The Most Difficult Licensure Exam in the Philippines, Ranked

Choose the licensure exam you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:25
Choosing a career path is a major decision and understanding the challenges involved in qualifying for certain professions is crucial. Knowing which licensure exams are considered most difficult can help aspiring professionals prepare adequately and set realistic expectations. This insight is particularly valuable in the Philippines where the rigor of professional exams can vary widely across different fields. By participating in ranking these exams, you contribute to a broader knowledge base that assists future exam takers in making informed decisions. The rankings you see are continuously updated based on the votes of individuals like you, reflecting current opinions and experiences. This dynamic resource aims to provide an ongoing assessment of the difficulty levels of various professional tests.

What Is the Most Difficult Licensure Exam in the Philippines?

  1. 1
    71
    votes
    The medical board exam is considered the most difficult licensure exam in the Philippines because of its comprehensive coverage of various medical topics.
    The Physician Licensure Examination is a standardized exam in the Philippines that evaluates the knowledge, skills, and competency of medical graduates to practice medicine. It is designed to ensure that licensed physicians have met the minimum requirements set by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Medicine (BOM) in the country.
    • Validity: It is valid nationwide and required by law for medical graduates to take before being allowed to practice as physicians.
    • Frequency: It is held twice a year in March and September.
    • Subjects: The exam covers a wide range of medical subjects including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, legal medicine, and other relevant medical disciplines.
    • Format: The exam consists of two parts: a written component and a practical/clinical component. The written part includes multiple-choice questions, while the practical part assesses the examinee's ability to diagnose and manage patients.
    • Duration: The exam typically spans three to four days, with each day consisting of multiple sessions.
  2. 2
    18
    votes
    The bar exam is known for its rigorous and high standards, making it the most challenging exam for aspiring lawyers.
    The Bar Examination is the most difficult and prestigious professional licensure examination in the Philippines. It is a comprehensive test that evaluates the knowledge, skills, and competence of law graduates aspiring to become lawyers.
    • Scope: Covers various fields of law such as civil law, criminal law, commercial law, procedural law, and legal ethics.
    • Format: Consists of eight subjects, with essay-type questions and multiple-choice questions.
    • Duration: Conducted over a span of four Sundays (usually in November) and lasts for four days.
    • Passing rate: It has historically low passing rates, often around 20-30%.
    • Coverage: Includes both substantive and procedural laws, focusing on the Philippine legal system.
    Bar Examination in other rankings
  3. 3
    26
    votes
    The civil engineering board exam requires a solid understanding of complex engineering principles and the ability to apply them to real-world scenarios.
    The Civil Engineering Licensure Examination in the Philippines is a comprehensive exam designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and competencies of individuals aspiring to become licensed civil engineers. It is conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), an agency under the supervision of the Philippine Board of Civil Engineering.
    • Difficulty Level: High
    • Duration: 3 days (typically held twice a year)
    • Number of Subjects: 5 major subjects
    • Scope of Coverage: Includes various aspects of civil engineering such as surveying, construction, structural design, hydraulics, and transportation engineering.
    • Number of Items: Around 500-800 questions
  4. 4
    9
    votes
    The CPA board exam covers a wide range of accounting topics, including auditing, taxation, and financial accounting.
    The Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination is a rigorous licensure exam in the Philippines that evaluates the competency of individuals in the field of accountancy. It is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is considered as one of the most difficult licensure exams in the country.
    • Exam Duration: 5 days
    • Subjects Covered: Review of theoretical frameworks, financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, regulatory framework, audit, taxation, and practical accounting problems
    • Number of Subjects: 7
    • Number of Test Questions: around 450-500
    • Passing Rate: Varies for each exam, usually around 20-30%
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    The mechanical engineering board exam tests a candidate's knowledge of mechanical principles, including thermodynamics, mechanics, and fluid mechanics.
    The Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination is a professional licensure exam in the Philippines, specifically designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals aspiring to become licensed Mechanical Engineers. It is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through the Board of Mechanical Engineering.
    • Exam Type: Multiple-Choice Questions
    • Duration: 3 days
    • Coverage: Various fields of Mechanical Engineering, including Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, Power Plant Engineering, and more
    • Difficulty Level: Considered as one of the most difficult licensure exams in the Philippines
    • Number of Subjects: 8 core subjects
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    The electrical engineering board exam requires a thorough understanding of electrical and electronics principles, including circuit analysis, power systems, and control systems.
    The Electrical Engineering Licensure Examination in the Philippines is a professional licensure exam administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Electrical Engineering. It assesses the knowledge and competency of individuals aspiring to become licensed electrical engineers in the country.
    • Exam Frequency: Twice a year
    • Exam Duration: 3 days
    • Total Subjects: 10
    • Number of Questions: 100-150 per subject
    • Exam Coverage: Electrical Engineering topics including mathematics, electrical circuits, power systems, electronics, control systems, and more
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    The architecture board exam is known for its comprehensive coverage of design principles, construction management, and building codes.
    The Architect Licensure Examination is a comprehensive exam in the Philippines that assesses the competency of aspiring architects. It measures their knowledge, skills, and ability in various aspects of architecture.
    • Exam Frequency: Twice a year
    • Exam Duration: Three days
    • Subjects Covered: Architectural Design, Building Materials and Construction, Architectural History and Theory, Professional Practice, and Building Laws and Standards
    • Total Number of Items: An average of 500
    • Weighted Passing Grade: 70%
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    The chemical engineering board exam covers a wide range of topics, including thermodynamics, process control, and chemical kinetics.
    The Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination is a professional licensure exam in the Philippines that tests the knowledge, skills, and competence of individuals who aspire to become licensed chemical engineers. This comprehensive exam is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is recognized by the Board of Chemical Engineering.
    • Difficulty Level: High
    • Exam Type: Written (multiple-choice and descriptive)
    • Coverage: Various topics within chemical engineering discipline
    • Duration: 3 days (approximately 8 hours per day)
    • Passing Rate: Varies per exam, usually between 40-60%
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    The nursing board exam requires a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other medical subjects.
    The Nursing Licensure Examination is a standardized licensure examination in the Philippines that assesses the competencies of aspiring nurses. It is a comprehensive examination that tests both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to practice nursing in the country.
    • Exam Type: Written and Practical
    • Exam Frequency: Twice a year (June and December)
    • Exam Coverage: Various nursing subjects, including Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Obstetric Nursing, and more
    • Exam Duration: Two days
    • Total Number of Questions: 400 multiple-choice items
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    The geodetic engineering board exam requires a thorough understanding of surveying and geomatics principles, including cartography, geodesy, and photogrammetry.
    The Geodetic Engineering Licensure Examination is a professional licensure examination in the Philippines that aims to assess the competence of individuals in the field of geodetic engineering. It measures the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice the profession responsibly and ethically.
    • Exam Type: Written Exam
    • Exam Duration: 3 days
    • Coverage: Various areas of Geodetic Engineering, such as geodesy, surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information system, and related disciplines
    • Difficulty Level: Extremely Difficult
    • Passing Rate: Varies per exam, but typically low

