Top 13 Toughest Exams in the World 2024

What makes the toughest exams in the world so challenging, and how do they push students and professionals to their limits in pursuit of excellence? All of us have spent our childhoods studying for challenging tests, anxiously anticipating the results, and fretting about whether we received the marks we had hoped for.

Some of you have probably asked yourself, “What are the toughest tests in the world? We have an extensive collection of tests from around the globe that many people believe to be the most difficult exams available.

The length of time required to prepare for these tests has earned them international recognition for being exceedingly taxing, both mentally and physically. Let’s examine these challenging tests and determine the toughest Exams in the World!

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The World’s Top 13 Toughest Exams in 2024

Exams are administered throughout the world. Out of all the tests that are administered worldwide, some stand out, though. These tests are typically considered to be among the toughest exams in the world to take. This is typically brought on by the demanding course or exam subject. The top 13 toughest exams in the world that you should be aware of are as follows:

1. Mensa International/Mensa iQ Test

Compared to many other tests on this list, the Mensa Test assesses your intelligence quotient (IQ) one of the toughest exams in the world to pass is this one. This test is also used to select Mensa members. Mensa members are selected from among exam takers whose IQs are higher than the 98th percentile worldwide. Only 2% of the globe is therefore eligible to join. Examinees are assessed on a variety of skills, including logic, reasoning, and problem-solving, making it one of the most difficult tests to pass.

Why is the MENSA IQ Test considered one of the toughest exams in the world?

The test is challenging to prepare for since it evaluates IQ (pure intelligence) rather than acquired knowledge.
Mensa membership is only available to the top 2% of scoring, guaranteeing fierce competition.
Under time limitations, it tests a variety of cognitive skills, including pattern recognition, logical thinking, and problem-solving.

2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE for short, is regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world. The GRE is administered annually to students worldwide pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees. Particularly for US universities, the test serves as an admission exam for those wishing to pursue a degree overseas. Many universities accept GRE scores, and some do not require the test. But the majority is owned by US universities, which is why thousands of students worldwide study for the exam!

Why is the GRE regarded as one of the world’s toughest exams?

It is difficult for candidates to perform well on the examination because it assesses a variety of abilities, such as analytical writing, quantitative thinking, and verbal reasoning.
Since entrance to prestigious universities requires high marks, test-takers compete fiercely.
Because the GRE challenges you to solve complicated issues in a limited amount of time, it requires both speed and accuracy.

3. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) test is regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world. It serves as a means of evaluating the prospective finance professionals’ financial literacy. According to reports, 16,959 students took the level 1 exam in 2023. Only 38% of the 16,959 pupils were able to advance to the next level. Three stages aspiring finance professionals must go through. There are 240 questions total, and each exam lasts 6 hours. To earn the CFA Charter, you must still accrue 48 months or four years of professional experience after passing all three levels.

Why is the CFA considered one of the toughest exams in the world?

Each of the three exam levels covers a broad and intricate course that covers subjects including portfolio management, financial analysis, and ethics.
Candidates may need years to prepare, and the difficulty of each level is reflected in the pass percentages, which are usually below 50%.
The CFA is extremely difficult for test-takers because it demands not just theoretical knowledge but also practical application of financial principles.

4. Bar Exam

The bar exam is considered one of the toughest exams in the world in the field of law. The test is administered globally and is updated and modified regularly following national laws, rules, and customs. The two-day exam covers a variety of topics, including contacts, criminal legislation, evidence, and more. The test is so difficult that it could be listed among the world’s most difficult bar exams.

California’s bar exam is regarded as one of the most difficult in the world. On the list of challenging exams, the South Korean Bar exam is another candidate for the title of the hardest exam in the world. The acceptance percentage for the South Korean exam is only 40%.

What makes the Bar Exam one of the toughest exams in the world?

A wide range of legal topics are included in the exam, necessitating a thorough comprehension and memorization of intricate laws, procedures, and court decisions.
Both essay and multiple-choice portions are included, and both require excellent writing and analytical abilities under time constraints.
For prospective attorneys, it is quite difficult because the pass percentages are frequently low, particularly in areas with very demanding tests.

5. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam

In and of itself, the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is among the toughest exams in the world! A professional wine steward or waiter who has received training and is well-versed in the world of wines and spirits is referred to as a “sommelier.” To become certified, prospective sommeliers must pass the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. The test is broken up into three parts: an oral theory portion, a wine-tasting portion that involves six different wines, and a wine service portion.

One can question our assertions that this is one of the most difficult tests in the world! The fact that just roughly 200 people have completed the Master Sommelier exam since it was first administered more than 40 years ago in 1969, however, can help you to better understand the situation. Many students try to pass two or three times, and others even try six times!

