The Most Difficult Board Exam, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the board exam you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 6, 2024 06:23
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?
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169votesThe USMLE is a three-step exam for medical licensure in the United States, and it is known for its difficulty and high failure rates. It tests the knowledge and skills of medical students and graduates, and passing it is a requirement for practicing medicine in the US.The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. It assesses the ability of medical students and graduates to apply their knowledge, concepts, and principles in the clinical settings of patient care. The USMLE is a nationally recognized exam and is a requirement to obtain a license to practice medicine in the United States.
- Number of Steps: Three
- Step 1: Basic Science knowledge assessment
- Step 2: Clinical knowledge and skills assessment
- Step 3: Assessment of medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science as well as patient management
- Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice questions and clinical simulations
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218votes
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam
CFA InstituteThe CFA exam is a challenging test for finance professionals, and it is considered one of the most difficult exams in the industry. It consists of three levels, each with its own set of topics, and requires hundreds of hours of study time. Passing the exam is a requirement for becoming a CFA charterholder.The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam is a globally recognized certification exam for finance professionals. It tests the expertise and knowledge required for investment management and financial analysis. The exam is designed to assess skills in areas such as ethical and professional standards, investment tools, asset valuation, portfolio management, and wealth planning.- Level: Three levels (Level I, II, and III)
- Format: Multiple choice questions (Level I), item sets and constructed response (Level II), and item sets and constructed response combined with essay questions (Level III)
- Duration: 6 hours per level (in two 3-hour sessions)
- Passing Score: Varies by level, typically around 70%
- Exam Frequency: Once a year for all three levels (June for Level I, and June and December for Level II and III)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult exam to pass
- Position 4 of 10 in Most difficult professional examination
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324votesThe CPA exam is a four-part test that assesses the knowledge and skills of accounting professionals. It covers topics such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law, and it is known for its difficulty and low pass rates. Passing the exam is a requirement for obtaining a CPA license.The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam is a rigorous professional examination for individuals seeking to become licensed Certified Public Accountants. It assesses the knowledge and skills necessary to perform accounting and financial tasks accurately and ethically in a variety of professional settings.
- Duration: 16 hours in total (4 sections of 4 hours each)
- Sections: 1. Auditing & Attestation (AUD), 2. Business Environment & Concepts (BEC), 3. Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR), 4. Regulation (REG)
- Passing Score: 75 on a scale of 0-99 for each section
- Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks
- Exam Frequency: Offered in testing windows across the year (varies by state)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult professional examination
- Position 7 of 10 in Most difficult exam to pass
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416votesThe ARE is a seven-part exam that tests the knowledge and skills of aspiring architects. It covers topics such as site planning, building systems, and construction documents, and passing it is a requirement for becoming a licensed architect in the US. The exam is known for its difficulty and low pass rates.The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is a rigorous board exam that assesses the knowledge and skills required for architectural practice in the United States and Canada. It is designed to test the competency of individuals seeking architectural licensure. The exam is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
- Difficulty Level: Considered one of the most challenging board exams
- Number of Divisions: Consists of six divisions: Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, and Construction & Evaluation
- Format: Computer-based examination
- Exam Duration: Variable, with each division having a time limit
- Content Coverage: Includes topics like codes and regulations, building systems integration, construction documents, schematic design, site planning, and more
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58votesThe GRE is a standardized test that assesses the verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills of graduate school applicants. It is used by many universities in the US and other countries to evaluate applicants for their academic potential. The exam is known for its difficulty and high stakes, as it can impact admission decisions and scholarship opportunities.The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is required for admission into many graduate schools and business programs in the United States and other countries. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.
- Test Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning: Measures ability to analyze and evaluate written material, and to synthesize information obtained from it
- Quantitative Reasoning: Assesses basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary mathematical concepts
- Analytical Writing: Evaluates critical thinking and analytical writing skills
- Adaptive Test: Computer-based test that adapts difficulty based on previous responses
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult exam to pass
- Position 8 of 10 in Most difficult test in Pakistan
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611votesThe NCLEX is a two-part exam for nursing licensure in the US and Canada. It tests the knowledge and skills of nursing graduates and assesses their ability to provide safe and effective patient care. Passing the exam is a requirement for obtaining a nursing license and practicing as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. The exam is known for its difficulty and high stakes.The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized exam that is required for individuals who wish to become licensed nurses in the United States and Canada. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX assesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective nursing care.
- Purpose: To determine if a candidate has the knowledge and skills required to practice safely as an entry-level nurse.
- Format: Computerized adaptive test (CAT) with multiple-choice questions and some alternate format questions.
- Content: Covers various areas of nursing practice, including safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity.
- Time Limit: The exam has a variable time limit, with a maximum of six hours.
- Question Types: Multiple-choice questions, multiple-response questions, fill-in-the-blank calculations, ordered response questions, and hot spot questions.
