Last Updated on September 6, 2024
We get the exam season flu and how difficult end-terms can be. But did you know that many exams out there can drive even the nerd up the wall? We bet you didn’t!
Follow along as we discuss the top 10 toughest exams in the world in 2024.
The toughest exams in the world are
- Gaokao
- JEE
- UPSC
- USMLE
- CFA
- All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
- CCIE
- Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
- Mensa International
- CA/ CMA Exams.
The three toughest exams in the world are from India: JEE, UPSC, and GATE. Preparing for these exams is every student’s dream and nightmare at the same time. The cut-throat competition between the students puts them under unbearable pressure.
Gaokao test is taken by around 10 million students annually but has a success rate of only 0.5%, with the test-takers gaining admission to top Chinese universities.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam has an acceptance rate of less than 0.1% and requires candidates to master subjects over several years of study.
The CFA exams are divided into three levels. Only 20% of the candidates can clear all three levels. The pass rate of each level is approximately 40%.
This marks the dedication required to succeed in these exams, making them some of the toughest exams in the world.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
A list of the top 10 toughest exams in the world is given below:
| Exam | Country | Purpose |
| Gaokao | China | College Entrance Exam |
| JEE | India | Undergraduate admission to Indian Institutes of Technology |
| UPSC | India | Administrative posts in India, such as IAS, IPS, and IFS |
| Master Sommelier Diploma Exam | USA | For aspiring wine professionals |
| Mensa IQ Test | Worldwide | High-IQ society in the world |
| USMLE | USA | Entrance exam after you get into the medical schools |
| CFA | US/Canada | For investment professionals |
| CCIE | USA | Network engineers |
| All Souls Fellowship Examination | UK | Graduate students in All Souls College at the University of Oxford |
| CA/ CMA Exams | India | Careers in accounting, finance, or related fields |
These exams can seem very challenging. Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t clear the exam on your first attempt! Analyze your attempt, change your study strategies, and find resources that boost your preparation for a higher score next time.
Gaokao Exam in China
The Gaokao, also known as the “national college entrance exam,” holds great value and is known as the toughest exam in the world. Every year, over 13 million students sit for the exams after passing school.
- In 2024, around 13.42 million appeared for the exam.
- The question papers are kept behind bars so that they are not leaked.
- The Gaokao examination is held in China every June.
There is no single threshold for passing this exam, so that you will get admission to your college or university based on your scores.
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam Dates | June 7 and 8, 2024 |
| Location | Maotanchang |
| Frequency | Held once a year |
| Retake Policy | Students can retake multiple times |
| Duration | 9 hours |
| Mandatory Subjects | Chinese Mathematics (required for all majors, including law and commerce) |
| Tracks | Arts: Geography, History, Political ScienceScience: Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Foreign Language Options | English, French, Japanese, Russian, German, Spanish |
| Admission Requirements | Top 1% or top 0.5% marks needed for prestigious universities like Peking University |
| Eligibility | Most students are between 16-18 |
Why is it Considered the Toughest Exam in the World?
There are many reasons why the Gaokao exam is considered one of the hardest exams in the world. Some of them are mentioned below:
- The passing score for the Gaokao is less than 0.26%, enabling students to join some of China’s most elite colleges.
- The cut-off score is exceptionally high, around 600. The questions are set off with incredible difficulty.
The Gaoko exam is one of the toughest exams in the world and can be taken only once a year unless you are willing to delay your college admission. This is why it’s considered one of the toughest exams in the world.
Success Rate Summary for Gaokao Exam in China
| Year | Number of examinees | Accepted students | Acceptance rate |
| 2024 | 13,420,000 | – | – |
| 2023 | 12,910,000 | 10,970,000 | 84.97% |
| 2022 | 11,930,000 | 10,145,400 | 85.04% |
| 2021 | 10,780,000 | 10,013,200 | 92.89% |
| 2020 | 10,710,000 | 9,675,000 | 90.34% |
| 2019 | 10,310,000 | 9,149,000 | 88.74% |
| 2018 | 9,750,000 | 7,909,900 | 81.13% |
JEE
The IIT JEE Advanced is necessary for admission to top Indian engineering colleges and is one of the toughest exams in India and the world. Suppose you are planning to get admission to the Indian Institute of Technology. In that case, you must rank well in the IIT-JEE Advanced, the world’s toughest engineering entrance exam.
Cracking the IIT is a two-step process:
- Qualify for JEE Mains.
- The next step is to take the JEE Advanced exam.
| Parameters | Details |
| No candidates appeared in 2024 | 14,16,110 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
| Application Fee | 1000 INR for male candidates800INR for female candidates |
| Duration | 3 hour |
| Paper 1 for Mains | Mathematics PhysicsChemistry |
| Paper 2 for Mains | Mathematics AptitudeDrawing. |
| JEE Advanced | MCQsNumerical answer-type questions Match the following |
Why is JEE Considered the Toughest Exam in the World?
