Examinations are something we all need to go through at some point. Regardless of which field you pursue, you are expected to undergo tests at each stage of your education. However, there are certain assessments that are in a league of their own – year after year they cause numerous students to fail. If you are curious to learn what these examinations are, here is a comprehensive list:

The Most Challenging Exams in the World

National Higher Education Entrance Exam (Gaokao)

Nicknamed “gaokao”, this examination for Chinese youngsters has been dubbed as one of the most difficult examinations in the world. It is so tough that many prestigious universities such as Cambridge and the University of Toronto are accepting scores based on the test. The assessment is made up of four, three-hour papers. The sections include Chinese, English, Maths, and a choice between Science or the Humanities.

The papers consist of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and essays. Some of the math questions are believed to be equivalent to foreign university courses. However, what can really throw students off is the essays in the Chinese question. These questions can be based on anything and the topics are often incredibly difficult to write on.

Chartered Financial Analyst Examination

Each year, about 100,000 individuals around the world take their CFA examination. The test is 6 hours long and consists of 240 questions. It is estimated that the average person studies for around 300 hours before sitting down for the assessment. Nevertheless, only around half the test-takers pass.

What’s worse, around 40 to 50 percent of students can’t seem to pass the Level I test. In theory, this is the easiest stage. Despite this, only the topmost individuals are able to tackle the questions thrown at them. As a result, it is estimated that only 1 in 5 people end up completing the CFA program.

The US Bar Exam

Across the board, all lawyers would agree that this is one of the trickiest legal exams around. To begin with, the test can run between 2 or 3 days and is several hours long. Most students spend months preparing for this exam and even then, the pass rates are rather low. One of the trickiest aspects of this test is that it analyses virtually every section of the law. Thus, going to law school alone is often not enough to practice for it.

It is for this reason that most law graduates have to take a New York bar exam course just to prepare. What makes this assessment even more frustrating is that it varies from one state to another. So, if an attorney wants to practice law in another state, then he or she has to take the exam again in that particular region.

College Scholastic Ability Test (Suneung)

The CSAT is a test that every Korean student must take. This test is eight hours long and students are expected to take back-to-back tests. In many instances, passing the assessment can determine which university you get into, your job position, and even who you marry. Most students begin preparing for this exam several years before they are expected to sit for it. So, how difficult is it? Well, it is estimated that around 20 percent of students re-take it as they don’t get a good enough score.

There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding the creation of the test as well. Around 500 test-makers from around the country are taken to a remote location and begin building the test for a month. During this period, they aren’t allowed to have any contact with the outside world. On the day of the test, much of the work in the cities cease, including construction work, air traffic, and more.

Union Public Service Commission Examination

Each year, around 800,000 students across India will enroll for the UPSC exam. Of these, only one percent pass the preliminary round. This isn’t very encouraging considering that the overall program is made up of three levels, with exams spanning a course of several months.

What makes this test particularly difficult is the fact that it tests virtually every aspect of someone’s potential. The tiers are made of subjective and objective questions. Thus, you need to have analytical and creative skills to pass. Finally, an interview tests how well you do when thinking on your feet.

All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

Imagine taking a test that you couldn’t study for. Well, this is exactly what Oxford’s prized examination is all about. The questions are completely abstract and technically, there are no such things as right or wrong answers. To make it even more complicated, the university just selects one or two students to take the winning spot.

The topics are all based on humanities and social sciences. Within this scope, they can be based on any period, era, or subject matter. It is up to the candidates to write thorough and compelling arguments on each of the topics. Even then, it can be difficult to know exactly what the examiner is looking for.

Master Sommelier Diploma Exam

The first-ever Master Sommelier’s exam took place in 1969. Since then, just a mere 262 people have passed the exam globally. It is the final level that sommeliers have to pass before they can be considered true experts in their industry. Many people spend the better portion of a decade studying and practicing for this test.

The exam consists of three portions. There is an oral theory exam, a service portion, and a blind tasting section. The final stage must be completed in twenty-five minutes. Thus, sommeliers have to call on every element of their study and experience to pass this exam. There are some that take the test several times to no avail. However, those that pass get job offers, pay raises, and a lifetime of recognition in their industry.

These are some of the most gruelling examinations in the world. So, if you are expected to take one of these – good luck! Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the fact that you get to simply read about the obstacles that other students have to go through.