Which Is the Hardest Exam in the US and India?
Understanding the world's toughest exams is crucial for Indian students aspiring to study abroad in 2025. These highly competitive tests often determine entry into elite global universities and can shape scholarship, visa, and career prospects for international applicants.
Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World for 2025
Many of the world’s hardest exams test candidates’ depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and stress management under intense conditions. For those targeting top global universities, excelling at these entrance and qualifying tests can unlock prestigious undergraduate and postgraduate study options.
- Gaokao (China): National university entrance exam for millions of Chinese students.
- IIT JEE (India): The gateway to India’s prestigious IITs with extremely low acceptance rates.
- UPSC Civil Services Exam (India): Multi-stage exam for top government roles.
- GRE (USA/Global): Required for graduate admissions, especially in the USA.
- CFA (Global): Globally recognized finance credential with three tough levels.
- USMLE (USA): Compulsory exam for medical licensing in the US.
- Mensa IQ Test (Global): World’s toughest intelligence/aptitude admission test.
- Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (UK/Global): Most rigorous wine industry qualification.
- CA Exam (India): Chartered Accountancy exam known for low pass percentages.
- LNAT (UK): National law admissions aptitude test for elite UK law schools.
Exam Highlights – 2025
| Exam Name | Purpose/Level | Countries/Regions | Acceptance Rate | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaokao | UG Admission | China | 0.1% (Top Univs.) | ~9 hours |
| IIT JEE | UG Engineering | India | 1% (IITs) | 3–6 hours |
| UPSC CSE | Govt. Recruitment | India | ~0.2% | Multiple Days |
| GRE | Masters/PhD | USA, Global | Varies | ~4 hours |
| CFA | Finance Cert. | Global | Less than 20% | 18+ hours (all levels) |
| USMLE | Medical Licensure | USA | Varies | Multiple Days |
| Mensa IQ Test | IQ Qualification | Global | <2% | ~2 hours |
| Master Sommelier | Wine Industry | UK/Global | 8–10% | Multiple days |
| CA Exam | CA Certification | India | ~5–8% | 3 levels |
| LNAT | Law Admission | UK | Varies (Elite Univs.) | 2¼ hours |
Gaokao vs JEE: A Global Comparison for Indian Students
Gaokao and IIT JEE are often compared as two of the world’s toughest undergraduate entrance exams due to their immense scale, duration, and low acceptance rates at top institutes. Both demand years of preparation and deep subject knowledge.
- Gaokao (China): Open to all high school graduates for any UG program. Requires proficiency in Mandarin, Math, a foreign language, and a specialization—lasts 9 hours over 2–4 days.
- IIT JEE (India): For engineering aspirants, JEE Main (3 hours) and JEE Advanced (6 hours), Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics; only the top 1% qualify for IITs.
- Acceptance at elite colleges: Gaokao’s top-tier university intake is only 0.1% vs JEE's 1% at IITs.
Also read: GRE Exam
Other Notable Exams for International Admissions
- GRE – For US/Global master's & PhD admissions, analytical and quantitative focus.
- IELTS / TOEFL / PTE – English proficiency for UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA.
- GMAT – For MBA programs worldwide, tests quantitative, verbal, analytical writing, and integrated reasoning.
- SAT – UG admission in the US and beyond.
- USMLE, CFA, CA, UPSC – Recognized for professional studies and certifications worldwide.
Acceptance Rates and Success Strategies
The world’s toughest exams have ultra-low acceptance at their most prestigious institutions. Factors impacting success include continuity in preparation, high conceptual clarity, and stress management. For example, the USMLE and CFA have multi-stage formats, and the GMAT exam can be attempted multiple times per year.
Exams, Scholarships & Study Abroad Funding
Clearing tough exams opens access to merit scholarships offered by top universities and government agencies. Scholarships are often based on scores from exams like GRE, JEE, Gaokao, and international language tests. Review the full details on scholarship opportunities for 2025.
Post-Exam: Student Visa and Career Opportunities
After clearing challenging entrance exams, international students can apply for study visas and, in many countries, avail post-study work permits. Countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia offer pathways to stay and work after graduation—especially for those qualifying via tough global assessments.
