The Most Difficult Exam, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the exam you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 23, 2024 06:37

Step right up and dive into the world of intellectual challenges with StrawPoll's ultimate ranking of "What is the most difficult exam?" Ever wondered how different exams stack up against each other in terms of difficulty? Here's your chance to find out! With thousands of people voting and sharing their thoughts, this ranking is your go-to source for discovering the toughest exams that push the limits of human knowledge and perseverance. From notorious professional exams to fearsome academic tests, we've got them all covered. So, what are you waiting for? Jump into the fray, vote for your favorite, suggest a missing option, and join the conversation to see if your choice makes it to the top of our rigorous ranking! Stay tuned as we uncover the most daunting exams that truly separate the greats from the rest!

What Is the Most Difficult Exam?

1

35
votes
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam

CFA Institute

The CFA exam is notoriously difficult, with a pass rate of less than 50%. It covers a range of topics in finance, including ethics, economics, and investment analysis.
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam is a globally recognized and highly prestigious professional designation for investment professionals. It is administered by the CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals.

Level Structure: Three levels: Level I, Level II, and Level III

Exam Format: Multiple-choice questions and constructed response (essay) questions

Topics Covered: Ethical and professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, portfolio management, and wealth planning

Exam Duration: Each level is a one-day exam, conducted once a year

Pass Rate: Historically low pass rates, typically ranging between 40% and 50%
2

39
votes
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

The USMLE is a three-part exam that medical students and graduates must pass to become licensed physicians in the US. It is known for its rigour and difficulty, with many students taking months or even years to prepare.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. It assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills that are essential in health and disease.

Step 1: Focuses on basic science principles and medical knowledge

Step 2: Consists of two components - Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS), which test clinical knowledge and skills, respectively

Step 3: Evaluates whether a physician can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science

Computer-based: All three steps of the exam are computer-based

Multiple-choice questions: Questions in the exam are primarily multiple-choice, with some questions requiring the selection of multiple correct answers
3

28
votes
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE is a standardized test required for admission to many graduate schools in the US. It tests students' abilities in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is widely used for admissions to graduate schools and business schools in the United States and other English-speaking countries. It measures various skills such as analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning.

Sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning

Test Format: Computer-based or paper-based

Scoring: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections scored from 130 to 170 in 1-point increments, Analytical Writing section scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments

Duration: 3 hours and 45 minutes

Test Frequency: Available year-round, with flexible test dates
4

22
votes
The Bar Exam

The Bar Exam is a test that lawyers must pass to practice law in the US. It varies by state, but typically covers a range of legal topics, including contracts, torts, and criminal law.
The Bar Exam is a professional examination that aspiring lawyers must complete in order to be licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction. It is considered one of the most difficult exams due to its comprehensive coverage of legal knowledge and skills.

Format: A standardized exam combining multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and performance-based tasks.

Content: Covers a wide range of legal subjects, including criminal law, civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, evidence, and more.

Duration: Typically spans two or three days, with each session lasting several hours.

Passing Score: Requires meeting a minimum passing score determined by the bar association.

Grading: Essay and performance-based responses are typically manually graded by experienced lawyers.
5

21
votes
The All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT)

The AIPMT is a medical entrance exam in India that is known for its difficulty. It covers topics such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and has a low pass rate.
The All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) was an annual medical entrance examination in India. It was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) until 2016. The exam aimed to select candidates for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in various government and private medical colleges across India.

Exam Type: National level entrance examination

Frequency: Annual

Duration: 3 hours

Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology)

Total Marks: 720
6

13
votes
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

The GMAT is a standardized test required for admission to many business schools in the US. It tests students' abilities in quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized exam designed to assess the aptitude of individuals seeking admission to graduate management programs, such as MBA programs. The test measures various skills including analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. It is widely recognized as one of the most challenging exams for business education admissions.

Sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning

Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Scoring: A total score ranging from 200 to 800, with separate scores for each section

Validity: 5 years

Computer Adaptive Test: The difficulty level of questions adapts based on the test taker's performance
7

7
votes
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

The NCLEX is a test that nurses must pass to become licensed in the US. It tests their knowledge of nursing practices and procedures, and has a low pass rate.
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized exam that is taken by nursing graduates to become licensed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in the United States and Canada.