Below are some reasons for JEE being the toughest exam in the world
- For 2024, the official cutoff percentage for IIT-JEE Main was 90.77% for the General category, 73% for OBC, 51% for SC, and 37% for ST, 75% for EWS.
- Each year, 1.5 million students take the JEE Mains, with only 10% qualifying for the JEE Advanced. The success rate for the entire process ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%.
Out of 180,500 students who took the JEE Advanced 2024, only 49,248 qualified for IIT admissions, resulting in a qualification rate of just 26.77%
Success Rate Summary for JEE
| Year | No. of applicants for Mains | Cleared Mains/appeared for Advance | Qualified | %Qualified |
| 2024 | 1,476,557 | 186,584 | 48,248 | 3.27% |
| 2023 | 1,162,398 | 189,744 | 43,773 | 3.77% |
| 2022 | 1,026,799 | 160,038 | 40,712 | 3.96% |
| 2021 | 1,048,012 | 151,193 | 41,862 | 3.99% |
| 2020 | 1,174,000 | 160,838 | 43,204 | 3.68% |
| 2019 | 1,237,892 | 174,432 | 38,705 | 3.13% |
UPSC
The UPSC is the passage for Indian hopefuls to an outstanding nation-serving career. The UPSC exam, recognized as one of the world’s toughest exams, requires passing three phases: prelims, mains, and interviews. Motivated graduates who want to serve their country in respected roles such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), or Indian Police Service (IPS).
Why is UPSC Considered as the Toughest Exams in the World?
Below, we talk about why UPSC is among the toughest exams in the world.
- The number of positions open to applicants is quite limited because the competition across India is intense. For UPSC in 2024, there are 1056 vacancies, with 40 slots set aside for PWD students.
- The test includes topics from geography, history, political science, technology, economics, and current events. This is a challenging effort for candidates to prepare thoroughly.
- People wanting to qualify must proceed through numerous stages – the Prelims, Mains, and eventually ending with a final interview round, ultimately deciding whether they are selected.
- Candidates often stop trying because of the long and heavy time investment required for exam preparation.
- UPSC is recognized for its unforeseen question models, which examine candidates’ application of their practical understanding instead of remembering the details.
Success Rate Summary for UPSC
| Year | Number of candidates applied | Number of candidates who qualified for mains | Number of candidates who appeared for the interview | The final number of candidates who got selected for posts |
| 2024 | 12-15 lakhs | Exams ongoing | Exams ongoing | Exams ongoing |
| 2023 | 13 lakh | 14624 | 2916 | 1016 |
| 2022 | 11.5 Lakh (approximately) | 13090 | 2529 | 933 |
| 2021 | 11 Lakh (approximately) | 10000 | 1800 | 761 |
| 2020 | 10.5 Lakh (approximately) | 10500 | 2100 | 796 |
| 2019 | 8 Lakh (approximately) | 11845 | 2034 | 829 |
Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
Have you ever thought of being a wine professional? If yes, you might face the wrath of the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, as it is the ultimate challenge for aspiring wine professionals.
Organized by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), it tests an individual’s in-depth knowledge of beverages and their service finesse, making it the toughest exam in the world.
- The Master Sommelier exam is offered twice a year in the US and once in the UK.
- Only 25-30% of those who pass the Advanced Sommelier exam (a prerequisite) even qualify to attempt the MS.
The MS comprises three rigorous parts:
| Parameters | Description |
| Stage 1: Theory Examination | Oral examination where candidates must win this round with their exceptional knowledge of wine theory through in-depth discussions. |
| Stage 2: Deductive Tasting | Blind tasting takes center stage. Candidates must analyze six wines, accurately identifying their grape varietal, region, and vintage. |
| Stage 3: Practical Wine Service | This section evaluates a candidate’s service skills. |
| Minimum passing percentage | 75% |
Why is Master Sommelier Diploma Exam considered the toughest exam in the world?
Some of the reasons why the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is considered the most difficult in the world are mentioned below:
- Only 229 students have been able to pass this exam.
- The pass rate for the theory part of this toughest exam in the world is 10%
- On average, about 25% of students pass the Advanced Sommelier Examination and qualify for the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination.
- Some even compare this exam to par with studying for a medical degree.
Most applicants do not qualify for the third round as they must serve wine while answering questions. This makes them lose concentration.
Mensa IQ Test
Mensa is unlike another typical exam; it’s a global society for individuals who score exceptionally high on standardized intelligence tests, typically in the 98th percentile or above. More than 3,881 Mensa are from India.
| Parameters | Details |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| No of questions | UG- 40 questions PG- 30 questions |
| Negative marking | 0.25 for every incorrect answer |
| Minimum score | 98th percentileStanford–Binet is 133 Cattell is 149Wechsler tests is 131 |
USMLE
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a challenging series of exams that physicians must pass to practice medicine in the US. USMLE is known for its high standards and extensive content, it boasts a pass rate of 94-97% for its various steps, reflecting its difficulty. The students take this exam after they get into the medical school in the US.
| Parameters | Details |
| Purpose | Students take it after getting into a medical school in the USA. |
| 1st Stage | 8 hours (280 MCQ questions from anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology) |
| 2nd stage | 9 hours (318 questions covering areas in internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery.) |
| 3rd stage | 18 hours – taken in two sections(412 MCQs and 13 computer-based simulations applying medical knowledge in the real world) |
| Passing score for step 1 | 196 |
All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
This reputable test is managed by the All Souls College at Oxford University, once recognized as the toughest exam globally. The purpose of this exam at Oxford University is to provide a fellowship of seven years.
