Top 10 toughest exams in the world 2024

Examinations are an integral part of any student’s or professional’s life, whether it’s an academic, an entrance or a professional exam. We all have come across different exams, such as high school or college exams in our early lives, entrance exams for higher studies and exams during the selection process for government or private jobs.

Every exam has its different level of difficulty, such as for jobs in government or private companies, candidates need to go through long and tough levels, consisting of multiple rounds, like the writing test, interview and machine test.

Hence, based on the difficulty levels of the exams, we have listed the top 10 toughest exams in the world.

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List of top 10 toughest exams in the world

Every exam serves diverse purposes and has its own objectives, factors, standards, benefits and grading systems. So, considering their difficulty levels, we have compiled a list of the top 10 toughest exams in the world. So, let’s look at some of the most difficult exams in the world.

• Gaokao
• IIT JEE Advanced
• Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC
• GATE
• GRE
• Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
• ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams
• CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
• Mensa International
• CFA

Detailed view of the top 10 of those above-mentioned exams

Now that you know the top 10 hardest exams in the world, let’s get a detailed view of these.

1. Gaokao

One of the most difficult exams in the world, the Gaokao exam, also known as the National College Entrance Exam (NCEE), is a national-level college entrance examination for high school students.

Held annually in early June in China, the Gaokao exam is essential to get entry into almost all higher educational institutions at the undergraduate level. Administered over two days, the exam is about 9 hours long.

While Standard Chinese and mathematics are included in all tests, candidates can choose either English, Japanese, French, German, Russian or Spanish as their preferred foreign language.

Also Read: Tips to Succeed Online Exams

2. IIT-JEE Advanced

Listed as the second world’s toughest exam, IIT-JEE Advanced is considered the only entrance exam for students who want to get admission to IITs and other prestigious colleges in India for bachelor’s degrees in engineering, science or architecture.

A national-level exam, IIT-JEE Advanced evaluates students based on their knowledge in three subjects, including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

3. Civil Services Exam (CSE)

One of the toughest exams in India, the Civil Services Exam (CSE) is for candidates who want to serve their country in administrative roles.

Administered by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), the Civil Services Exam is a national-level exam, which comprises three stages, including Prelims, Mains and an interview round.

Selected candidates get positions at respected administrative posts, such as Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS) and various other posts at Central Civil Services.

Also Read: Entrance exams to Study Abroad

4. GATE

Considered one of the hardest exams in the world and India too, Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, commonly referred to as GATE, is an online examination conducted in India.

The GATE exam is used for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and other reputable institutes/universities in India for the master’s programs - Master of Engineering (ME), Master in Technology (MTech) and PhD.

Besides, GATE is also used to recruit candidates across Public Sector Companies.

Also Read: Entrance exams for MS

5. GRE

Administered by ETS, the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is one of the most challenging and toughest exams in the world.

The GRE is a computer-based exam that requires candidates who are seeking to pursue a master’s (MS or MBA) in a foreign country.

Conducted multiple times in a year, the exam allows candidates to appear for the exam either from the selected GRE centre or from the comfort of their homes as there is a facility of ‘GRE at Home’ to opt for.

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Related Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT

6. ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams

Conducted by the ICAI (the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the ICAI exam or CA exam, and the Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) exam (conducted by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India - ICMAI) are considered the toughest exams in the world and in India too.

The exam requires graduates who are seeking to pursue a career in accounting, cost management, auditing, finance or taxation.

The course structure for both exams is similar. Conducted at three different levels, the exam requires candidates to clear all the course levels to be a CA/CMA expert. The three different course levels include:

• CA/ CMA Foundation course
• CA/ CMA Intermediate examination
• CA/ CMA Final examination

Also Read: Entrance exams to study abroad for Indian students

7. CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

The CCIE exam (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) is one of the most popular and highly regarded technical certifications worldwide.

Operated by Cisco Systems, this certification is for senior networking professionals who design, develop, implement, maintain and enhance complex networking infrastructures.

The world’s toughest exam is divided into six series, including collaboration, routing and switching, data centre, service provider, security and wireless.

8. Mensa International

Established in England in 1946, Mensa International is not an exam but it is an international organisation for a group of members who have top-scored 98% of the general population on an approved intelligence test.

It is the oldest high-IQ society globally, with more than 145,000 members from about 90 countries. Mensa International is a non-political society for social, cultural and academic interaction.

Also Read: Exams for MBA Abroad

9. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

CFA is one of the most popular designations for finance and investment professionals around the world.

Candidates who are seeking to pursue the CFA course can increase their insights into the finance and investment industry to enhance their skills.

To be certified as Chartered Finance Analysts by the CFA Institute, candidates need to clear three levels of the course - CFA Level 1, CFA Level 2 and CFA Level 3.

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