The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World as of 2024

The Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World as of 2024

California's twice-yearly Bar Exam (passing score 144) is tough, but they're working on making it less difficult for aspiring lawyers.

California Bar Exam

California Bar Exam

The USMLE is a medical licensing exam for doctors to practice medicine in the US, testing their ability to apply knowledge effectively.

USMLE

GATE

GATE

The GATE exam tests engineering skills and aptitude for Master's programs in India.

CCIE

CCIE

The prestigious CCIE exam, a 6-part gauntlet for network engineers, is only conquered by 1%.

CFA

CFA

The 3-level CFA exam, a grueling test for aspiring investment professionals, is taken by over 100,000 candidates globally and requires 4 years of work experience.

GRE

GRE

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) assess verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills and are a prerequisite for many graduate programs.

Mensa

Mensa

Mensa isn't actually an exam, but a high-IQ society for those scoring above the 98th percentile. Still considered one of the toughest to join.

UPSC Exam

UPSC Exam

The UPSC exam, notoriously tough with a 0.1%-0.3% success rate, selects IAS, IFS, and IPS officers for India's civil service

IIT-JEE

IIT-JEE

Around 100,000 candidates take India’s Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), an engineering entrance test with a meager 1% passing rate.

Gaokao

Gaokao

Millions of Chinese students take the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao), which is necessary for admission to Ivy League universities.