What is the pass rate for JEE Advanced?

JEE Advanced has approximately 17,760 seats available out of 1.2 million+ candidates, giving it a rough selection rate of about 1.5%. It is considered one of the toughest engineering entrance exams globally.

How hard is the UPSC Civil Services Exam?

The UPSC Civil Services Exam has a selection rate of roughly 0.17%, making it one of the most competitive government exams in the world. Around 1 million candidates compete for roughly 1,000 positions annually.

How many Master Sommeliers are there in the world?

As of 2025, there are fewer than 300 Master Sommeliers worldwide. The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam has a pass rate of under 10%, and many candidates spend 5-10 years preparing.

What is the CFA exam pass rate?

The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam has three progressive levels. The Level I pass rate hovers around 36-43%, Level II around 44-48%, and Level III around 48-52%. Only about 20% of candidates who start ultimately earn the charter.

🔥 Viral📊 InteractiveLast updated September 2025 • 15 min read

The 10 Hardest Exams in the World (2025 Rankings)

Q: What is the hardest exam in the world?

The Gaokao (China's National College Entrance Exam) is widely considered the hardest exam in the world, with only 0.003% of candidates gaining admission to top-tier universities like Tsinghua and Peking University.

From China's Gaokao to Oxford's All Souls — a definitive deep-dive into the exams that shatter dreams and forge legends. Complete with pass rates, difficulty scores, and an interactive Acceptance Odds Calculator.

📋

Exams Analyzed

🌍

Countries Covered

👥

16M+

Total Candidates/yr

🎯

0.003%

Lowest Pass Rate

📊 Difficulty Matrix

Relative difficulty score (1–10) based on pass rate, preparation time, and competitive intensity

🇨🇳Gaokao

10/10

0.003%

🇮🇳JEE Advanced

9.7/10

~1.5%

🇮🇳UPSC Civil Services

9.5/10

0.17%

🇬🇧All Souls Prize Fellowship

9.3/10

~1.3%

🍷Master Sommelier Diploma

9/10

<10%

🇮🇳CA Final (India)

8.5/10

~9.2%

💹CFA (All 3 Levels)

8.2/10

~20% cumulative

🌐CCIE Lab Exam

7.8/10

~26%

🧠Mensa Admission Test

7.5/10

Top 2%

🇺🇸USMLE Step 1 & 2

7.2/10

~75% (Step 1)

🇨🇳 Gaokao

China • Academic

0.003%

Pass Rate

12.9M

Candidates

~400 (Tsinghua)

Seats / Passes

3–6 years

Prep Time

🇮🇳 JEE Advanced

India • Academic

~1.5%

Pass Rate

1.2M+

Candidates

17,760

Seats / Passes

2–4 years

Prep Time

🇮🇳 UPSC Civil Services

India • Government

0.17%

Pass Rate

1M+

Candidates

~1,000

Seats / Passes

2–5 years

Prep Time

🇬🇧 All Souls Prize Fellowship

UK • Academic

~1.3%

Pass Rate

~80

Candidates

Seats / Passes

4+ years (post-grad)

Prep Time

🍷 Master Sommelier Diploma

Global • Professional

<10%

Pass Rate

~200/year

Candidates

~15/year

Seats / Passes

5–10 years

Prep Time

🇮🇳 CA Final (India)

India • Professional

~9.2%

Pass Rate

~350K

Candidates

~32K

Seats / Passes

3–5 years

Prep Time

💹 CFA (All 3 Levels)

Global • Professional

~20% cumulative

Pass Rate

300K+ (L1)

Candidates

~60K pass L1

Seats / Passes

2.5–4 years

Prep Time

🌐 CCIE Lab Exam

Global • Professional

~26%

Pass Rate

~15K/year

Candidates

~4K pass

Seats / Passes

1–3 years

Prep Time

🧠 Mensa Admission Test

Global • Academic

Top 2%

Pass Rate

~100K/year

Candidates

~2K admitted

Seats / Passes

N/A (IQ-based)

Prep Time

#10

🇺🇸 USMLE Step 1 & 2

USA • Professional

~75% (Step 1)

Pass Rate

~90K/year

Candidates

~67K pass

Seats / Passes

4 years (med school)

Prep Time

🎰 Acceptance Odds Calculator

Select an exam and input your estimated study hours to see your statistical acceptance probability

Target Exam

Total Study Hours

50 hrs500 hours3,000 hrs

📌 Note: This calculator uses a logarithmic probability model based on published pass rates. More study hours improve odds, but returns diminish. Real outcomes depend on study quality, mock exams, and mental preparedness.

Your Estimated Odds

0.004%

for 🇨🇳 Gaokao

0%Base rate: 0.003%100%

📚 Moderate preparation. You're building a solid foundation.

📋 Full Comparison Table

#	Exam	Country	Pass Rate	Candidates	Difficulty	Prep Time
1	🇨🇳 Gaokao	China	0.003%	12.9M	10/10	3–6 years
2	🇮🇳 JEE Advanced	India	~1.5%	1.2M+	9.7/10	2–4 years
3	🇮🇳 UPSC Civil Services	India	0.17%	1M+	9.5/10	2–5 years
4	🇬🇧 All Souls Prize Fellowship	UK	~1.3%	~80	9.3/10	4+ years (post-grad)
5	🍷 Master Sommelier Diploma	Global	<10%	~200/year	9/10	5–10 years
6	🇮🇳 CA Final (India)	India	~9.2%	~350K	8.5/10	3–5 years
7	💹 CFA (All 3 Levels)	Global	~20% cumulative	300K+ (L1)	8.2/10	2.5–4 years
8	🌐 CCIE Lab Exam	Global	~26%	~15K/year	7.8/10	1–3 years
9	🧠 Mensa Admission Test	Global	Top 2%	~100K/year	7.5/10	N/A (IQ-based)
10	🇺🇸 USMLE Step 1 & 2	USA	~75% (Step 1)	~90K/year	7.2/10	4 years (med school)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest exam in the world?+

The Gaokao (China's National College Entrance Exam) is widely considered the hardest exam globally, with only 0.003% of candidates gaining admission to top-tier universities like Tsinghua and Peking University. Other contenders include India's UPSC Civil Services (0.17% selection) and JEE Advanced.

Which exam has the lowest pass rate?+

The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam holds the record for the lowest cumulative pass rate among professional certifications, with fewer than 300 people passing since its inception. India's UPSC Civil Services follows with ~0.17% selection rate.

Is JEE Advanced harder than Gaokao?+

Both are extremely competitive but differ in format. JEE Advanced tests fewer subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Math) with extreme conceptual depth, while Gaokao covers a broader curriculum. Gaokao has more candidates (~12 million vs. ~250K), but JEE Advanced's mathematical difficulty per question is often considered higher.

How can I improve my chances of passing these exams?+

Start early preparation, use high-quality study materials, practice with past papers, maintain consistency over months (not weeks), and take care of mental health. Our tools can help with practical needs: compress admit card photos with our Image Compressor, resize passport photos, and generate study planners.

Are online certifications easier than traditional exams?+

Not necessarily. While online certifications like CFA or CCIE allow flexible scheduling, their pass rates remain notoriously low. The CFA program has a cumulative pass-through rate of only about 20%, and the CCIE lab exam has a ~26% pass rate despite being taken by experienced professionals.