The Most Difficult Exam to Pass, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the exam you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 06:38
Across various fields, from academia to professional sectors, exams serve as critical milestones in a person's career. The difficulty of these assessments can drastically differ, making some notorious for their rigorous standards and low pass rates. Identifying which exam stands as the most challenging can help current and future test-takers prepare more effectively.
By participating in voting on these exams, users provide insights based on personal experiences or popular opinions, helping to form a consensus on which exams are the toughest. This dynamic ranking not only aids in academic and career planning but also fosters a community of informed individuals who can share strategies for conquering these daunting tests.
What Is the Most Difficult Exam to Pass?
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176votesThis exam is considered the most difficult in the culinary world, and only 66 chefs have passed it since its inception in 1981. The exam consists of an eight-day cooking and written test and is designed to test the skills of the most experienced chefs.The Certified Master Chef Exam is an internationally renowned culinary examination that measures the highest level of expertise in the culinary arts. It is considered one of the most difficult exams to pass in the culinary world, requiring exceptional skills, creativity, and knowledge in various aspects of cooking and composing dishes.
- Duration: Multiple days (typically 8 days)
- Focus Areas: Culinary techniques, creativity, leadership, plating, and presentation
- Practical Tests: Candidates must complete a series of challenging practical exams that involve preparing complex dishes within a limited time frame
- Theoretical Knowledge: Candidates are tested on their knowledge of culinary history, ingredients, flavor profiles, food safety, nutrition, and international cuisine
- Palate: Candidates must possess an exceptional palate and demonstrate the ability to identify and balance flavors accurately
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218votes
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam
CFA InstituteThe CFA exam is a three-level exam that tests a candidate's knowledge of finance and investment management. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for finance professionals, with a pass rate of only 40%.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 board exam
- Position 4 of 10 in Most difficult professional examination
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325votes
All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
All Souls CollegeThis exam is a four-day written exam that tests candidates' knowledge of various subjects, including history, economics, philosophy, and political science. It is considered one of the most challenging exams in the world, with a pass rate of only 1%.The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is a highly renowned and challenging examination administered by the All Souls College at the University of Oxford. It is considered one of the most difficult exams to pass in the world, known for its rigorous evaluation of candidates intellectually, analytically, and creatively.- Duration: Several days
- Frequency: Held once every few years
- Content: Essay-based questions covering a wide range of subjects
- Open to: Graduates from any academic discipline
- Candidates per year: Approximately 500
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411votesThe USMLE is a three-part exam that tests medical students' knowledge and skills. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for medical students, with a pass rate of only 60-80%.The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) is a three-step examination process conducted to assess the knowledge and skills of medical professionals seeking a license to practice medicine in the United States.
- Step 1: Tests basic science knowledge and is usually taken after the second year of medical school.
- Step 2: Comprises two components: Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS). CK assesses diagnosis and disease management, while CS assesses essential clinical skills.
- Step 3: Focuses on patient management and assesses a physician's ability to apply medical knowledge in an unsupervised clinical setting.
- Duration: Step 1: 8 hours, Step 2 CK: 9 hours, Step 2 CS: 8 hours, Step 3: 2 days.
- Passing Score: Varies by step and is subject to change.
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522votesThe bar exam is a two-day exam that tests a candidate's knowledge of the law. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for aspiring lawyers, with a pass rate of only 60-80%.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- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult professional examination
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult board exam in the Philippines
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615votesThe GRE is a standardized test that assesses a student's readiness for graduate-level academic work. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for graduate school applicants, with a pass rate of only 50-60%.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 5 of 10 in Most difficult board exam
- Position 8 of 10 in Most difficult test in Pakistan
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79votesThe CPA exam is a four-part exam that tests a candidate's knowledge of accounting and business. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for accounting professionals, with a pass rate of only 50%.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 3 of 10 in Most difficult board exam
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810votesThe MCSE exam is a series of exams that tests a candidate's knowledge of Microsoft operating systems and network infrastructure. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for IT professionals, with a pass rate of only 40-50%.The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Exam is a certification exam designed to assess the skills and knowledge required to design, implement, and manage Windows server environments.
