The question of the “hardest exam in life” is highly subjective, as difficulty depends on individual strengths, preparation, and the immense personal stakes involved. There is no single answer, but some exams are globally recognized for their extreme rigor, low pass rates, and life-altering consequences.

Among the most notoriously difficult exams worldwide are:

The Gaokao (China): This national college entrance exam is taken by over 10 million students annually. Its difficulty stems from the overwhelming volume of material across all subjects, the intense pressure from family and society, and the fact that a single score largely determines university placement and future career prospects.
IIT-JEE (India): The entrance exam for the Indian Institutes of Technology has an acceptance rate of around 1%. It tests profound conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills in physics, chemistry, and mathematics at a level far beyond standard high school curricula.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (India): A year-long process with multiple stages, this exam selects the country’s top bureaucrats. It requires encyclopedic knowledge of a vast range of subjects, exceptional writing skills for essays, and success in a grueling personality test.

In the realm of professional licensing, exams like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for doctors or the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam are also cited for their depth, breadth, and the years of dedicated study they demand.

Ultimately, the “hardest” exam is often the one that represents the greatest personal challenge and highest stakes for the individual taking it, whether it’s a bar exam, a professional certification, or a crucial academic test.

For perspective on the stakes of another challenging professional exam, you can read about the consequences of failing the NCLEX.

For an external analysis of some of the world’s most difficult tests, you can explore rankings and descriptions from educational resources like Think Student.