Exam type: Computer-based

Sections: Two sections - NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and NCLEX-PN for practical nurses

Question format: Multiple-choice questions with some alternate format questions

Test length: Variable length, ranging from 75 to 145 questions

Time limit: Six hours maximum
8

8
votes
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam

The CPA exam is a test that accountants must pass to become licensed in the US. It covers topics such as financial accounting, auditing, and regulation.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam is a comprehensive professional examination for individuals aspiring to become certified public accountants. It assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful practice in the accounting profession.

Duration: The exam is divided into four sections, and candidates are given a maximum of 4 hours to complete each section.

Content: The exam covers various areas including auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation.

Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks.

Scoring: Each section is scored on a scale of 0-99, with a minimum passing score of 75.

Exam Frequency: The exam is offered during specific testing windows throughout the year.
9

11
votes
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

The GATE is an entrance exam for engineering and science programs in India. It covers a range of topics in engineering, including mathematics, computer science, and electronics.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national level examination conducted in India to assess the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in the fields of engineering and technology.

Total Marks: 100

Number of Questions: 65 questions

Subjects: 23 disciplines of engineering and science

Exam Mode: Online (Computer-based test)

Duration: 3 hours
10

7
votes
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)

The JEE is an entrance exam for engineering programs in India. It is known for its difficulty and has a low pass rate. It covers topics such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is an engineering entrance examination conducted in India. It is one of the most difficult and highly competitive exams in the country. The purpose of JEE is to evaluate the knowledge and understanding of candidates seeking admission to undergraduate engineering programs at prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other renowned engineering colleges across India.

Mode of examination: Computer-based (JEE Main) and Offline (JEE Advanced)

Number of papers: Two (JEE Main) and Two (JEE Advanced)

Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Difficulty level: High

Question types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult exam

Subject matter complexity

The exam should cover difficult and complex topics that require advanced understanding and problem-solving skills.
Depth and breadth of knowledge required

The exam should assess a wide range of subjects, topics, and concepts, requiring candidates to have a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum.
Skill level demanded

A challenging exam should test higher-order cognitive skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, rather than just basic understanding and memory recall.
Time constraint

The amount of time allotted to complete the exam plays a role in its difficulty level. Limited time can increase stress and make it more challenging for candidates to complete the exam.
Question format and structure

The difficulty of an exam can vary depending on the question types (e.g., multiple-choice, short answer, essay) and structure (e.g., number of questions, weighting of sections). Some formats may be more challenging for candidates, depending on their strengths and weaknesses.
Scoring and grading scale

A difficult exam should have a rigorous scoring and grading system that accurately differentiates between different levels of competence and mastery.
Pass rate and average scores

The percentage of candidates who successfully pass the exam and the average scores achieved can be indicators of the exam's difficulty level.
Preparation required

The amount of preparation time, resources, and support needed to effectively prepare for the exam can impact its difficulty.
Impact on career or academic progression

The stakes of the exam, including its influence on a candidate's future career or academic opportunities, can contribute to the perceived difficulty.
Familiarity with exam format and expectations

The degree to which the exam is consistent with candidates' previous testing experiences and their familiarity with the format, language, and expectations of the exam can impact the difficulty level.
Changing or evolving content

An exam may be considered more difficult if the content changes frequently or requires candidates to stay up-to-date with recent developments in their field.

About this ranking

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

Statistics

2057 views
192 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam
The United States Medical Licensing Examination
The Graduate Management Admission Test
The Joint Entrance Examination

Voting Rules

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

More information on most difficult exam

Background Information on "What is the most difficult exam?" Exams are an inevitable part of any academic journey. They are designed to test the knowledge, understanding, and application of the concepts taught during a particular course or program. While some exams are relatively easy to crack, others are notoriously difficult, requiring months and sometimes years of preparation. So, what is the most difficult exam? The answer to this question is subjective and varies depending on the individual's perspective, background, and field of study. However, some exams have a reputation for being extremely challenging, even for the brightest of students. One such exam is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a three-part test that assesses the competency of medical students and graduates in the US. Another notoriously difficult exam is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, which tests the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the financial industry. Other exams that have gained a reputation for being challenging include the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. It's worth noting that the difficulty of an exam is often subjective and depends on various factors, including the individual's educational background, experience, and preparation. However, one thing is certain – cracking a difficult exam requires dedication, perseverance, and a lot of hard work.