The Most Difficult Board Exam in the Philippines, Ranked

Choose the board exam you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:23
In the pursuit of professional licenses, countless aspiring professionals across the Philippines face a variety of board exams, each presenting unique challenges. Understanding which exams are the most demanding can provide invaluable insights for students and educators alike, aiding in preparation and setting realistic expectations. This live ranking system invites individuals to cast their votes based on their experiences and observations, shedding light on the intensity and complexity of these exams. By participating, voters not only contribute to a broader knowledge base but also assist future exam takers in navigating their professional paths more effectively.

What Is the Most Difficult Board Exam in the Philippines?

  1. 1
    -17
    votes
    The Physician Licensure Examination is notoriously known to be the most difficult board exam in the Philippines, with an average passing rate of 20-30% only. The exam covers comprehensive medical knowledge, clinical theory, and practical applications.
    The Physician Licensure Exam is a professional board examination in the Philippines that determines the competency of graduates in the field of medicine. It assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice medicine safely and effectively as a licensed physician.
    • Exam Type: Written and Practical Exam
    • Exam Frequency: Twice a year
    • Exam Coverage: All major medical disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and preventive medicine
    • Exam Duration: Three days
    • Number of Exam Subjects: 10
  2. 2
    43
    votes
    The Bar Exam is a national examination for aspiring lawyers in the Philippines. It is known to be one of the toughest exams due to its complex questions that test a candidate's legal knowledge and analytical skills.
    The Bar Exam is the most difficult board exam in the Philippines. It is an examination administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in the country.
    • Exam Duration: The exam lasts for four Sundays spread over four weeks.
    • Subjects Covered: The exam covers eight subjects, including Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises.
    • Format: The exam consists of both multiple-choice and essay-type questions.
    • Passing Percentage: A candidate must obtain a general average of 75% or higher to pass the Bar Exam.
    • Historical Difficulty: The Bar Exam has historically been known for its low passing rates, making it one of the toughest exams in the country.
    Bar Exam in other rankings
  3. 3
    36
    votes
    The Civil Engineering Board Exam is a rigorous test of a candidate's knowledge of engineering principles, design, and construction. It is considered challenging because of its broad scope of topics and the high percentage of failing rates.
    The Civil Engineering Board Exam is a national examination in the Philippines that assesses the competency of individuals in the field of civil engineering. It is conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Civil Engineering.
    • Duration: 2 days
    • Exam Type: National licensure examination
    • Exam Coverage: Various topics in civil engineering, including structural analysis and design, construction management, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering.
    • Number of Subjects: 5
    • Exam Format: Multiple-choice questions and problem-solving questions
    Civil Engineering Board Exam in other rankings
  4. 4
    98
    votes
    The CPA Board Exam is a comprehensive test of a candidate's accounting knowledge and skills. It is known to be challenging due to its high level of difficulty, long hours of study, and low passing rate.
    The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam is a professional licensure examination in the Philippines that assesses the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to practice as a certified public accountant. This board exam is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in collaboration with the Board of Accountancy (BOA) under the supervision of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (PRBA). The exam is held twice a year in various locations across the country.
    • Difficulty Level: High
    • Duration: 5 days (with different subjects per day)
    • Coverage: Accounting Theory and Practice, Auditing Theory and Practice, Management Services, and Taxation
    • Total Subjects: 7
    • Total Items: around 1,500
  5. 5
    31
    votes
    The Architectural Board Exam is a challenging examination that measures a candidate's knowledge of architectural design, principles, and building codes. It is known for its complex and technical questions that require critical thinking and creativity.
    The Architectural Board Exam is a rigorous and comprehensive examination that assesses the knowledge and skills of individuals who wish to become licensed architects in the Philippines. It is one of the most difficult board exams in the country and requires thorough preparation and extensive study. The exam is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines.
    • Exam Coverage: Comprehensive examination covering various aspects of architecture including design, history, theory, construction techniques, building systems, and professional practice.
    • Format: Consists of written exams and practical design exercises.
    • Duration: Typically conducted over the course of multiple days.
    • Difficulty Level: Considered to be highly challenging, testing both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
    • Passing Rate: Historically, the passing rate for the Architectural Board Exam has been relatively low.
  6. 6
    18
    votes
    The Mechanical Engineering Board Exam is a challenging test that covers a wide range of topics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. It is considered difficult due to its broad scope and the high level of technical knowledge required.
    The Mechanical Engineering Board Exam is a licensure examination in the Philippines that assesses the competency of individuals in the field of mechanical engineering. It is designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice the profession.
    • Exam Type: Written examination with multiple-choice and problem-solving questions
    • Exam Duration: 3 days
    • Coverage: Various subjects including Mathematics, Engineering Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, Power Plant Engineering, Control Systems, and more
    • Difficulty Level: Challenging
    • Passing Rate: Varies per exam, but generally requires a high score
    Mechanical Engineering Board Exam in other rankings
  7. 7
    18
    votes
    The Electrical Engineering Board Exam is a comprehensive test that measures a candidate's knowledge of electrical principles, circuits, and systems. It is challenging due to its complex and technical questions that require a deep understanding of advanced mathematics and physics.
    The Electrical Engineering Board Exam is a professional licensure examination conducted in the Philippines. It is administered by the Board of Electrical Engineering under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). This exam assesses the knowledge, skills, and competency of individuals who aspire to become registered electrical engineers in the country. The exam covers various topics related to electrical engineering and ensures that candidates have a solid understanding of the principles, theories, and applications in the field.
    • Regulation Authority: Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
    • Date of Creation: 1970
    • Frequency of Exam: Twice a year
    • Exam Duration: 3 days
    • Number of Subjects: 5 subjects
  8. 8
    14
    votes
    The Chemical Engineering Board Exam is a challenging test that covers a broad range of topics, including chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and process design. It is known for its high level of difficulty and low passing rate.
    The Chemical Engineering Board Exam is a national licensure examination in the Philippines for aspiring chemical engineers. It is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is considered one of the most rigorous and challenging board exams in the country.
    • Duration: 3 days
    • Examination Coverage: Various topics within Chemical Engineering discipline
    • Difficulty Level: High
    • Number of Subjects: 9
    • Passing Grade: 75%
    Chemical Engineering Board Exam in other rankings
  9. 9
    15
    votes
    The Nursing Board Exam is a comprehensive test that measures a candidate's knowledge of nursing principles, practice, and patient care. It is considered challenging due to its broad scope and the high level of technical knowledge required.
    The Nursing Board Exam is a national licensure examination in the Philippines for aspiring nurses. It is a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills required to practice nursing safely and effectively.
    • Year Established: April 1936
    • Frequency: Twice a year (June and November)
    • Exam Coverage: Various nursing subjects, including medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, obstetric nursing, community health nursing, and more.
    • Number of Items: Around 500 multiple-choice questions
    • Exam Duration: Approximately 6 hours per day for 2-3 consecutive days
  10. 10
    -11
    votes
    The Teacher Licensure Exam is a challenging test that measures a candidate's knowledge of education principles, theories, and practices. It is known for its complex and technical questions and its high level of difficulty.
    The Teacher Licensure Exam in the Philippines is a board examination that evaluates the knowledge and competence of aspiring teachers in the country. It is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) under the supervision of the Board for Professional Teachers (BPT). This exam is a mandatory requirement for individuals who wish to pursue a career in teaching in the Philippines.
    • Full Name: Teacher Licensure Examination
    • Purpose: To assess the knowledge and skills of aspiring Filipino teachers
    • Levels: The exam consists of two levels: the General Education component and the Professional Education component.
    • Coverage: The exam covers a wide range of subjects, including English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and more specific topics related to teaching methods and principles.
    • Format: The exam is conducted in a multiple-choice format, with different variations for each section.

