Gaokao: The Chinese National Higher Education Entrance Examination
In the heart of the world’s most populous country, the Gaokao exam reigns supreme. Every June, over nine million Chinese high school students spend nine hours over two days on this notoriously grueling test. The exam covers mathematics, Chinese, a foreign language, and either the sciences or humanities. It is the sole determinant for admission into Chinese universities, making it one of the most high-stakes exams globally. Its immense pressure and rigorous content undoubtedly make it one of the toughest examinations.
IIT-JEE (Advanced): Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination
IIT-JEE is a notoriously challenging examination, serving as the gateway to India’s prestigious engineering institutes, the IITs. Roughly 1.5 million students compete annually, but only around 10,000 secure a spot. The two-tiered examination—JEE Main and JEE Advanced—is known for its intense problem-solving questions in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. The complexity and competition associated with the IIT-JEE make it one of the most challenging exams globally.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam
Mensa Admission Test
As an international society that accepts only the top 2% of the global population based on IQ scores, Mensa’s admission test is decidedly tough. The questions require sharp logical reasoning, spatial intelligence, and language comprehension abilities. Due to its strict percentile requirement, the Mensa Admission Test is one of the world’s toughest to crack.
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
The three-part USMLE test is required for medical license renewal in the US. It assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, demonstrating fundamental patient-centered skills. The exam is known for its vast syllabus, intricate case-based questions, and exhaustive duration, making it one of the most formidable exams in the medical field.
California Bar Exam
Often regarded as the most challenging Bar examination in the United States, the California Bar Exam has a long-standing reputation for its complexity and low pass rates. The two-day test involves multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests that assess legal analysis, fact analysis, and the application of law to facts. Due to the high volume of laws and the low pass rate, the California Bar Exam is an uphill battle.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
All Souls College Oxford Fellowship Exam
One of the most intellectually challenging exams in the UK, the Fellowship Exam at All Souls College, Oxford, selects just two candidates for the prestigious Fellowship every year. The exam consists of several papers, including some that require candidates to write an essay based on a single keyword. The high intellect and original thinking demanded by this exam make it among the world’s toughest.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination
Aspiring accountants in the US know the trials of the CPA examination. The exam comprises four sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). The breadth and depth of the syllabus and the high failure rate make the CPA exam one of the most challenging globally.
These exams reflect a global commitment to knowledge and its application across varied fields. They might seem insurmountable at first glance, but remember, every examination is a learning opportunity in disguise. The journey to conquering these behemoths is as rewarding as the achievement itself. Good luck to all those who dare to tackle these titans of testing!
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