Is the MCAT the hardest exam in the world?

Asked by: Deshawn Adams  |  Last update: December 1, 2025
Score: 5/5 (8 votes)

The Medical College Admission Test, commonly known as the MCAT, stands as a formidable hurdle for aspiring medical professionals. It is widely regarded as one of the most challenging tests in the world as it assesses a multitude of skills and knowledge that are essential for success in the field of medicine.

Which is the hardest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
  • Gaokao Exam in China.
  • IIT JEE Advanced.
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC.
  • All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam.
  • USMLE.
  • Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
  • ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams.
  • CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

Is the MCAT the hardest test?

Yes, the MCAT is a very difficult exam. Among all of the graduate school entrance exams administered in the US, the MCAT is regarded as the hardest. It is 7.5 hours of mental taxation.

Which is harder, LSAT or MCAT?

The difficulty of the LSAT vs MCAT is subjective and depends on an individual's strengths and interests. Some may find the MCAT more challenging due to its extensive scientific content, while others may struggle more with the LSAT because of its emphasis on logical reasoning and comprehension skills.

What is the hardest test to become a doctor?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.

Can the Smartest Man in Japan Get a Perfect SAT Score?

41 related questions found

Which is harder, CPA or MCAT?

The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.

What is the toughest medical exam in the world?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), held in the USA, is the toughest medical examination in the world. It is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States, regarded as one of the most challenging medical exams.

Is the MCAT harder than the NCLEX?

4. Is the NCLEX Harder Than the MCAT? No, the NCLEX isn't harder than the MCAT.

Does MCAT matter more than GPA?

In other words, students with higher GPAs and MCAT scores have a better chance of getting into medical school. On the other hand, it's really difficult to get into medical school with a low GPA. The lower the GPA, the higher the MCAT score needed to get into medical school, and vice-versa.

Has anyone gotten a 180 on the LSAT?

The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.

What is top 90% MCAT?

To score in the 90th percentile of any given MCAT section, you'll need at least a 125-126, depending on the section. To have scored in the 75th percentile, you must have scored greater than 508. To have an MCAT score in the 50th percentile, you must have scored greater than 500.

What is the hardest subject in MCAT?

While the MCAT CARS is often considered the toughest MCAT section, the hardest MCAT subject will vary. One test-taker might find the biology subjects to be harder than chemistry, because of the huge amount of information covered. Or you might struggle more with physics and math than biology subjects.

Has anyone ever aced the MCAT?

0.021% of 273,860 students brings us to our final answer: 58 students. Since this method is not perfect, we'll leave you with a range; between 30 and 70 students every year achieve a perfect 528 MCAT. This is out of the nearly three hundred thousand students who take the exam.

Which is the toughest exam in the USA?

What Are the Toughest Exams in the US?
  • American Mensa Admission Test. The American Mensa Admission Test is designed to be tough. ...
  • California Bar Exam. One of the requirements to practice law in California is passing the California Bar Exam administered by the State Bar of California. ...
  • Chartered Financial Analyst Exams.

Which is the toughest exam in the universe?

7 Toughest Exams In The World That Push Your Limits
  1. GAOKAO (CHINA) This exam selects candidates for prestigious government positions. ...
  2. UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM (INDIA) ...
  3. CFA EXAM (GLOBAL) ...
  4. BAR EXAM (UNITED STATES) ...
  5. GATE (INDIA) ...
  6. OLYMPIAD EXAMS (GLOBAL) ...
  7. MENSA TEST (GLOBAL)

What is the hardest test of all time?

World's Toughest Exams: Check All the Details Here!
  1. Mensa IQ Test. The Mensa Intelligence Test is a test that aims at identifying those people who have a very high level of intelligence. ...
  2. UPSC Civil Services Examination (India) ...
  3. 3. California Bar Exam (USA) ...
  4. Gaokao (China) ...
  5. NEET (India) ...
  6. LSAT (USA) ...
  7. GMAT (Global) ...
  8. MCAT (USA)

Is a 515 MCAT score good?

If you scored a 515 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 91st percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and you now have a competitive score for med-school admission.

Can I get into med-school with a 500 MCAT?

The lowest MCAT score accepted by most medical schools in the U.S. and Canada is typically in the range of 490-495. Scores below 490 are rarely, if ever, accepted. It's important to note that while 490-495 is the minimum score accepted, the vast majority of applicants score well above this range.

Is a 3.4 GPA bad for med-school?

This means that your application will typically not even be considered if you have less than a 3.0. If you have a low GPA, consider applying for a DO program instead of an MD program. The typical cutoff for DO programs is around a 3.4 GPA, while most MD programs require at least a 3.7 GPA.

What is the most heavily tested subject on the MCAT?

Biochemistry: This subject is heavily emphasized on the MCAT, reflecting its importance in medical education and practice. Topics in biochemistry, including amino acids, proteins, and enzyme kinetics, are integral parts of the exam, especially in the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section.

Can an RN take the MCAT?

Healthcare teams and nurses do not take the MCAT. Future doctors take the MCAT, an admissions test to medical school. Vocational nurses would only take the MCAT if they wanted to attend medical school to become doctors. Those who wish to enter nursing school must take the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills).

What happens if you fail the MCAT three times?

Although you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime, that number certainly doesn't reflect how many times you should be taking the MCAT. Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in world?

Some of the world's toughest exams include Gaokao (China), IIT JEE Advanced (India), and UPSC Civil Services Exam (India): all three are highly competitive, have very vast syllabi, and intense pressure.

What is the hardest type of doctor?

What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.

What is the hardest exam to become a doctor?

The USMLE Step exams are one of the most important and anxiety-inducing aspects of medical training. Step 1 is an exam that most medical students take in their second or third year of school, which tests basic science knowledge relevant to the practice of medicine.