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712votesThe LSAT is a standardized test for law school admission in the US and Canada. It assesses the reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning skills of applicants and is used by many law schools to evaluate candidates. The exam is known for its difficulty and high stakes, as it can impact admission decisions and scholarship opportunities.The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test that is designed to assess the logical and critical thinking skills of candidates applying to law schools in the United States, Canada, and some other countries. It aims to evaluate the reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning abilities of test-takers.
- Test Format: Multiple-choice questions and a writing sample.
- Sections: Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an unscored experimental section.
- Number of Questions: Approximately 99 to 102 questions.
- Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Scoring Scale: Scored on a scale ranging from 120 to 180, with the average score around 150.
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88votes
Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)
Medical Council of CanadaThe MCCQE is a two-part exam for medical licensure in Canada. It tests the knowledge and skills of medical graduates and assesses their ability to provide safe and effective patient care. Passing the exam is a requirement for obtaining a medical license and practicing as a physician in Canada. The exam is known for its difficulty and high stakes.The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) is a comprehensive and challenging board examination that assesses the knowledge and skills of medical graduates in Canada. It is designed to ensure that candidates possess the necessary competencies to practice medicine independently and safely in Canada.- Format: Two-part examination (Part 1 and Part 2)
- Part 1 Content: Multiple-choice questions covering various areas of medicine
- Part 2 Content: Clinical Decision Making component and a series of simulated patient encounters
- Duration: Part 1: One day, Part 2: Two days
- Passing Score: Varies depending on the scoring system in place
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913votesThe PE exam is a challenging test for engineering professionals, and it is required for obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license in the US. It covers topics such as engineering ethics, mathematics, and engineering principles, and it is known for its difficulty and low pass rates. Passing the exam is a requirement for practicing as a licensed engineer in the US.The Professional Engineering Exam (PE) is a licensure examination for engineers conducted in several countries, including the United States. It is considered one of the most difficult board exams for engineering professionals.
- Exam Duration: 8 hours
- Disciplines: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Chemical, and others
- Number of Modules: Depends on the specific discipline, usually 2 or 3
- Exam Format: Multiple-choice questions and essay-type problems
- Passing Score: Varies by discipline and state, typically around 70%
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101votesThe CISSP exam is a challenging test for information security professionals, and it is considered one of the most difficult exams in the industry. It covers topics such as security and risk management, asset security, and software development security, and passing it is a requirement for becoming a CISSP certified professional.The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Exam is a globally recognized board exam that validates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing cybersecurity programs. It assesses one's ability to effectively protect organizations against various security threats and risks.
- Exam Format: Multiple-choice
- Duration: Up to 6 hours
- Number of Questions: 250
- Passing Score: 700 out of 1000
- Domains: 8
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Exam in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult professional examination
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Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult board exam
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Passing rateThe percentage of candidates who pass the exam is a key indicator of its difficulty. A lower passing rate generally indicates a more challenging exam.
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Number of topics coveredExams that cover a wide range of subjects or topics can be more challenging. Candidates are required to have a deeper understanding of various concepts and have a broader knowledge base to pass these exams.
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Depth of knowledge requiredSome exams require candidates to have high levels of expertise in specific subjects or disciplines, making them more difficult. The level of detail and precision needed to answer questions correctly can be a major factor in determining the difficulty of an exam.
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Time constraintThe time allotted for an exam and the number of questions can impact the difficulty. Exams with a large number of questions in a limited time frame may be more challenging due to the added pressure of time constraints.
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Question complexityThe complexity of the questions asked in the exam, as well as the format of the questions (multiple choice, essay, calculation, etc.), can affect the difficulty. Exams that include complex questions or problems that require critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and advanced knowledge are generally more difficult.
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Preparation material availabilityThe availability of study materials and resources for a specific exam can affect the difficulty. Exams with limited or difficult-to-understand resources may be more challenging for candidates to prepare for and pass.
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Exam prerequisitesThe requirements to be eligible to take a specific exam can also determine its difficulty. Exams with strict prerequisites, such as high levels of education or experience, may be more challenging due to a higher baseline of knowledge and expertise expected of candidates.
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Changes in exam contentAny frequent changes to the exam content, structure, or scoring can make the exam more difficult for candidates to prepare for and pass.
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Grading scaleThe standards and scoring system for passing an exam can impact its difficulty. Exams with a more stringent grading scale or a required minimum score for passing are generally considered more difficult.
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Reputation and perceptionThe reputation of an exam within an industry or community can also contribute to its perceived difficulty. Exams that are widely regarded as challenging or high-stakes are likely to be more difficult for candidates to approach with confidence.
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
- 3016 views
- 168 votes
- 10 ranked items
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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.
More information on most difficult board exam
Board exams are a crucial part of the educational system, and passing them is necessary for students to move on to the next level of education or career. However, some board exams are notoriously difficult, and the pressure to perform can be overwhelming. These exams test a student's knowledge in a specific subject area and are designed to be rigorous and challenging. The most difficult board exams are often those that require a mastery of complex concepts and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Students facing these exams must prepare diligently and stay focused to achieve success. So, which board exam is the most difficult? Let's take a closer look at some of the most challenging board exams and what makes them so tough to crack.
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