IIT JEE Second Toughest Exam Globally; UPSC, GATE Also in Top List
A recent analysis by Erudera, an online platform for education-related searches, has placed several Indian examinations among the toughest worldwide. The IIT JEE, officially known as JEE Advanced, the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and GATE feature in the list of the top eight most difficult exams across the globe. According to the report, JEE Advanced holds the second position globally and ranks as the most challenging exam in India. The UPSC exam appears in third place, while GATE is identified as the eighth toughest exam internationally.
The report highlights the low success rates associated with these tests: IIT JEE records a one per cent success rate, the UPSC examination ranges between 0.1 per cent and 0.3 per cent, and GATE sees around 18 per cent of candidates clearing the exam.
Here’s the list of the top eight toughest exams in the world:
Gaokao Exam (China):
Gaokao tops the list as the world’s hardest exam, as noted in the Erudera report. More than 10 million students sit for it each year—13.35 million appeared in 2025, while 13.42 million took the test in 2024. This national college entrance exam in China evaluates students in core subjects such as Chinese, Mathematics, and English, along with selected subjects from Humanities, Science, or Commerce. To curb malpractice, authorities have introduced strict monitoring tools, including AI-enabled cameras, drones, and other advanced surveillance systems.
IIT JEE:
Ranked second globally, the IIT JEE is conducted for admission into BTech programmes at IITs. Over 10 lakh students attempt the exam annually, and the success rate remains close to one per cent.
UPSC Exam:
Placed third on the global difficulty scale, the UPSC Civil Services Examination registers a success rate of only 0.1 per cent to 0.3 per cent. It serves as the qualifying examination for positions such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other prestigious government services.
Mensa:
The Mensa test from England takes fourth place. This IQ assessment requires candidates to solve 35 puzzles within a time limit of 25 minutes.
GRE:
The Graduate Record Examination, listed fifth, is widely used to assess candidates applying for higher education programmes overseas.
CFA:
Considered one of the toughest finance-related qualifications, the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam draws over a lakh candidates annually from more than 100 countries. The success rate stands at about 43 per cent, according to the report.
CCIE:
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) examination, an advanced certification in networking, ranks next. It requires candidates to clear both a written test and a hands-on lab exam, with a success rate of roughly 26 per cent.
GATE Exam:
GATE occupies the eighth position on the list. It is held for admission to postgraduate programmes in engineering, technology, and architecture.