Education helps people learn new things. It helps children choose the right way in life. Many students around the world study for exams that can change their future. Some exams are easy and test simple learning. Some exams are very hard and need many years of study, strong focus, and a calm mind.
Many students want to pass big exams. They want good colleges, good jobs, and respect. But not all students can pass. Exams are so tough that they are called the hardest exams in the world. These tests are not limited to books. They challenge patience, hard work, and great minds.
This article discusses the 10 hardest exams in the world. Very few students pass these exams. This list is written in very easy words. It helps students, parents, and teachers understand clearly. The goal is to help and guide students who want to take these exams.
A world's hardest exam is not hard only because of books. It is hard because of many reasons. These exams test the student’s full strength, both mind and body. Many students feel pressure even before starting preparation.
An exam becomes very tough when millions of students compete for only a few seats. This creates fear and stress. A large syllabus also adds to the difficulty. Students have to study many subjects and remember many topics. Some exams take many hours in one day. Others take many years to complete fully.
The passing rate of these exams is very low. Sometimes only 1 out of 100 students passes. In some exams, one test decides the whole future of the student. If the student fails, they may need to wait one full year to try again.
Because of all this pressure, such tests are often called the world most toughest exam. These exams need smart planning, strong support, and good mental health care.
Gaokao is China’s most important college entrance exam. It is often called the toughest exam in world. This exam decides which college a student can attend and what subject they can study. For many students, Gaokao decides their entire future.
The exam takes place once a year and lasts about nine hours over two days. Students are tested in Chinese language, Mathematics, a foreign language, and science or arts subjects. The questions are long and need deep thinking. Even a small mistake can lower the final rank.
Every year, millions of students appear for Gaokao. Only a very small number get seats in top universities. Because of this pressure, students start preparing from a very young age. Many study late at night and wake up early every day for years.
The success rate is very low. Less than one percent reach top colleges. The exam brings heavy stress, making it one of the hardest exams in the world.
IIT-JEE is one of the top 10 toughest exams in world. Students interested in pursuing engineering at the Indian Institutes of Technology can use it. IITs are reputed to be of good education and high regard.
The exams are two, which are known as JEE Main Exam and JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced requires the students to first pass JEE Main. These consist of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. The questions are not direct. They challenge intellect, reasoning and profound comprehension.
The majority of the students take this exam between two and four years. A large number of them enroll in coaching classes and work long hours daily. It becomes extremely difficult to strike the right balance between school, coaching and self-study.
Over 15 lakh students appear every year for the JEE Exam. IITs select only about 10,000 students. Its success rate is below one percent. Due to pressure and competition, IIT-JEE is said to be one of the most difficult in the world.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the hardest exams in the world. It also selects officers to posts of IAS, IPS and IFS. These are jobs that are highly revered in India.
The test consists of three phases namely Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The syllabus is very wide. It has history, geography, science, economy, politics and contemporary events. The students will also be required to write the long answers and conduct interviews.
The entire exam procedure is over one year. A high number of students train between three to five years. They require a good memory, writing, and thinking power.
Over one million students apply every year. The number of those who make it to the final stage is only a few thousand. Only a small fraction less than 0.2% are eventually chosen. Due to low passing rate and time taken in preparing, UPSC is rated among the most difficult exams globally.
The CFA exam is known as one of the toughest exams in the finance field. It is respected across the world. Many people take this exam to build a career in finance and investment.
The CFA exam has three levels. Each level tests finance, ethics, and money management skills. Students need to study 300 to 400 hours for each level. The topics are deep and need strong understanding.
The exam is held once a year for higher levels. If a student fails, they must wait for the next year. This makes the process long and stressful.
Pass rates are low. Only 20% to 50% pass each level. Many students take years to clear all three levels. Because of hard topics and long study time, CFA is counted among the top 10 toughest exams in world.
GRE is an exam needed for students who want to study abroad, especially in the United States. It is required for many master’s and PhD programs.
The exam tests Maths, English reading, and writing skills. Time management is very important. Students must answer many questions in a short time. Even small mistakes can lower the score.
Top universities accept only high GRE scores. Because of this, students feel strong pressure to perform well. Many students prepare for months while managing college or jobs.
GRE is not impossible, but scoring high is hard. Only top scorers get admission to top colleges. Due to pressure and competition, GRE is considered the world hardest exam for many students.
