Toughest Exams in the World in 2026 [Top Hardest Exams List]

When millions of candidates compete for a few successful outcomes, the overall difficulty increases significantly, which makes a few exams tougher than the rest.

Here's a list of exams that are considered the hardest globally:

• Gaokao Exam in China
• JEE Advanced Exam
• UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
• USMLE
• Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
• All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
• ICAI CA/ ICMAI CMA Exams
• CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
• Mensa International
• CFA

Let’s get into the details of all the world’s toughest exams, their success rate and what makes them so difficult to crack:

Success Rate: 0.003% to 0.004% (for top national universities in China)
Number of Students Applied (2024): 13,420,000 candidates
Duration: 9 hours spread across 2 to 3 days

The Gaokao is a national college entrance exam for undergraduate admissions and is the hardest exam in the world. This standardized test happens every year over two to three days. Students from rural provinces face stricter cut-offs than those in cities like Beijing or Shanghai, making admission harder.

Why is Gaokao the Toughest Exam in the World?

• Acceptance Rate of 0.004%: Over 13 million students take the Gaokao every year, but only 50,000 to 60,000 seats are available at top universities. This means 260 students compete for one seat. 
• Marathon Testing Format: The exam lasts 9 hours across 2 to 3 days, where students are tested on Chinese, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Sciences, and Humanities. They need to score over 600 out of 750 points to get into the best universities in China.
• Intense Preparation Period: Most students start preparing in middle school by devoting 12 to 16 hours every day. 

Eligibility Criteria

Below is the eligibility criteria for the Gaokao exam:

• High school completion or graduation in China. 
• Chinese citizenship required. 
• Age usually 17 to 19, but no strict age limit. 
• Repeaters or ‘social candidates’ can retake. 
• International students apply separately through TOEFL/IELTS or HSK routes.

Success Rate: 30.14% (2025)
Number of Students Applied (2025): 1,80,422 candidates
Duration: 6 hours (3 hours per paper)

The JEE Advanced is one of the hardest exams in India for admission to IITs. Over 12 lakh students take JEE Main, but only the top 2.5 lakh get a chance to sit for JEE Advanced. Approximately 11,000 seats are available across all IITs, and around 16 students compete for one IIT seat.

Why is the JEE Advanced Exam so Difficult for Students? 

• Extreme Time Pressure & Multi-Step Problems: Students get just 2-3 minutes per question to solve complex, multi-step problems in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. 
• Unpredictable Pattern with Multiple Correct Answers: The exam frequently changes its format with numerical value questions, matrix-match type, and questions with more than one correct answer.
• Harsh Negative Marking System: For every 4 incorrect answers, students lose the marks of 1 correct answer. 

Eligibility Criteria

Below are the main eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced:

• Must qualify for JEE Main and have a maximum of 2 attempts in consecutive years.
• General/OBC candidates must be born on or after Oct 1, 2000 (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD). 
• Should not have accepted admission to an IIT earlier. 
• Must have passed Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths with 75% (for General and OBCs) and 65% (SC/ST).

Success Rate: 0.2% (2024)
Number of Students Applied (2024): 13.4 Lakh candidates (1,009 recommended)
Duration: 31 hours total (Prelims: 4 hours, Mains: 27 hours across 9 papers)

UPSC CSE is considered one of the toughest exams in India, with a success rate of 0.2%. Last year, around 13.4 Lakh candidates applied, and only 1009 got recommended for the appointment. Out of these 1009, only the top 150 candidates get IAS, IFS, and IPS positions. 

Why is UPSC Among the Hardest Exams in the World?

• Massive syllabus: The exam demands comprehensive knowledge spanning history, geography, polity, ethics, economics, current affairs, and even philosophical questions. 
• Lengthy exam structure: UPSC follows a three-stage process stretching across an entire year. The preliminary exam takes place in May, followed by the 9 descriptive mains examinations in October, and finally the personality test (interview) in January/February.
• Negative marking in prelims: One-third of the marks (0.66 marks in GS Paper-I and 0.83 marks in CSAT) are deducted for every incorrect answer, making it one of the top 10 hardest exams in the world.

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the following eligibility criteria for UPSC:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. 
• Indian citizenship
• Age 21 to 32 (varies for General, OBCs, SCs, and STs).

Success Rate: Step 1: 90% (US MD), 86% (US DO), 72% (IMG) | Step 2 CK: 98% (US MD), 96% (US DO) | Step 3: 97% (US MD) - 2023 Data
Number of Candidates: 100,000+ examinations per year globally (all steps combined)
Duration: 33 hours total (Step 1: 8 hours, Step 2 CK: 9 hours, Step 3: 16 hours over 2 days)

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is one of the hardest exams in the world because of its mandatory three-step medical licensing exam that physicians must pass to practice medicine in the USA. The program administers approximately 100,000 Step examinations annually, making it one of the toughest exams in the world.