- Annually, out of 82 candidates, only one or two are chosen.
- Applicants must submit four essays on any topic from various Humanity areas.
- The maximum time limit for each essay is 3 hours.
- Only students with strong humanities background can take part in the exam.
Those who succeed in this tough examination are invited for a viva. It is where they need to describe their solutions verbally.
| Parameters | Details |
| Purpose | Grants a 7-year fellowship for graduate students |
| Conducted by | All Souls College at Oxford University |
| Pattern | It takes twelve hours and consists of 4 papers. Candidates can choose any topic to write their two specialized papers |
| Paper 1 | Classical studies, economics, and English literature |
| Paper 2 | History, law, Philosophy, Political topics |
CCIE(Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)
Want to be a validated network engineer? CCIE certification is your goal, then. It is a prestigious exam offered by Cisco Systems. It is also one of the toughest exams in the world.
| Parameters | Details |
| Subjects tested | Software Defined InfrastructureInfrastructure StructureNetwork Infrastructure |
| Duration | 2 hours theory and 8 hours hands-on lab exam |
| Passing rate | Applicants who cleared the first stage are eligible to take the second one lasts 8 hours 1% pass rate |
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program isn’t just an exam; it’s a rigorous three-level journey toward becoming an investment professional. The CFA Institute announced that in February 2024, 44% of 16,932 candidates passed the Level I exam, and 49% of 13,619 candidates passed the Level III exam.
| Parameters | Details |
| Levels | Three levels: CFA Level 1 CFA Level 2 CFA Level 3 |
| Duration | 6-hour test 240 questions |
| Number of times the exam is held | Level 1 is held 4 times in February May AugustNovember. |
CA/CMA Exams
In India, two professional certifications are significant for commerce graduates who want to work in accounting, finance, or other similar fields. These certificates are the Chartered Accountant (CA), given by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), and the Cost and Management Accountant (CMA), awarded by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). They both have a high reputation because they’re difficult to achieve, but they hold significant value when finding jobs. Although these certifications can lead to successful careers, each one focuses on slightly different skills:
Why is the CA exam considered one of the toughest exams in the world?
Refer to the reasons below to understand why CA is among the toughest exams in the world.
- After passing the CA Foundation exams, most students begin to study or enroll in coaching classes. The first attempt is scheduled for within 9 months following these exams.
- During those 9 months, the student must understand ideas from 8 separate extensive subjects that demand high memory capacity.
- For CA Final 2023, the pass percentage for Group 1 was at 9.46%, followed by Group 2 with a rate of 21.6%. The joint pass percentage for both groups remained at around 9.42%.
- Candidates might encounter a significant problem: the potential of failing to succeed in certain test levels at their initial try.
- In these scenarios, candidates take reattempts until they succeed. This can lengthen their total time to become a CA.
Pass Percentage Analysis of CA Results 2023
| Levels | No. of Candidates Appeared | No. of Candidates Passed | Percentage |
| Group I | 65,294 | 6176 | 9.46% |
| Group II | 62,679 | 13520 | 21.6% |
| Both Groups I and II | 32,907 | 3090 | 9.2% |
Conclusion
In this blog, we discussed the toughest Exams in the world, which include GAOKO, JEE, UPSC, CA/CMA, CFA, and many others. All these exams are highly competitive and have a very low acceptance rate. Students aspiring to take these exams must be highly disciplined, motivated, and ready to put in lots of effort. Students who crack these exams work with prestigious government or private organizations, earning handsome salaries.
Are you also pumped to take this exam? If so, contact us at Admissify, and we will help you through it.
FAQs
What are the top 5 toughest exams in the world?
The top 5 toughest exams in the world are GAOKO, UPSC, JEE, CA/CMA, and CFA.
What are the toughest exams in India?
JEE, UPSC, CFA, and CA are the toughest exams in India
What is the clearing rate of the UPSC exam?
Only 0.1% of aspirants can clear the UPSC exam in India every year.
Is NEET tough to crack?
Yes, the NEET exam is tough to crack. However, with rigorous training and preparation, you can pass this exam.
Rishabh Jain is an educational consultant, certified trainer and career coach, who has trained and counselled over 5000 students to find career clarity, build a strong profile and develop the necessary skills to get admission into their dream college. Rishabh works towards a vision of creating a strong impact through the field of education and has been collaborating with startups, foundations, organizations and institutes over the past 7 years to bring about a change through counselling and upskilling the youth.