LNAT is an entrance exam used by top law colleges in the United Kingdom. It is taken by students who want to study law at well-known universities. Unlike many other exams, LNAT does not test law subjects. Instead, it measures the ability of a student to think, read, and clearly express ideas. This is what makes the exam different and challenging in its own way.
The test examines reading, reasoning and writing ability. Students will be required to read extended passages and respond to questions within a limited time. These questions are used to test the comprehension of the students on what they are reading. Students also have an essay section where they are supposed to write well and present their ideas on a certain topic. No opinions are right or wrong but clear thinking is essential.
LNAT does not have a standard syllabus. This complicates the process of preparation as students cannot rely on books only. They must slowly improve reading habits, thinking skills, and writing practice. Only about 10% of students get into top law schools through LNAT. Due to low success rate and mental pressure, it is counted among the top 10 toughest exams in world.
USMLE is an exam for doctors who want to practice medicine in the United States. It is complex and challenging and medical knowledge, skills and decision-making are tested. The exam is lengthy and difficult, which makes many students consider it to be one of the most difficult exams in the world.
The exam has three main stages. These stages are spread over several years. Each stage checks different parts of medical learning, such as theory, patient care, and real-life problem solving. Students must remember a large amount of information and also know how to use it correctly.
Preparation for USMLE takes many years. Many students study while working in hospitals. This makes it both physically and mentally tiring. Long study hours, lack of rest, and high expectations add to the stress.
The pass rate changes at each stage, but pressure remains high throughout the journey. Because of its long duration, deep knowledge requirement, and high exam stress, USMLE is counted among the world hardest exam systems.
GATE is a national-level exam in India for engineering and science students. It is used for higher studies like master’s programs and for jobs in government companies. Many students appear for this exam every year, making it highly competitive.
The exam tests Mathematics, general thinking ability, and core engineering subjects. The questions are not simple. They check how well a student understands basic ideas and how they apply them. Guesswork does not help much in this exam.
Students usually prepare for one to three years. They revise subjects again and again and solve many practice questions. Managing time and staying focused is very important.
Every year, lakhs of students appear for GATE, but only about 15% qualify. Even fewer get top ranks or government jobs. Because of strong competition, deep thinking questions, and low success rate, GATE is considered a tough exam and is part of the world’s toughest exam list.
The Mensa IQ Test is used to find people with very high intelligence levels. It is different from school or college exams because it has no syllabus and no textbooks. Only thinking ability matters.
The test checks logic, patterns, and problem-solving skills. Questions may look simple, but they need sharp thinking. Students cannot prepare in a traditional way. There is no fixed method or formula to learn.
Only the top 2% of people who take the test can pass and become members of Mensa. This makes it very difficult. The test checks natural thinking speed and accuracy. Because of this, even intelligent people fail.
The Mensa IQ Test is regarded as one of the most difficult examinations globally, despite not being book-based, because it does not have a syllabus, there is no definite exam preparation plan, and the pass rate is very low.
The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is one of the hardest exams in the food and drink industry. It is taken by people who want to become expert wine professionals. Very few people in the world have passed this exam.
The exam has many parts. It includes blind wine tasting, where students must identify wines without seeing the bottle. It also tests service skills and deep theory knowledge about wine. Each part needs years of practice and strong memory.
Preparation takes a long time. Students must taste many wines, learn details, and practice service skills again and again. The exam is strict, and even small mistakes can lead to failure.
The pass rate is below 10%. Most students give up several times before they pass. It is one of the most difficult, time consuming and low success rate in the world due to its difficulty, long preparation time, and lack of success.
Mentrovert offers complete support for students preparing for tough exams. Its goal is to help students stay focused, calm, and confident.
What Mentrovert Provides:
Mentrovert believes every student needs a mentor, guide, or friend. By offering care, clarity, and constant support, Mentrovert ensures that no student feels lost or alone while preparing for the world’s toughest exams.
The most challenging exams in India are UPSC CSE, IIT JEE Advanced, NEET or CAT, which are characterized by very large syllabus, high competition, very low success rates, and the pressure on students nationwide.
The UPS Civil Services Exam is regarded to be the most difficult in India.
Yes, under guidance and support, lots of students achieve success.
The majority of hard exams require 2-5 years.
Mentrovert assists in counseling guidance and mental assistance.
.jpg)