Why is USMLE Among the Toughest Exams in the World?

• Declining pass rates: Overall pass rates have dropped significantly since the transition to pass/fail in 20222. In 2023, US MD graduates had a 90% pass rate for Step 1 (down from 91% in 2022), US DO graduates saw 86% (down from 89%), and international medical graduates achieved only 72% (down from 74%).
• Three-step format: Candidates must clear all three stages, which start with Step 1 (basic sciences), Step 2 CK (clinical knowledge), and Step 3 (patient management), spread across several years.
• High competition for residency: 98% of US and Canadian MD graduates passed Step 2 CK on their first attempt in 2023. Even with passing scores, securing competitive residency positions remains extremely difficult.

Eligibility Criteria

Below mentioned is the main eligibility criterion for USMLE:

• Medical students and graduates from accredited medical schools (both US and international).

Success Rate: <10% overall (historical average) | Total Passers: 274 since 1969
Number of Candidates: 120-150 annually worldwide (Court of Master Sommeliers, 2024 data)
Duration: 3 days total (Theory: 2.5 hours; Tasting: 1 hour; Service: 45-60 minutes)

The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is overseen by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and it is the ultimate certification for wine professionals. This toughest exam in the world tests encyclopedic knowledge and elite service skills to qualify for leadership roles in global fine dining and wine programs. 

What Makes the Master Sommelier Diploma So Difficult?

• Extremely low pass rate: The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam has a pass rate below 10%, with only 274 people clearing it since 1969. In 2024, just 5 of 62 candidates passed, showing how even top wine experts struggle to meet its high standards.
• Several Levels structure: The exam takes place over three challenging days, testing theory, tasting, and service skills. Candidates must score at least 75% in a 2.5-hour theory test covering 10,000+ wines, identify six wines blindly in 25 minutes, and perform perfect service under pressure.
• Prolonged preparation and multiple attempts: Most candidates spend 8-12 years in the wine industry before attempting the exam, often needing 2-3 tries to pass. They must first clear the Advanced Sommelier exam and complete 300-500 hours of focused study.

Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria are for the Master Sommelier Diploma:

• Only after clearing the Advanced Sommelier exam. 
• 10+ years of industry experience. 
• 75% on each section to pass.

Success Rate: 1.33% (2 out of 150 candidates) | Total Fellows Elected Annually: 2
Number of Candidates: 150 annually (All Souls College, 2025 data)
Duration: 12 hours written (four 3-hour papers) + viva voce for shortlisted candidates

The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam at Oxford University is one of the hardest fellowship exams in the world. It offers a seven-year research fellowship with no teaching duties and a £18,000+ (₹18.41L) stipend. Only two students are selected each year from around 150 of Oxford’s top graduates.

Why is the All Souls Fellowship Considered Among the Hardest Exams?

• Low success rate: Only 2 out of 150 applicants (1.33%) are selected each year. Even top Oxford graduates often fail, as the exam demands exceptional originality and broad knowledge.
• Multi-stage structure: The exam has four 3-hour papers over two days, with two specialist and two general subjects, followed by a challenging viva for shortlisted candidates. Essay-style questions demand deep analysis and original thinking.
• Intense preparation and one-shot pressure: Candidates are usually recent Oxford graduates who prepare alone for 6-12 months on a changing syllabus from classics to current affairs. Many attempt it multiple times over their career, with no retakes allowed in consecutive years and fierce competition.

Eligibility Criteria

Here is the main eligibility criterion for the All Souls Prize Fellowship:

• Recent graduates (usually from Oxford or Cambridge), with exceptional academic distinction

Success Rate: CA Final: 14.78% (Sept 2025, 14,609 out of 98,827 passed) | CMA Final: 18.64% (June 2025, both groups)
Number of Candidates: CA Final: 98,827 (Sept 2025 session) | CMA Intermediate: 42,307 (June 2025 session)
Duration: CA Final: 18 hours total (6 papers x 3 hours each) | CMA Final: 24 hours total (8 papers x 3 hours each)

The ICAI CA and ICMAI CMA exams are India's premier professional qualifications for chartered and cost accountants, spanning multiple levels of testing in accounting, auditing, taxation, and management. ICAI CA/ ICMAI CMA Exams rank among the top 10 toughest exams to crack for aspiring finance experts, with passing rates consistently under 20%

Why is CA/CMA One of the Hardest Exams in the World?

