# The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World URL: https://technosports.co.in/top-10-toughest-exams-in-the-world-as-of-2023/ Published: 2025-01-31 Updated: 2025-01-31 Author: Ishika Setia Growing up, everyone has faced the stress of challenging exams, eagerly awaiting results, and questioning their difficulty. Ever wondered about the world’s toughest exams? A list of such exams globally has been compiled, known for their extreme mental and physical demands. ## **The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World** ### **Gaokao, China** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/7f994221121e45e99d9f98cfa4f6f7db.jpg) *Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World* Millions of Chinese students take the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao), which is necessary for admission to Ivy League universities. ### **IIT-JEE, India** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IIT-JEE-LOGO-jpg.webp) Around 100,000 candidates take India’s Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), an engineering entrance test with a meagre 1% passing rate. ### **UPSC Exam, India** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-40.jpg) *Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World* Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, this exam has a success rate ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%, recruiting officers like [IAS](https://technosports.co.in/?s=IAS), IFS, and IPS. ### **Mensa, England** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-41.jpg) [Mensa](https://www.mensa.org/), an international high-IQ society, accepts members with an IQ greater than 98% of the population. It is one of the top 10 toughest exams. ### **GRE, US/Canada** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-42.jpg) Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) assess verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills and are a prerequisite for many graduate programs. ### **CFA, US/Canada** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-43.png) Over 100,000 candidates worldwide take the three-level Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, which necessitates 48 months of professional experience. ### **CCIE, US** ![Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-44.jpg) Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) exam, divided into 6 parts, is completed by only 1% of candidates, making it highly prestigious in the networking industry. ### **GATE, India** The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) evaluates engineering concepts and general aptitude, granting admission to master’s programs. ### **USMLE, US** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-46.png) *Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World* The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) assesses physicians’ ability to apply knowledge effectively, allowing them to practice medicine in the US. ### **California Bar Exam, US** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-47.jpg) *Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World* The California Bar Exam, with a passing score of 144, is held twice a year and aims to induct graduates into the Bar Society. California is working on making it less challenging. You can check out the [Microsoft AZ-500 Practice Tests Dumps](https://www.examlabs.com/az-500-exam-dumps) in ExamLabs to help you prepare for these exams. ## ***FAQs*** ### **What are some of the exams considered to be the toughest in the world?** he difficulty of exams can be subjective, but some frequently mentioned contenders include: **Gaokao (China):** A high-stakes national exam that determines university entrance for millions of students in China. **UPSC Civil Services Exam (India):** A multi-stage exam to select candidates for prestigious civil service positions in India. **IIT-JEE Advanced (India):** A highly competitive entrance exam for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). **USMLE (United States):** A series of three exams for medical licensing in the United States. **Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (Various Countries):** A grueling test of knowledge and tasting skills for aspiring Master Sommeliers. **All Souls Prize Fellowship (UK):** An extremely competitive fellowship program at Oxford University. **Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program (Worldwide):** A globally recognized professional credential for investment management. **Mensa International:** Not technically an exam, but a high IQ society with a difficult entrance test. ### **What makes these exams so tough?** These exams often combine factors like: **Vast syllabus:** Covering a broad range of subjects in great depth. **High competition:** A limited number of seats available for a large pool of qualified candidates. **Pressure:** The importance of these exams can lead to significant stress for test-takers. **Difficult content:** Requiring advanced knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.