Summary Table: World's Toughest Exams vs Indian Exams
| Exam | International Equivalent | Scope | Global Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEE (India) | Gaokao (China) | STEM UG | Asia, some global |
| UPSC (India) | USMLE, CFA | Government, Prof Cert | Global in Prof Sectors |
| GRE, GMAT, SAT | — | PG & UG Abroad | Worldwide |
| IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | — | Language Proficiency | Mainly Western countries |
For comprehensive entrance exam prep, check the latest GRE Syllabus or compare SAT & international admission tests.
In summary, cracking the world’s top 10 toughest exams demands years of preparation, but it can open doors to globally ranked universities, scholarships, and thriving international careers. For Indian students planning overseas studies in 2025, understanding these exams—and aligning preparation with global standards—will be pivotal for admission success.
FAQs on The Toughest Exams in the World: 2025 Student Edition
1. What is the toughest exam in the US?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is widely considered one of the toughest exams in the US due to its comprehensive assessment of scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills required for medical school admissions. Other challenging exams include the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and California Bar Exam.
2. Which is the 5th toughest exam in the world?
Based on recent global rankings, the California Bar Exam is often listed as the 5th toughest exam in the world due to its low pass rates and complex legal problem-solving requirements. However, rankings may vary annually based on difficulty and competition.
3. Which is the toughest exam in the world in 2025?
As of 2025, the Gaokao (China’s National Higher Education Entrance Examination) is considered the toughest exam globally. This exam tests millions of Chinese students annually in a wide range of subjects and is known for its intense competition and high pressure.
4. Which are the 2 toughest exams in India?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and the Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) are regarded as the toughest exams in India because of their deep subject knowledge requirements, low success rates, and national competition.
5. What are the top 10 toughest exams in the world according to Forbes?
According to various educational rankings and Forbes features, the top 10 toughest exams in the world include:
1. Gaokao (China)
2. IIT-JEE (India)
3. UPSC Civil Services (India)
4. Mensa IQ Test (Worldwide)
5. California Bar Exam (USA)
6. USMLE (USA)
7. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
8. GATE (India)
9. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (UK)
10. LNAT (UK)
6. What is the hardest school exam in the world?
The Gaokao is widely considered the hardest school-level exam in the world due to its exhaustive syllabus, immense competition, and life-changing impact on Chinese students’ academic and professional futures.
7. What are the top 10 hardest exams in the US?
The top 10 hardest exams in the US are:
1. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
2. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
3. California Bar Exam
4. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
6. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst Exam)
7. CPA (Certified Public Accountant Exam)
8. SAT (for top percentile scores)
9. ACT (for top percentile scores)
10. MENSA IQ Test
8. What is the world’s top 5 toughest exams?
The world’s top 5 toughest exams are generally:
1. Gaokao (China)
2. UPSC Civil Services (India)
3. IIT-JEE (India)
4. Mensa IQ Test
5. California Bar Exam (USA)
9. What are the top 20 toughest exams in the world?
The top 20 toughest exams in the world include Gaokao (China), IIT-JEE, UPSC (India), Mensa, California Bar, USMLE, CFA, GATE, All Souls Prize Fellowship (UK), LNAT (UK), GRE, LSAT, CPA, Tokyo University Entrance Exam (Japan), CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert), CSS (Pakistan), CIE (UK), The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, Indian Engineering Services, and SAT/ACT (top ranks).
10. Which is the hardest high school exam in the world?
The National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao) in China is the hardest high school exam in the world due to its broad curriculum, high stakes, and grueling testing conditions faced by millions of students each year.
11. What are the top toughest exams in the world for students?
The top toughest exams for students globally are:
1. Gaokao (China)
2. IIT-JEE (India)
3. UPSC Civil Services (India)
4. Mensa IQ Test
5. California Bar Exam (USA)
6. USMLE (USA)
7. GATE (India)
8. Tokyo University Entrance Exam (Japan)
9. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (UK)
10. CFA Exam
12. Where can I find the list of top 50 toughest exams in the world?
You can find the list of top 50 toughest exams in the world on reliable education portals, Forbes education features, Wikipedia’s ‘List of standardized tests’, and global examination ranking articles curated by major news and educational platforms.
