Toughest Exam In India: We all know that in India many young people start preparing for competitive exams right after completing their graduation. This phase is often filled with both excitement and anxiety as they look forward to achieving their career goals. However, before starting preparation, it’s crucial to understand which is the toughest exam in India and what makes it so challenging. Knowing this basically helps in setting realistic goals and planning an effective study strategy. But fret not if you’re not aware.
In this article, we’ll explore the top toughest exams in India, what makes them difficult, the Toughest Interview In India, and a brief look at the most challenging exams worldwide. So, keep reading.
Contents
- 1 Top 10 Toughest Exams In India 2024
- 2 What Are The Toughest Exams In India In 2024?
- 2.1 1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam
- 2.2 2. Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE)
- 2.3 3. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
- 2.4 4. Common Admission Test (CAT)
- 2.5 5. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) PG Entrance Exam
- 2.6 6. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
- 2.7 7. Chartered Accountancy (CA) Exam
- 2.8 8. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- 2.9 9. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
- 2.10 10. National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam
- 2.11 What Makes These Exams Tough?
- 2.12 List Of Toughest Interviews In India
- 2.13 What Are The 10 Toughest Exams In The World?
- 2.14 Strategies To Crack Toughest Exams
- 2.15 Final Words
Top 10 Toughest Exams In India 2024
Here are the exams about which you all will be reading about.
- UPSC
- IIT-JEE
- GATE
- CAT
- AIIMS
- NEET
- CA
- CLAT
- XAT
- NDA
Now, let’s get into the details below.
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What Are The Toughest Exams In India In 2024?
India is quite known for its rigorous education and competitive exam system. Here are ten of India’s toughest exam in the country:
1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam
Overview: This is the most difficult exam in India, recruiting candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.
Website link: https://upsc.gov.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
The exam is conducted in three stages – Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test (Interview).
- Preliminary Exam: Consists of two objective-type papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
- Mains Exam: Consists of nine papers of descriptive type, including compulsory Indian language, English, Essay, General Studies (four papers), and optional subjects (two papers).
- Interview: The final stage tests the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for a career in civil services.
2. Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE)
Overview: This exam is essential for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in the IITs, NITs, and other top engineering colleges. It is among the hardest exams in India.
Website link: https://jeemain.nta.ac.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
It is divided into JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
- JEE Main: An objective exam covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It is the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
- JEE Advanced: More difficult and requires in-depth knowledge of the subjects. It consists of two papers, each with questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Challenges: High difficulty level, vast syllabus, and intense competition.
3. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
Overview: GATE is conducted for admission to postgraduate engineering programs and for recruitment by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Website link: https://gate2024.iisc.ac.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
The exam is held for various subjects in engineering and science. It includes a single paper with multiple-choice questions and numerical answer-type questions.
Detailed understanding of undergraduate-level subjects and high competition for limited seats and job opportunities.
4. Common Admission Test (CAT)
Overview: CAT is the gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools in India. So, it must be there in the India toughest exam List.
Website link: https://iimcat.ac.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
The exam consists of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
Challenges: High difficulty level of questions, intense competition, and the need for excellent time management skills.
5. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) PG Entrance Exam
Overview: This exam is for admission to postgraduate medical courses at AIIMS, one of the top medical colleges in India.
Website link: https://www.aiimsexams.ac.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually (AIIMS MBBS, now merged with NEET)
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
It includes questions from various subjects of the MBBS course. The exam pattern can vary slightly each year.
Challenges: Requires a thorough understanding of medical subjects and problem-solving skills under time constraints.
6. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
Overview: NEET is conducted for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses (MBBS/BDS) across India.
Website link: https://exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology).
Challenges: Vast syllabus, high competition, and the need for speed and accuracy during the exam.
7. Chartered Accountancy (CA) Exam
Overview: Conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), this exam is essential for becoming a Chartered Accountant. Due to the exam’s difficulty level, it is in the list of toughest exams in India.
Website link: https://www.icai.org/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
It has three levels – CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final.
- CA Foundation: Entry-level exam with four papers.
- CA Intermediate: Consists of eight papers divided into two groups.
- CA Final: The last stage with eight papers, also divided into two groups.
Challenges: Extensive syllabus, rigorous training, and high difficulty level of the exams.
8. Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
Overview: CLAT is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law schools.