Why is the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam considered to be one of the toughest exams in the world?

Theory, tasting, and practical service are the three demanding elements of the exam, each of which calls for a high degree of expertise.
In addition to having perfect blind-tasting skills, candidates must exhibit mastery of a wide variety of wines, regions, and vintages.
It is one of the most prestigious credentials in the wine industry due to its exceptionally low pass rate, which requires several tries for many seasoned sommeliers to pass.

6. JLPT (Japan)

Although it is a surprising addition to this list, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is well worth its place. The exam is comparable to other well-known assessments of English language proficiency, like the TOEFL and IELTS. In contrast to these tests, the JLPT has five levels, ranging from N5 to N1, with N5 being the simplest and N1 the worst. The N1 JLPT test is regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world, and it is well-deserved.

You should be able to tell how challenging the N2 and N1 tests are since there are cases where even native Japanese speakers have studied with them! The assessments consist of multiple-choice questions and are separated into “Reading” and “Listening” portions. The purpose of the test is to confirm Japanese language competency both domestically and internationally for prospective employment or educational possibilities.

Why is the JLPT one of the toughest exams in the world?

The most advanced level (N1) calls for a thorough comprehension of Japanese, including its thousands of characters, intricate grammatical structures, and extensive vocabulary.
There is limited opportunity for error when under time pressure because the reading and listening portions require rapid interpretation and comprehension of complex material.
The N1 level has low passing rates, which is indicative of the rigorous study and profound language proficiency needed to be successful.

7. Gaokao (China)

China is well known for consistently producing intelligent people. It is therefore not surprising that one of the most difficult tests in the world would be administered there as well. In China, all students must pass the Gaokao to be admitted to college. The Gaokao reaches even another ceiling in place of the world’s most difficult tests! Mainland China comes to a complete halt for two days during the Gaokao, or “higher education,” which takes place in early June.

One of the toughest exams in the world, students who ace it are virtually assured of excellent job possibilities, while those who don’t frequently struggle. Ambulances are stationed outside exam centers in case of any stressful catastrophes, and TV program hosts go into great detail on the exam because this series of difficult exams is so highly awaited worldwide. The three-digit result at the end of the exam can define a student’s career path, therefore it’s a demanding but crucial test!

Why is the Gaokao (China) Wxam one of the toughest exams in the world?

The test requires years of rigorous preparation and includes a wide range of topics, including physics, math, Chinese, and foreign languages.
In China, Gaokao results are the main criterion for university admissions, putting millions of students under tremendous strain every year.
The exam is one of the most demanding academic tasks in the world because of its duration (up to nine hours over two or three days) and the rivalry for the highest scores.

8. UPSC Civil Services Examination (India)

When discussing the toughest exams in the world, UPSC is unavoidably brought up. The exam is used to choose the best candidates for prestigious administrative posts in the Indian Central Government. This challenging exam series, which consists of three distinct test sets, covers roles including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

These are the preliminary exams, which are followed by the main exam and the personality or interview test. The UPSC test covers a wide range of topics, including geography, botany, ethics, and even ancient history. Out of the over 1.4 million applicants who took the UPSC, one of the hardest exams in the world, only 14,624 were selected to attempt the second round.

What makes the UPSC Exam one of the toughest exams in the world?

The preparatory, mains, and interview phases of the test cover a broad range of topics, from politics and history to ethics and current events.
The extensive curriculum calls for in-depth understanding, critical thinking abilities, and the capacity to apply ideas to practical contexts.
The intense competitiveness and extensive format of the exam make it one of the most difficult for prospective Indian government workers, with a success rate of fewer than 1%.

9. IIT-JEE (India)

Possibly the most difficult engineering test in the world is the Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination! Every Indian has a particular place in their heart and thoughts for IITs, which are considered the pinnacle of engineering schools. Chemistry, physics, and math students must pass this most difficult engineering test in the world, which requires advanced knowledge and a keen mind. The IIT-JEE is given in two stages: the Main level and the Advanced level.

In 2024, the official cutoff percentages for IIT-JEE Main were 90.77% for the General category, 73% for OBC, 51% for SC, 37% for ST, and 75% for EWS. One’s JEE Main scores enable admission to a number of Indian institutes that provide engineering bachelor’s degrees. However, only one of India’s 12 IITs offers admission through JEE Advanced, the most challenging engineering exam in the world.

For what reason is the IIT-JEE exam one of the toughest exams in the world?

The test covers extremely complex physics, chemistry, and math topics and calls for a strong conceptual grasp as well as problem-solving skills.
The elite IITs have a success rate of fewer than 1% due to the intense rivalry among the millions of candidates vying for the few available seats.
Even the most prepared applicants find it extremely challenging because the questions are made to assess not only knowledge but also critical thinking, creativity, and speed.

