How would you like to take the world’s toughest exam? Here are the Top 15 Toughest Exams in the World in 2023 that people have to pass just to get into their profession or field of study. Find out what they are and if you’re prepared to take them!
Top 15 Toughest Exams in the World 2023
The Toughest exams in the world are those that are designed to test the very limits of human brainpower and endurance. These exams test students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in ways that are more intense and difficult than other exams.
They are designed to push students to the absolute limit so that they might be able to perform at their very best. While some of these exams are held in UK and USA countries, some of them are held in India.
#1 LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)
The Law National Aptitude Test is a tough exam, with less than 30% of test-takers usually managing to score in a passing range. In order to do well on it, you’ll need to be familiar with legal terms and understand their context. The exact number of potential questions is between 55 and 80, and each is worth 1 mark.
There are also 2 supplemental sections that test your English proficiency: one essay section (worth 5 marks) and another multiple-choice section (worth 8 marks). Lastly, there’s an untimed writing section that tests your knowledge of law history. Note that all sections are unscored; you won’t receive feedback about how well you did until after the results have been released.
#2 UMSLE (The United States Medical Licensing Examination)
The medical profession requires a thorough understanding of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology. The UMSLE is a timed exam that lasts up to 8 hours—and it isn’t easy. Although many students take years to prepare for it, those who pass can pursue an exciting career in medicine or other areas that require a license.
The UMSLE is offered twice per year and is divided into three steps: Step 1 (Basic Sciences), Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge), and Step 3 (Clinical Skills). If you fail any section of these exams on your first try, you have to wait 6 months before taking it again. That’s why it’s so important to start preparing early!
#3 GED (General Education Development)
It’s been around since 1942 and is taken by students all over the world as a way to earn their high school diplomas. GED test-takers can include people who didn’t finish high school, ESL students, former dropouts, and those pursuing college or career training.
The GED test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800; passing scores are set at 150 for each of five subjects (language arts, social studies, science, math, and reasoning through language arts). Getting a passing score takes hard work; a large portion of students take an average of 70 hours of study time over 20 weeks to prepare for it. Good luck!
#4 All Souls Mathematical Tripos (Oxford University)
All Souls Mathematical Tripos was instituted in 1879 and since then it has developed into a formidable examination. Mathematics at Oxford is taught on a three-year undergraduate course (BA or BSc), and it includes an exam that takes place at the end of each year, known as ‘Mods’ (stands for Moderations).
The top candidates are given awards such as Senior or Junior Mods Honours. There are also prizes awarded to those who show excellence in specific subjects. However, these awards are not really tough but they still contribute to making All Souls Mathematical Tripos one of the most challenging exams in the world.
#5 LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)
Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is a 3-hour, 25-question computer-based test which is used by UK universities as part of their selection process for entry onto law degree courses. It was first introduced in 2001.
To pass you must score at least 153 out of 225 on each paper. The LNAT is considered to be one of the toughest university entrance exams in England, and candidates have often reported sleepless nights before it because it is so hard.
It has become known as The exam from hell or The hardest exam in Britain. More than 200,000 candidates apply for only around 6500 places per year at UK law schools, so it pays to study hard and get good grades at school or college.
#6 Mensa Admission Test
Mensa is an international organization open to anyone who scores at or above the 98th percentile on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. To join Mensa, you must first take a legitimate, standardized IQ test and score in the top 2 percent of test-takers or higher.
Then, you’ll need to provide two references and fill out an application that includes questions about your personal background. Members are required to pay yearly dues which vary based on local chapters’ fees; however, some groups offer reduced membership rates for students.
The Mensa admission test is really only offered twice each year — in April and October — so plan ahead if you’re hoping to get tested by one of these dates!
#7 SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test, or simply SAT and commonly known as the Reasoning Test, is a standardized test administered by The College Board that was first administered in 1926. It has been revised and expanded several times, with a major overhaul in 2016.
This test is designed to assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning skills, and mathematics problem-solving ability intended to assess college readiness.
The amount of time needed to complete each section depends on which section you are taking; you have 75 minutes for Reading and Writing/Language, 80 minutes for Math (no calculator), 65 minutes for Math (calculator permitted), 25 minutes for Experimental (allows the use of calculator), and 10–25 minutes for Writing/Language with choice of the essay prompt.
#8 The Cooper Test
A three-mile run? How about 100 squats? Those are just two of many obstacles on The Cooper Test, a workout created by fitness pioneer/Marine Colonel Paul Bear Cooper.