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult licensure exam

  1. Number of examinees
    The number of individuals taking the exam can also be a factor to consider. Exams with fewer examinees can sometimes be more competitive, which can impact the overall difficulty of the exam.
  2. Course coverage and complexity
    The topics covered by the exam, as well as the depth and complexity of the subject matter, should be taken into account. Exams that require extensive knowledge and understanding of the subject matter are likely to be more difficult.
  3. Preparation time and effort
    The amount of time and effort required to prepare for the exam can be an indicator of its difficulty. Exams with more extensive and complex subject matter generally require more preparation time and effort, thus making them more difficult.
  4. Exam format and duration
    The format of the exam, including the types of questions asked and the time allowed for the exam, can impact the difficulty of the exam. Exams with more complex question formats and shorter time limits can be more challenging for examinees.
  5. Pass mark or cut-off score
    The minimum score required to pass the exam can also be a factor to consider. Exams with higher passing marks or cut-off scores are generally considered more difficult.
  6. External factors
    Factors such as changes in the education system, updates in the test material, and evolving industry needs can also affect the difficulty of licensure exams.
  7. Historical performance
    The historical performance of the examinees on the licensure exam can provide insight into the overall difficulty of the exam. If the exam has consistently had low passing rates over the years, it may be considered difficult.
  8. Reputation and perception
    The reputation and perception of the licensure exam within the industry and among examinees can also provide insight into the difficulty level of the exam. Exams with a reputation for being difficult can also deter potential test-takers, which may be an indicator of the exam's difficulty level.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult licensure 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 license exam is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2799 views
  • 176 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

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More information on most difficult licensure exam in the philippines

The Philippines is known for having rigorous licensure exams for various professions, ranging from engineering to medicine. These exams are designed to ensure that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice their respective professions. Among these exams, some are known to be particularly challenging, requiring extensive preparation and knowledge in their respective fields. In this article, we will explore the most difficult licensure exam in the Philippines and delve into the reasons why it is considered as such.

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