The Hardest Exams in the World

In this presentation, we explore five of the hardest examinations globally, highlighting their structure, types of questions, and student performance.

Overview of Exams

• Some exams require years of preparation, while others cannot be prepared for extensively.
• Different exams test pure knowledge, creativity, and original thinking.
• Notably, one exam has a median score of zero.

1. United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

• Purpose: Required to become a licensed doctor in the U.S.

• Structure: Three steps, each taken at different times during medical education:

  • Step 1: Basic sciences (8 hours, 280 multiple-choice questions)
  • Step 2: Clinical knowledge (9 hours, 318 multiple-choice questions)
  • Step 3: Patient management (18 hours over 2 days, 412 multiple-choice questions + 13 simulations)

• Sample Questions: Long, detailed questions focusing on clinical scenarios with options to choose from.

• Average Scores (2021): Step 1: 231, Step 2: 247, Step 3: 227

• Pass Rates: Step 1: 91%, Step 2: 98%, Step 3: 98%

2. Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) - India

• Purpose: Admission to engineering colleges in India, including IITs.

• Structure: Two parts - JEE Main and JEE Advanced

  • JEE Main: Three papers covering Physics, Math, and Chemistry (3-hour exams).
  • JEE Advanced: Two papers (also 3-hour online exams) focusing on complex problems.

• Difficulty:

  • 1.5 million students take JEE Main; only 10% qualify for Advanced.
  • Of those, about 25% qualify for admission to IITs.
  • Competitive and designed to eliminate candidates rather than select.

• Sample Questions: Involves advanced topics in math, physics, and chemistry.

3. Gao Kao (National Higher Education Entrance Examination) - China

• Purpose: College admissions in China, significantly impacting students' futures.

• Structure: 9-hour exam over 2-3 days, focusing on Chinese, Math, and a foreign language.

• Tracks: Arts or Science, with different subjects tested.

• Difficulty: Only one chance per year to take the exam, leading to immense pressure.

• Scoring: Top universities require scores in the top 1-5% depending on the province.

• Sample Questions: Complex problems in mathematics and science; direct impact on educational opportunities.

4. All Souls Fellowship Exam - Oxford University

• Purpose: Selection for examination fellows at All Souls College.

• Structure: 12-hour exam divided into four 3-hour papers, including two specialist papers and two general papers.

• Questions: Open-ended and philosophical, such as:

  • Discuss aspects of life in an obituary.
  • Examine the justification of objectifying others.

• Admission Rate: Extremely competitive; typically only 2 fellows selected from 150 candidates (1.33%).

5. Putnam Mathematical Competition

• Purpose: Recognizes the brightest undergraduate math students in the U.S. and Canada.

• Structure: 6-hour exam with 12 challenging problems.

• Median Score: Historically, the median score is zero, highlighting the competition's difficulty.

• Awards: Cash prizes for top scorers and schools.

• Sample Questions: Require deep mathematical intuition and problem-solving skills; many challenges are deceptively simple.

Conclusion

• Each exam has unique challenges and high stakes.
• The intense nature of these exams underscores the dedication required in academic fields.
• Audience encouraged to share their experiences or intentions regarding these exams.