The six events on his exam include 1) Two minutes of push-ups; 2) Two minutes of sit-ups; 3) A timed mile run, with a suggested pace of military time (i.e., 7 minutes per mile); 4) Five pull-ups; 5) 100 regular squats, and 6) A final 300-yard shuttle run. In 1953, Dr.
#9 IQ Test for Adults (Simon & Schuster)
Taking an IQ test for adults is one of several ways you can measure your intelligence. It will help you see if your smarts are average, above average, or truly exceptional. However, some people who take IQ tests score lower than they had expected and wonder why. The culprit is often anxiety.
An IQ test for adults is an assessment that consists of logic puzzles, abstract reasoning problems, and visual puzzles—all of which are highly challenging in their own right. Though these exams are meant to be fun, even entertaining, some people get so stressed out by a tough exam they forget how to have fun and perform at their best levels.
In other words: what we think we know about how smart we are may not be all that accurate!
#10 Indian Civil Service Examination
This exam is organized by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) of India. UPSC is responsible for the selection and induction of officers into civil services in the government of India including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), etc.
The candidates need to apply through offline mode only. This exam was first organized in 1871, but it still continues as one of the toughest exams in the world, which takes place three times a year i.e., January, April, and September.
#11 CA (Chartered Accountant)
CA (chartered accountants) are Certified Public Accountants. In India, it is also known as ‘The Fellow of Chartered Accountants’ or FCA.
This examination is conducted by the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). The candidates have to clear 4 levels in which exams are held at the national level, state level, group 1 and 2 levels respectively. world toughest exam
#12 California Bar Exam
The California Bar Exam is a grueling multi-day exam that consists of 10 full-length essays and an additional six-hour performance test. Studying for it can easily take up to 20 hours per week, making it one of America’s toughest exams.
As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a two-year waiting period before you can take it again, so failing once really means failing forever. Yikes! It’s no wonder that only 40% of people pass on their first try—and less than 75% pass within three tries. So why would anyone put themselves through such an experience?
#13 IES (Indian Engineering Services)
IES is an examination conducted by UPSC for the selection of officers for engineering services in the Government of India. The Engineering Services Examination is considered to be one of the toughest competitive exams in India, mainly due to its high failure rate.
It is held once a year and consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude Test) and Paper II (Professional ability test). The total marks allotted for both exams are 200 each, making a total of 400.
Each exam has equal weightage. However, general studies contribute only 35% while engineering aptitude contributes 65%. Moreover, there is negative markings throughout all questions; every wrong answer carries a -1 mark.
#14 GRE Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
With a few exceptions, most university faculties require applicants to take one GRE Subject Test. Most commonly it is chosen from among Biology (Psychology); Chemistry; Computer Science (Mathematics); History (Literature) or Psychology.
So, if you are applying to a business or computer science program, for example, it would make sense for you to take Mathematics as your subject test. Some schools also accept a non-GRE exam in lieu of or alongside your GRE score.
If you have your heart set on an Ivy League school that requires you to sit for the GRE and don’t have time to prepare for it—or have taken it already but feel that your score doesn’t accurately reflect how well you might do—consider taking any one of these exams instead.
#15 China Post
China Post has announced a five-level postal examination system for its employees. The new system came into effect on Sunday, replacing an old six-level grading scale.
According to a circular released by China Post’s Management Committee on Saturday, postmen at or above grade level 3 can take Levels A and B, while those below Grade 3 can only sit for Level C and D exams.
Officials in Grades 4 and above are not allowed to take any of these exams; they must be promoted based on their work performance, according to China Post. All candidates have six months after successfully passing each exam to meet the requirements before they will be awarded the next rank.
#16 Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam
Life-and-death, Hell, and Ultimate challenge are some of the words that people call the Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam. A pass rate of less than 1% and over 90% failure rate makes it one of the world’s toughest exams in 2023.
Candidates have to run 8 km (5 miles) inside a tunnel under construction on hilly terrain with frequent twists and turn for over an hour through cold air at an altitude of 2200 meters (7500 feet).
Once candidates have entered Guoliang Mountain village, there is no chance to escape until they complete Guoliang Tunnel Entrance Exam or give up. world toughest exam
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World 2023
- Gaokao.
- IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination)
- UPSC (Union Public Services Commission)
- Mensa.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, India)