What is the hardest licensure exam in the world?

Asked by: Devan Mertz IV  |  Last update: October 20, 2025
Score: 5/5 (29 votes)

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

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam in the world?

Gaokao Exam - China. The Gaokao, which means higher exam, is the abbreviation of the Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges. This test is the national undergraduate admission exam for China. It is the most difficult exam in the world.

What is the hardest licensing exam?

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

As if medical school wasn't tough enough, aspiring doctors in the US must complete one of the toughest exams in the world to obtain their medical license in the country.

What is the hardest nursing licensure exam in the world?

The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.

Is step 1 the hardest exam in the world?

Step 2 had the highest passing rates for both US/Canadian students (98%) and non-US/Canadian test takers (88%). This data suggests that Step 1 was the hardest exam to pass. No matter which step you are preparing for, the USMLE exams are challenging.

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Is step 1 harder than MCAT?

In terms of exam difficulty, the MCAT is considered easier compared to the USMLE Step 1. It is because the MCAT only tests the basic science principles and skills of the individual if one fits the requirement to proceed or enter med school.

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 state is NCLEX the hardest in?

There were some regional differences between the 50 states in the NCLEX RN pass rate for U.S. educated candidates. Florida had the lowest overall state pass in 2020 with a percentage of 68.8. New Hampshire placed highest with a percentage of 96.2.

What is the hardest medical license exam in the world?

USMLE. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a rigorous series of exams that physicians must pass to practice medicine in the US. USMLE is known for its high standards and extensive content, it boasts a pass rate of around 94-97% for its various steps, reflecting its difficulty.

Is the NCLEX harder than nursing school?

The NCLEX isn't necessarily harder than nursing school courses/exams—it's just different. The NCLEX tests your knowledge of everything you possibly learned in nursing school, while nursing school exams test your knowledge on specific courses or course content.

What state has the hardest license test?

According to a study done by a personal injury law firm Zanes Law, the two states bordering Washington, D.C. – Virginia and Maryland – are the two hardest states in the country to get a driver's license in!

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is typically seen as harder than the NCLEX. This is because the Bar Exam covers many intricate legal topics and has a lower pass rate, around 60% on average. In contrast, the NCLEX focuses on nursing concepts and has a higher pass rate, around 80% on average.

Is the CPA or MCAT harder?

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.

Which is the toughest degree in the world?

10 Hardest Degrees in the World [2025]
  1. Medicine: According to studies, the medical field is considered one of the toughest degrees to pursue. ...
  2. Aerospace Engineering: ...
  3. Quantum Physics: ...
  4. Astrophysics: ...
  5. Electrical Engineering: ...
  6. Law: ...
  7. Architecture: ...
  8. Chemical Engineering:

Which is the hardest medical exam?

However, the difficulty rate of cracking the NEET exam is increasing every year. Many Indian medical aspirants struggle to pass their NEET exams because of the stringent question pattern and the cut-off scores that fluctuate every year. NEET is also widely recognized as one of the most difficult exams in India.

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)

Which is the toughest license in the world?

China, Hungary and Montenegro are the hardest countries to pass your driving test. On balance, these countries have tough theory tests and require more practical experience before being able to sit a practical test.

What's the hardest doctor to become?

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 license to get?

1. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) 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.

What is the easiest state to pass NCLEX?

Top 5 States with the Highest NCLEX Pass Rates Over Seven Years
  1. 1 | New Hampshire. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2023): 94.1% ...
  2. 2 | North Dakota. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2023): 92.1% ...
  3. 3 | Louisiana. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2023): 91.9% ...
  4. 4 | Nebraska. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2023): 90.9% ...
  5. 5 | North Carolina.

What is the hardest nursing exam in the world?

The exam tests the comprehensive knowledge and application of nursing principles, procedures, and critical thinking skills. The rigorous nature of the exam, combined with the high stakes involved in patient care, makes the NCLEX-RN one of the toughest exams for nursing professionals.

Which state is hardest to get a medical license?

With that in mind, then, here are the most difficult states in which to acquire a medical license:
  • Texas.
  • Arkansas.
  • Mississippi.
  • Florida.
  • New Jersey.
  • North Dakota.

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.

Which is the No 1 toughest exam?

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) The most toughest exam in India is UPSC CSE, held annually by the Union Public Service Commission for recruiting candidates into civil services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and associated roles. The eligibility to appear for UPSC is a recognized university graduation.

Which state has the most difficult standardized test?

New York, which nabbed the top spot in the study, had already implemented harder tests tied to the Common Core in 2013, as had North Carolina and Massachusetts. That may have contributed to the state's high difficulty score.