• Low Acceptance Rate: In September 2025, only 14.78% passed the CA Final and 18.64% passed the CMA Final. Even well-prepared candidates often fail due to complex and evolving topics like GST and auditing.
• Tough multi-stage setup: The exams have three levels: Foundation (4 papers), Intermediate (8 papers), and Final (6-8 papers), and span 4-5 years along with work training. Each level requires 40% per paper and 50% overall to progress.
• Extensive prep and many tries: Students spend 3-5 years studying, with 6-12 months prep per attempt, often taking 3-4 tries per level. 

Eligibility Criteria

CA is one of the world’s toughest exams, and here is the eligibility criteria for it:

• For CA, Class 12th pass for Foundation. 
• Graduate entry allowed at Intermediate. 
• For CMA, it is the same route as the graduate entry option.

Success Rate: Lab exam is 25% (2025 global average) | Total Certified: 65,000+ lifetime
Number of Candidates: 15,000 lab attempts annually worldwide (Cisco 2025 data)
Duration: Written is 120 minutes & Lab is 8 hours

The CCIE is Cisco's highest networking certification, validating expert skills in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting complex enterprise networks. It requires passing a written qualifier and an 8-hour hands-on lab, positioning it as one of the top 10 hardest exams in the world.

Why is CCIE Among the Toughest Exams in the World?

• Very low pass rate: The CCIE lab exam has a 25% success rate in 2025. Only about 3,750 out of 15,000 annual attempts succeed globally. Even experienced engineers fail repeatedly because minor configuration errors can cause total network failures.
• Tough two-stage setup: Candidates first take a 120-minute written exam with a pass rate of around 70%, followed by an 8-hour lab simulating enterprise network crises in routing, security, and automation. They must achieve over 80% accuracy to pass.
• Long prep: Aspirants spend 1-2 years and over 1,000 hours on bootcamps and labs, averaging 2-3 attempts per track. Cisco data shows 40% of candidates retake within a year.

Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria are for CCIE:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in networking. 
• Experience in Cisco technologies preferred

Success Rate: 2% (top 2% IQ threshold) | Total Members: 150,000 worldwide
Number of Candidates: 80,000 annual global test takers (Mensa 2025 data)
Duration: 1-2 hours (supervised proctored sessions)

Mensa International's admission test is a high-stakes IQ assessment that qualifies individuals for the world's oldest high-IQ society, requiring scores in the top 2% of the population. It is administered in 90+ countries and demands exceptional cognitive speed and reasoning, ranking it among the toughest exams in the world.

Why is Mensa International Among the Hardest Exams in the World?

• Fixed 2% pass rate: Only 2% of test takers qualify each year, with about 1,600 passing out of 80,000 global attempts in 2025. The exam uses normed IQ scales, such as 130+ on the Stanford-Binet, and strict passing marks eliminate 98% of candidates.
• Diverse test formats under pressure: The exam includes timed and untimed puzzles like Cattell III B (verbal and non-verbal reasoning) and Raven’s matrices. Sessions last 1-2 hours in supervised, proctored settings with no aids allowed and no retests for 12 months.
• Solo prep and lifelong barrier: Many attempt the test 2-3 times over several years. Over 70% fail the initial screen, making Mensa a lifelong as well as one-way filter that ensures elite exclusivity.

Eligibility Criteria

Here is the eligibility criteria for Mensa International:

• Must be at least 10 years old. 
• Must score at or above 9the to 8th percentile on an approved test.

Success Rate: Level 1: 43% (Aug 2025) | Level 2: 46% (Aug 2025) | Level 3: 52% (Aug 2025)
Number of Candidates: 250,000 annually across all levels (CFA Institute 2025 data)
Duration: 4.5 hours per level (computer-based, multiple sessions yearly)

The CFA program is offered by the CFA Institute and is the gold standard for investment professionals. It spans three levels of ultimate self-study in ethics, quantitative methods, economics, and portfolio management. It is one of the hardest exams in the world because it requires 4,000+ total study hours and four years of experience for charter.

Why is CFA One of the World’s Toughest Exams?

• Very low cumulative pass rate: Only 10-15% of 250,000 candidates complete all three levels within three years. In 2025, the Level 1 pass rate was 43%, the Level 2 was 46%, and the Level 3 was 52%.
• Tough Structure: Each exam is 4.5 hours. Level 1 is multiple-choice, Level 2 uses case-based analysis, and Level 3 combines essays and case items. Candidates must score at least 70% and can attempt only three times per year.
• Intense self-study and retry: Each exam is 4.5 hours. Level 1 is multiple-choice, Level 2 uses case-based analysis, and Level 3 combines essays and case items. Candidates must score at least 70% and can attempt only three times per year.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the major eligibility criteria for CFA:

• Bachelor’s degree or final-year student. 
• Relevant work experience can substitute degree requirement.

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