- Exam Difficulty Level: High
- Exam Duration: Varies per exam, typically between 2-4 hours
- Number of Exams: Multiple exams required for complete certification
- Exam Format: Multiple-choice, scenario-based questions
- Passing Score: Varies per exam, typically around 700/1000
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912votesThe NBDE is a two-part exam that tests a candidate's knowledge of dentistry. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for dental students, with a pass rate of only 70-75%.The National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) is a comprehensive and challenging examination that assesses the knowledge and skills of dental students and professionals in the United States. It is designed to ensure that individuals seeking licensure to practice dentistry have the necessary competencies to provide safe and effective dental care.
- Two parts: The NBDE consists of two parts: Part I and Part II.
- Part I: Part I assesses the basic biomedical sciences and dental anatomy and provides a foundation for clinical decision-making.
- Part II: Part II evaluates clinical dental knowledge and skills, including patient management, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
- Testing format: Both parts of the exam are computer-based and consist of multiple-choice questions.
- Passing score: A specific passing score is required for each part of the exam.
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109votesThe IELTS exam is a standardized test that assesses a candidate's English language proficiency. It is considered one of the most challenging exams for non-native English speakers, with a pass rate of only 60-70%.The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized English language proficiency test.
- Purpose: To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers.
- Accepted worldwide: Recognized by over 10,000 organizations in more than 140 countries.
- Test formats: Available in two formats – Academic and General Training.
- Listening Module: Assesses the ability to understand spoken English.
- Reading Module: Tests comprehension skills through various texts.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult test in Pakistan
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Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult exam
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Subject matterThe complexity and breadth of the subject matter covered in the exam also play a significant role in determining its difficulty. Some exams might require extensive knowledge in a specific field, while others might test candidates across a wide range of subjects.
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Exam formatThe structure of the exam, such as the number of questions, the type of questions (multiple-choice, essay, short-answer, etc.), and the time allotted for completion, can also impact its difficulty. Longer exams or those with more complex or varied question formats might be more difficult to pass.
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Preparation time and resourcesThe amount of time and effort required to adequately prepare for the exam is another important factor. This could include the need to study a large volume of material, attend classes or workshops, or invest in costly study materials.
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PrerequisitesSome exams might have prerequisites, such as prior education or certification, which can increase the overall difficulty of passing the exam. This may require candidates to invest additional time and effort in meeting these requirements before even attempting the exam.
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Pressure and stakesThe consequences of not passing the exam can also contribute to its difficulty. For example, exams required for professional licensure, certification, or academic advancement may have a higher degree of pressure and stress associated with them.
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Scaling and normalizationSome exams apply scaling or normalization techniques to adjust the scores of candidates, which could make the exam appear more or less difficult depending on the performance of the overall candidate pool.
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Experience and familiarityPersonal factors, like prior experience or familiarity with similar exams or subject matters, could also impact the perceived difficulty of an exam.
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Language and cultural factorsFor candidates taking exams in a language other than their mother tongue or with unfamiliar cultural contexts, the exam might be more difficult to pass due to language barriers or cultural differences in understanding the subject matter.
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Psychometric propertiesThe validity and reliability of the exam as a measure of candidate performance can also play a role in its difficulty. High-quality exams with strong psychometric properties can more accurately differentiate candidate performance, making them more difficult for those who do not meet the standard.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult exam to pass. 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
- 2316 views
- 204 votes
- 10 ranked items
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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.
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More information on most difficult exam to pass
The pursuit of knowledge and education is a lifelong endeavor, and for many, the path to success involves passing various exams. However, not all exams are created equal, and some are notoriously difficult to pass. From professional certifications to academic tests, the competition can be fierce, and the stakes can be high. Whether it's the grueling hours of studying or the intense pressure of the testing environment, those who have attempted these exams know that passing is no easy feat. In this article, we explore the most difficult exams to pass, and what makes them so challenging.
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