Some exams are harder than others. 

Whether it’s because of the material or the way the questions are asked, some have proven to be particularly challenging for students. 

Here are the 20 most difficult exams in the world, according to students and professionals who have taken them.

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Most Difficult Exams In The World

There are many difficult exams in the world, but which ones are the hardest?

1. SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a college admission test that measures students’ aptitude in mathematics, critical reading, and writing.

 It is one of the most popular college entrance exams in the United States. 

Since its inception in 1926, the SAT has been used to select students for entry into both private and public colleges and universities in the United States. 

The test is offered year-round and has different versions for students at different levels of high school preparation. 

The SAT is divided into three sections: math, reading, and writing. 

Each section has two parts: a verbal section and a math section. The total score on the SAT is 1600 points. 

The top scorers on each section receive a maximum of 800 points each.

Scores below 600 are considered low scores and can impact a student’s chance of getting into their desired college.

2. MCAT: Medical College Admission Test

Many people take difficult exams to get into the best medical schools. 

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a difficult exam that most medical schools use to evaluate potential students.

The MCAT is a required test for many medical schools in the United States. 

MCAT is a required exam for medical school and provides information about a student’s ability to pursue a career in medicine.

The exam is divided into four sections: physics, chemistry, biology, and math.

Each section has 35 questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. 

Since the MCAT is such an important exam, many students spend years preparing for it. 

The best way to prepare is by taking practice tests and reviewing the material with a tutor. 

If you are unsure how well you will do on the test, speak with a doctor who can give you advice on what areas you need to focus on.

3. IELTS: International English Language Testing System

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized testing system for assessing the English language skills of students.

 It was first developed in the 1970s and has since been used by many universities and organizations around the world.

IELTS tests three areas of language ability: Reading, Writing, and Speaking. 

Each section has a range of questions that test different areas of language knowledge.

Scores are then combined to give an overall IELTS score.

There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General. 

The Academic exam is designed for students who want to study in a foreign country, while the General exam is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their English skills.

 Both exams have the same range of questions, but the Academic exam has more challenging questions.

4. LSAT: Law School Admission Test 

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is one of the most important tests a student can take to gain admission to a law school. 

The LSAT is designed to measure a student’s reasoning skills, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving abilities.

 In general, the higher the LSAT score, the greater the chance that the student will be admitted to a law school. 

However, several factors go into determining admission decisions and so not all students who score well on the LSAT will be admitted to every law school.

5. GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Council

The GMAT exam is one of the most popular standardized tests in the world. 

The test is given by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) to applicants who are applying to graduate business programs. 

The GMAT exam has four sections: verbal, quantitative, analytical writing, and critical reading.

In total, there are six questions per section. 

The verbal section consists of 35 questions and covers grammar, vocabulary, and understanding of written passages. 

The quantitative section has 30 questions and covers mathematical concepts such as fractions and decimals.

 The analytical writing section has 8 questions that require writing about a problem or topic that is drawn from business literature. 

The critical reading section has 12 questions that ask you to read various texts and answer questions about them.

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6. GRE: Graduate Record Examinations

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test administered to applicants for graduate school in the United States. 

The GRE is one of the most important admissions criteria for many graduate programs. 

The GRE was developed in Verbal Reasoning (VR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Analytical Writing (AW). 

Each section has 30 questions, and the total score on the three sections is 150 points.

Scores from each section are combined to give a total score on the GRE. 

There are 3 different ways to submit your GRE scores: Online, by Mail, or In Person. 

Scores sent electronically are usually treated as if they were sent by mail. 

Scores sent by mail may take up to 3 weeks to be processed after they have been submitted.

Scores taken in person will be processed within 2 hours of when they are submitted.

7. TOEFL

TOEFL exams are a common requirement for many universities in the United States.

The tests are offered in multiple languages and can be taken at a Pearson testing center or online. 

The TOEFL is a recognized international language exam and has been used to measure English language skills for over 40 years. 

The exam consists of 10 questions that test reading, listening, speaking, and writing abilities. 

Students who want to study or work in the United States typically need to score well on the TOEFL exams.

Scores range from 0-800 (the minimum score is 22). 

Certain colleges and universities may require higher scores, while others may only require a certain level of proficiency. 

Students should prepare for the TOEFL exams by taking practice tests and reviewing materials such as textbooks or online tutorials.

8. The CAT: Common Admission Test

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a global exam that admission offices in universities all over the world use to assess applicants’ potential.

The CAT is an internationally respected assessment that helps to identify talented students from all over the world and determines which universities they should apply to.

The CAT consists of three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and writing. 

Each section has a total of 120 questions and takes about two hours to complete.

The written section is the most challenging since it requires you to write an essay on a given topic.

The CAT is one of the most important tests you can take when applying to university.

 It not only assesses your academic ability but also gives you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses. 

By preparing for the CAT, you can increase your chances of getting into the university of your choice.

9. The University Of Cambridge’s Mathematical Tripos

The University of Cambridge’s Mathematical Tripos exams is a highly respected academic qualification. 

The exams are made up of three papers, each worth a maximum of 30 marks. 

Candidates must achieve a grade of A, B, or C to proceed to the next stage of their undergraduate studies.

The Tripos was first introduced in 1879 and is now one of the most prestigious undergraduate qualifications in the world.

10. The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT):

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is a three-day exam given to applicants for U.S. diplomatic and consular positions, including but not limited to, career overseas officers and certain political appointees. 

The FSOT is administered by the Department of State in Washington, D.C., multiple times each year. 

The test consists of written and oral components that must be completed to apply for a position in the U.S. foreign service. 

The FSOT tests an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. foreign policy, history, government institutions, culture, and language skills. 

In addition, applicants must demonstrate an ability to think critically and work independently under pressure while maintaining professional standards.

11. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) 

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is a globally recognized certification for Cisco experts. 

This certification is based on the CCNA Routing and Switching exam, which is one of the most popular and well-respected networking exams in the world. 

To become a CCIE, you need to pass the CCNA Routing and Switching exam with a score of at least 650 out of 1000 points. 

This means that you have mastery of all aspects of routing and switching in an internetworking environment. 

CCIE certification also requires a can-do attitude, as well as experience working in network environments.

12. Mensa

Mensa is a society of high-IQ individuals.

It was founded in 1936, and currently has over 170,000 members in the United States and Canada. 

To join Mensa, you must have an IQ score of 130 or higher. Membership is not based on social class or occupation, but purely on intelligence. 

There are no tests or interviews required to join Mensa, and membership is open to anyone who can provide proof of their IQ score.

The benefits of being a member of Mensa are numerous. 

Aside from simply bragging rights, Mensa members often find themselves in high-powered positions due to their intellect.

Many CEOs and politicians are Mensans, as well as many scientists and researchers. 

Additionally, membership in Mensa often leads to opportunities for networking and meetups with other like-minded people.

13. Gaokao

Gaokao, the ancient imperial examination, is one of the most important events in a student’s life. 

The competition is intense and students have to work very hard to get good grades. 

Gaokao has an immense impact on a person’s future and many people believe that it decides who will become a successful individual.

The test covers mathematics, language, literature, and other subjects.

It has been controversial because of its importance in university admissions. 

In recent years, the gaokao has come under increased scrutiny for its links to social stratification and educational opportunities.

14. Civil Services Examination (CSE): 

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is an important step in the recruitment process for government jobs in India. 

The CSE is a nationwide test that assesses candidates’ skills and knowledge in key areas of civil service administration.

Candidates who pass the CSE are eligible to apply for government jobs in India. 

The CSE is divided into two parts: the General Category (GC) examination and the Special Category (SC) examination. 

Candidates who want to take the GC examination must have passed their 12th grade from a government-recognized school, while candidates who want to take the SC examination must have completed their undergraduate studies at a government-approved university. 

The CSE is conducted twice a year, in May and December.

15  Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE Advanced) 

Towards the end of this Academic Year, students across India will be sitting for their JEE Advanced examinations. 

The JEE Advanced examination is a qualifying exam for admission into prestigious Indian Engineering colleges. 

The JEE Advanced examination is an internationally recognized graduation level qualification in engineering.

It was introduced in 2009 and replaced the older JEE Main examination. 

The examination is conducted by the Joint Admission Board (JAB) and results are made public within a month of the final round. 

Students who qualify for the JEE Advanced examination can apply to study engineering at any Indian university that offers such courses. 

Students who wish to sit for the JEE Main or JEE Advanced examinations must first register with their respective Boards via the website www.jeeadvancedexam.nic.in/.

16. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) examinations are offered by various universities as a part of the admissions process. 

GATE is an essential requirement for admission to many engineering programs. 

The exam is designed to measure your ability to solve problems, think critically, and use information technology.

The GATE exams are divided into two categories:

• General, and

• Special

The General section consists of four tests:

• Maths
• Reasoning
• Science, and
• English Language. 

The Special section consists of three tests:

• Data Interpretation and Communication,
• Environmental Studies, and
• Computer Science. 

You can also take the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) calculation into account while preparing for the GATE exams.

17. Union Public Service Commission Exams

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an autonomous body that certifies officers and other personnel of central, state, and local governments in India. 

The UPSC has been conducting examinations since 1906.

The examination system is divided into two parts:

• The written examination, and
• The interview. 

Candidates who qualify in the written examination may then appear for an interview. 

 The UPSC conducts a preliminary examination to screen candidates for eligibility to appear for the Main Examination.

18. Chartered Accountant (CA)

The Chartered Accountant (CA) examination is one of the most highly respected professional accounting exams in the world. 

The exam is administered by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). 

The CA designation is awarded to individuals who have completed a rigorous three-year course that covers the theory and practice of auditing, financial statement analysis, management accountancy, taxation, and business law. 

Candidates must also pass two qualifying exams: the CA Examination for Partnerships (CEP) and the CA Examination for Employment (CEE). 

After completing their coursework and passing their exams, candidates are granted a degree from ICAEW. 

The CA designation has been given to individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles of accounting and financial analysis. 

As such, applicants must have excellent writing skills as well as analytical ability.

19. NASA Astronaut Candidate Programme

NASA’s astronaut candidate programme has been in operation for more than 50 years and it has produced more than a dozen astronauts. 

The programme is open to anyone who is interested in becoming an astronaut and passes a series of exams. 

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a college degree, be able to pass a physical exam, and have at least 1,000 hours of flight experience. 

To be selected as an astronaut candidate, applicants must also submit a proposal for a space mission that they would like to perform.

20. National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) 

National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) examinations are conducted by various medical colleges in India to assess the eligibility of candidates for admission into MBBS and BDS courses. 

The NMAT is a paper-based test that consists of General Medicine, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics & Gynecology sections. 

Candidates who have scored above 50% in the NMAT are eligible to apply to MBBS and BDS courses across all medical colleges in India. 

Candidates who score less than 50% or fail the NMAT may still be eligible for admission into a medical college if they meet other eligibility criteria, such as possessing an undergraduate degree from a recognized university or having passed an equivalent examination. 

The NMAT is a challenging test that can help you secure admission into a reputable medical school in India.

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Conclusion 

These exams are definitely easy. They are quite challenging and intimidating.

However, with hard work and dedication, you can achieve success. 

So, if you are feeling nervous or scared before these exams, remember that you can do it! 

There is no shame in falling short on occasion, but always strive to be the best that you can be. 

So good luck, and remember to stay calm and focused during these tests.