10. GATE (India)

One of the toughest exams in the world is the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in India. India is renowned for favoring ambitious and accomplished individuals who choose to pursue careers in engineering. It is therefore not surprising that numerous engineering tests in India assess candidates’ knowledge. Although the examination is administered in other nations as well, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and others, the Indian exam is arguably the most difficult in the world, maybe as a result of the fierce rivalry there.

Tests are given to candidates in subjects like general aptitude, science, engineering, and mathematics. GATE scores are also used by several Singaporean and German colleges to evaluate a candidate’s abilities. One of the most challenging tests in the world, the computer-based exam is typically taken by engineering graduates seeking a postgraduate degree. It consists of multiple-choice questions and numerical problems and lasts more than three hours.

Why is the GATE exam considered one of the toughest exams in the world?

The test requires in-depth technical knowledge and analytical abilities and covers a wide range of engineering, science, and math topics.
With more than 25 disciplines to select from, candidates must become proficient in both fundamental and specialized subjects, making preparation extremely difficult.
GATE is one of the most difficult exams in the world because of the fierce competition, with thousands of applicants fighting for admission to esteemed universities, and the low qualification rate.

11. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

Many people consider the All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam to be among the toughest exams in the world. Graduates of any university may take this special and extremely tough exam, which is administered by the University of Oxford. It offers an exceptional chance to be admitted as a fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, one of the most prominent universities in the world. The wide range of topics covered in this exam and the intense level of intellectual rigor needed make it especially intimidating.

Why is it one of the toughest exams in the world, the All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam?

Candidates must have extraordinary intellectual capacity in a variety of subjects, including philosophy, law, history, and more, to pass the exam, which consists of several papers spread over two days.
The difficulty is increased by the extremely strict selection process, which awards just a small number of fellowships every few years, often producing no successful applicants at all.
The notorious “Essay” paper, in which applicants compose an essay using just one word, is a very challenging test of creativity, knowledge depth, and critical thinking.

12. ICAI CA/ICMAI CMA Exam

In the realm of accounting and finance, the ICAI CA (Chartered Accountant) and ICMAI CMA (Cost Management Accountant) are two of the toughest exams in the world. These tests, which are administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), respectively, are essential for anyone who wants to work in India as a certified public accountant (CA) or professional certified public accountant (CPA).

Each of the three phases of both exam series—Foundation, Intermediate, and Final—becomes increasingly challenging. Candidates must pass difficult exams including topics like cost management, taxation, auditing, financial accounting, and law. These courses demand not just academic knowledge but also a thorough comprehension of real-world applications. These tests are among the hardest in the world, as evidenced by their poor pass rates, which are frequently less than 10%. To pass every level, students must dedicate years of focused study time and frequently make multiple attempts.

Why is the ICAI CA/ICMAI CMA considered one of the toughest exams in the world?

The Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels of the tests include a wide range of intricate topics in accounting, law, taxation, and auditing.
Because each stage is so difficult and requires much preparation, pass rates are very low, frequently less than 10%.
It is one of the hardest professional credentials to obtain because the tests require both theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply principles practically.

13. CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

One of the toughest exams in the world, particularly in the fields of networking and information technology, is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) exam. Networking professionals who want to get expert-level certification in areas like routing and switching, security, service providers, collaboration, and data centers can take the Cisco Systems exam.

The infamous eight-hour lab exam and the written exam are the two components of the CCIE certification procedure. The lab exam evaluates candidates’ competence to build, implement, debug, and optimize complex network infrastructures, whilst the written exam evaluates theoretical knowledge. Even seasoned professionals are pushed to their limits by the lab exam’s intense difficulty and hands-on component.

Why is one of the hardest exams in the world the CCIE?

Given the intricacy and high criteria needed, the pass rate is incredibly low, with many candidates requiring many attempts to succeed.
One of the hardest certifications in the IT sector, it demands both practical problem-solving skills and in-depth knowledge of networking protocols.

Thus, these were the world’s top 13 toughest exams in the world. We think our portrayal of the most difficult tests in the world is accurate. We took care to present a wide range of perspectives and expose you to tests you might not be familiar with. Any student can benefit much from taking challenging exams since they not only assess their knowledge and abilities but also instill in them the value of tenacity and constancy.

While studying daily and putting in many hours of effort may seem like a daunting task (see our blog on managing exam stress), it may be a positive experience for your career and personal growth. Even though these tests may be among the most difficult in the world, you shouldn’t worry because you will understand them well after using our admission exam instructions.