The Most Difficult Board Exam, Ranked

Choose the board exam you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 31, 2024 06:29
Determining the difficulty of board exams is a subjective experience varying significantly from one individual to another. Factors like personal strengths in certain subjects, preparation levels, and test-taking skills can all influence one's perception of an exam's difficulty. By aggregating opinions, a clearer picture of the exams' rigor across a broad audience can be formed, guiding both current and prospective exam takers. This interactive tool allows users to cast their votes on which board exams they believe are the most challenging. Each vote helps construct a live ranking that reflects the collective experiences and opinions of peers. This feedback can be invaluable for future test takers setting their study priorities and for educators who aim to better prepare their students for these critical assessments.

What Is the Most Difficult Board Exam?

  1. 1
    18
    votes

    Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam

    The CFA Program is a series of three exams designed to test the competence and integrity of financial analysts.
    • Pass Rate: Around 42% for Level I in recent years
    • Exam Duration: Levels I, II, and III, each taken a year apart
  2. 2
    0
    votes

    Master Sommelier Diploma Exam

    The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is a highly challenging test of wine knowledge, tasting skills, and service abilities.
    • Pass Rate: Less than 10%
    • Exam Components: Theory, Service, and Tasting
  3. 3
    0
    votes

    FRM Exam (Financial Risk Manager)

    The FRM Exam is a global certification for financial risk professionals, covering market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and risk management in investments.
    • Pass Rate: Around 40-50% for Part I
    • Exam Duration: Part I and Part II, each taken at different times
  4. 4
    0
    votes

    UPSC Civil Services Exam (India)

    The UPSC Civil Services Exam is considered one of the toughest exams in India, aimed at recruiting for various civil services of the government.
    • Pass Rate: Approximately 0.1% to 0.3%
    • Exam Duration: Prelims, Mains, and Interview spread over a year
  5. 5
    0
    votes

    USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

    The USMLE is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States, known for its difficulty and comprehensive coverage of medicine.
    • Pass Rate: Varies by step, generally around 94% for Step 1
    • Exam Duration: Three Steps, taken over multiple years
  6. 6
    0
    votes

    Gaokao (China)

    The Gaokao is a mandatory exam in China that determines the entrance to higher education institutions. It is known for its high pressure and difficulty.
    • Participants: Over 10 million annually
    • Exam Duration: 2 days
  7. 7
    0
    votes

    JEE Advanced (India)

    The Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced is an engineering entrance examination in India. It is known for its difficulty level and is the pathway for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology.
    • Pass Rate: Less than 1% of the starters
    • Exam Duration: Two papers, each of 3 hours, conducted on the same day
  8. 8
    0
    votes

    CPA Exam (United States)

    The CPA Exam is a comprehensive test for accounting professionals in the United States, known for its rigorous standards and broad coverage of accounting practices.
    • Pass Rate: Around 45-55% for each section
    • Exam Duration: 4 sections, each up to 4 hours
  9. 9
    0
    votes

    California Bar Exam

    The California Bar Exam is known for being one of the most challenging bar exams in the United States, with a wide breadth of law topics covered.
    • Pass Rate: Around 40-60% in recent years
    • Exam Duration: 2 days
  10. 10
    0
    votes

    Mensa IQ Test

    Mensa is a high IQ society, and its admission test is widely considered one of the most challenging IQ tests.
    • Qualification: Top 2% of the general population in IQ
    • Test Type: Various depending on the country

Missing your favorite board exam?

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult board exam. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or examination is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3319 views
  • 18 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each examination once every 24 hours. The rank of each examination is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Difficult Board Exam

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam
Rank #1 for the most difficult board exam: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam (Source)
Board exams challenge students worldwide. These exams often mark the end of a long academic journey. They test knowledge, skills, and readiness for professional life. Many students feel pressure as these exams can shape their future careers.

Preparation for these exams is intense. Students spend months, sometimes years, studying. They review course materials, attend extra classes, and take practice tests. The goal is to understand the subject deeply. Memorization alone is not enough. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are crucial.

The structure of these exams varies. Some have multiple-choice questions. Others include essays, case studies, or practical tasks. The format depends on the field of study. Each type of question tests different abilities. Multiple-choice questions assess recall and basic understanding. Essays and case studies evaluate analysis and application of knowledge.

These exams often cover a broad range of topics. Students must master all areas to succeed. This breadth makes the exams challenging. It requires a comprehensive study plan. Time management is also key. Students need to balance studying with rest and other activities. Burnout is a real risk.

Exams are usually timed. This adds another layer of difficulty. Students must work quickly and accurately. There is no room for hesitation. Practice under timed conditions can help. It builds speed and confidence.

Support systems are important. Family, friends, and mentors can provide encouragement. Study groups offer a way to share knowledge and resources. Some students hire tutors for extra help. Mental health is also a concern. Stress and anxiety are common. Techniques like meditation and exercise can help manage these feelings.

Success in these exams opens doors. It can lead to prestigious careers and higher salaries. It also brings a sense of accomplishment. Many students feel proud after passing. They know they have overcome a significant challenge.

Failure is not uncommon. These exams have high standards. Some students need multiple attempts to pass. This can be disheartening. However, persistence often pays off. Each attempt is a learning experience. Students can improve their weaknesses and try again.

In conclusion, board exams are a rigorous test of a student's abilities. They require thorough preparation, strong support systems, and effective stress management. Success can lead to rewarding careers, while failure offers lessons for future attempts.

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