The World’s Toughest Exams in 2025

Exams test knowledge, but the ones on this list do much more than that; they demand years of preparation, deep focus, and mental stamina. 

What counts as “hardest” depends on you, your background, study habits, and the help you have. Still, these exams are tough for clear reasons: very low pass rates, huge syllabuses, and fierce competition.

A note for Nigerian students

If you are planning to study or work abroad, you will meet some of these names. Use this guide to understand what each exam is about, who takes it, and why it is considered difficult.

1) China — Gaokao

China’s national university entrance exam is a life-defining test taken by millions each year. The syllabus is huge, the pressure is extreme, and top universities set very high cut-off marks. Success can transform a student’s future; failure often means starting over.

2) India — IIT JEE

The gateway to India’s elite engineering institutes (the IITs) is famous for brutal competition. Questions test deep conceptual thinking in maths, physics, and chemistry. Many candidates spend two to three years in coaching before attempting it.

3) India — UPSC Civil Services

This multi-stage process (Prelims, Mains, and Interview) selects India’s top public servants. The reading load is enormous, covering history, polity, economy, ethics and more. Even strong candidates may need several attempts.

4) United Kingdom — Mensa Admission Test

Mensa screens for people in the top two percent of IQ. It is not about textbooks; it is about raw problem-solving under time pressure—patterns, logic, and spatial reasoning that stretch the brain.

5) United States/Canada — GRE

Required by many postgraduate programmes, the GRE blends vocabulary-heavy verbal reasoning with quantitative sections that trap the unprepared. The adaptive format punishes careless mistakes and rewards consistent accuracy.

6) United States/Global — CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

Across three levels, the CFA programme tests investment analysis, ethics, portfolio management, and more. The content is dense, the pass rates are low, and candidates must balance study with full-time work.

7) United States — CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

One of networking’s toughest badges. After a rigorous theory exam, candidates face a long, high-pressure lab where they must configure complex systems correctly. Real-world skill, not cramming, decides the outcome.

8) India — GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

Used for engineering postgraduate admissions and recruitment, GATE examines a deep understanding of core subjects. The questions are concept-driven, and time management is everything.

9) United States — USMLE

Medical licensing in the U.S. requires passing multiple steps that test clinical knowledge and decision-making. The material is vast, and integration across subjects is essential; many doctors study for months.

10) United States — California Bar Exam

Even among bar exams, California’s is notorious. Essays, performance tests, and multiple-choice questions probe legal reasoning and writing stamina over long hours. Repeat attempts are common.