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult board exam

  1. Passing rate
    One of the primary factors to consider is the passing rate of the board exam. An exam with a low passing rate typically indicates a higher level of difficulty. Examining the passing rate trends across different years will give a better understanding of the general difficulty of the exam.
  2. Competitiveness
    Some board exams may be inherently more competitive due to the nature of the profession or the limited number of slots available for successful examinees. This competition can contribute to the perception of the exam's difficulty.
  3. Scope of the subject matter
    Another important factor is the extent and depth of the topics covered in the exam. A board exam with a broad scope that requires a comprehensive understanding of multiple subjects or fields can be considered more difficult.
  4. Test format
    The type, length, and complexity of exam questions also play a role in determining the difficulty of a board exam. Exams that have a larger number of complex and analytical questions are generally more challenging.
  5. Preparation time required
    The amount of time needed to sufficiently prepare for a board exam can also be an indicator of its difficulty. Exams that require more extensive study and preparation are often considered more difficult.
  6. Reputation and perception
    The general perception and reputation of a board exam in terms of its difficulty can also be taken into account. This may be influenced by factors such as the experiences of past examinees or the opinion of industry professionals and academics.
  7. The passing standards
    The standards set by the regulatory board or professional organization for passing the board exam can also make a difference. Some exams may have stricter standards or higher cut-off scores, which makes them more difficult to pass.
  8. Availability of resources and review materials
    The availability and quality of review materials, courses, and other resources to help prepare for the exam can also affect the overall difficulty of a board exam. Limited access to quality resources can make a board exam more challenging.
  9. Practical or oral exams
    Some board exams may require practical or oral examinations in addition to written tests. These components can make the overall exam more difficult, as they may require more time-intensive preparation or assessment of a broader range of skills.
  10. Frequency of exam
    Exams that are offered less frequently may have a higher perceived difficulty, as there are fewer opportunities to retake the exam for those who do not pass on their first attempt.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult board exam in the Philippines. 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

  • 11193 views
  • 170 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.

More information on most difficult board exam in the philippines

The Philippines is known for its highly competitive and rigorous education system. Aspiring professionals in various fields are required to undergo licensure examinations to practice their respective professions. Among these exams, board exams are considered the toughest and most challenging of all. The board exams cover a wide range of subjects and require extensive preparation and dedication to pass. With numerous fields like medicine, engineering, law, accountancy, and architecture, it's no surprise that Filipinos consider board exams as a significant milestone in their careers. In this article, we'll explore the most difficult board exam in the Philippines and what makes it so challenging.

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