAQs on Toughest Exams in the World
The toughest exams include Gaokao, IIT JEE Advanced, UPSC Civil Services, GRE, and more. Each of these exams is known for its rigorous content and extremely competitive nature.
Gaokao is extremely competitive, covering a broad range of subjects. It determines university admissions in China and has a very low pass rate, making it stressful for students.
The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World are difficult due to their competitive nature, extensive syllabus, and rigorous evaluation process. Most of these exams have pass rates as low as 1-10%, making them highly challenging.
The pass rate for the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is extremely low, often under 10%, due to its complex blind tasting and theory components.
To crack any of the Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World, you need a well-structured study plan, consistency, and in-depth understanding of the syllabus. Solving previous years’ question papers and taking mock tests also help in preparation.
To be eligible for IIT JEE Advanced, candidates must be under 25 years old, have cleared JEE Mains, and have secured at least 75% in their Class 12 exams or be in the top 20 percentile.
The Mensa IQ test consists of multiple-choice questions that assess logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. It’s timed and requires high mental acuity.
Gaokao covers subjects such as Chinese language, Mathematics, and Science or Social Sciences, depending on the student’s chosen track. The exam is known for its challenging difficulty.
While primarily for Indian students, the GATE exam is also accepted by several international universities, including in countries like Singapore and Germany, for postgraduate studies.
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years old and possess a degree from a recognized university. The exam is known for its long preparation time and a tough interview process.
Gaokao exam is known as world’s toughest exam. The Gaokao exam in China, known for its intense difficulty, determines university placements for over 12 million students annually, making it one of the most stressful standardized tests.
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