Website link: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
The undergraduate exam includes questions on English, General Knowledge, Mathematics, Legal Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning.
Challenges: High difficulty level of questions, especially in Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning, and intense competition.
9. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
Overview: Conducted by XLRI for admission to its management programs, XAT is known for its high difficulty level.
Website link: https://xatonline.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Annually
- Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
The exam includes sections on Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
Challenges: Unique and challenging Decision Making section, and high difficulty level in other sections.
10. National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam
Overview: NDA exam is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA.
The exam consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test.
Website link: https://nda.nic.in/
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Frequency: Twice a year
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
Challenges: Requires strong aptitude in mathematics, general knowledge, and English, followed by a rigorous SSB interview process.
So, these were some toughest exams in India rank wise.
Now that you know the answer to the question- which is the toughest exam in India, let’s finally get into what makes these exams tough.
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What Makes These Exams Tough?
There are many factors that contribute to the toughness of these exams:
- Vast Syllabus: The amount of content to be studied is extensive, requiring thorough preparation.
- High Competition: The number of candidates appearing for these exams is enormous, making the competition fierce.
- Difficulty Level: The questions are designed to test not just knowledge but also analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Multiple Stages: Many exams have multiple stages, each with its own level of difficulty, like prelims, mains, and interviews.
- Time Management: Efficiently managing time during preparation and the actual exam is crucial and challenging.
List Of Toughest Interviews In India
Here you go with a list of toughest interviews in India.
1. UPSC Civil Services Interview
The final stage of the UPSC exam, this interview assesses a candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for a career in civil services. It is known for its unpredictability and the high level of scrutiny by the interview panel. So, yes UPSC conducts the m ost toughest exam in India along with the interview.
2. SSB Interviews for Defence Services
The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process is a comprehensive assessment that includes psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews. It evaluates the candidate’s leadership qualities, mental and physical stamina, and overall suitability for a career in the armed forces.
3. IIMs Personal Interviews
The final stage of the selection process for the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), these interviews test the candidate’s knowledge, communication skills, and personality. The interviewers look for clarity of thought, leadership potential, and motivation for pursuing management education.
4. AIIMS PG Interviews
For admission to postgraduate medical courses at AIIMS, the interview process assesses the candidate’s medical knowledge, clinical skills, and research aptitude. The panel includes experienced doctors and professors who ask challenging questions.
5. ISRO Scientist Interviews
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducts interviews for the recruitment of scientists and engineers. The interview focuses on the candidate’s technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and research potential.
What Are The 10 Toughest Exams In The World?
You must know which are the 10 World’s toughest exams.
1. Gaokao (China)
The National College Entrance Examination, known as Gaokao, is essential for admission to higher education institutions in China. The exam is known for its intense pressure and high stakes. So, it comes at the top when we are talking about the most toughest exam in World.
2. UPSC Civil Services Exam (India)
As previously detailed, this is one of the toughest exams globally due to its extensive syllabus and rigorous selection process.
3. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam (UK)
This exam, conducted by the All Souls College at Oxford University, is the hardest exam in the World. It is known for its extremely challenging and thought-provoking essay questions. Only a few fellowships are awarded each year.
4. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (Worldwide)
Known for its high difficulty level, this exam tests candidates on wine theory, service, and blind tasting. The pass rate is extremely low.
5. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam (Worldwide)
The CFA exam consists of three levels and covers topics like investment management, financial analysis, and ethical standards. It requires extensive preparation and a deep understanding of finance.
6. GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
GRE is required for admission to many graduate programs worldwide. It tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
7. Mensa IQ Test
The Mensa IQ Test is designed to identify individuals with exceptionally high IQs. It includes a variety of challenging puzzles and questions that test logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
8. GATE (India)
As previously detailed, the GATE exam is a rigorous test for postgraduate engineering admissions and recruitment by PSUs. It covers a comprehensive syllabus and demands a deep understanding of engineering concepts.
9. IIT-JEE (India)
Also detailed earlier, the IIT-JEE is one of the toughest engineering entrance exams globally, with a high level of difficulty and extensive syllabus.
10. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
The USMLE is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. It tests the physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles that are essential for effective patient care. It is also one of the most difficult exam in the world.
Strategies To Crack Toughest Exams
No matter which exam you’re preparing for, you must know the syllabus and exam pattern. In this section, you’ll read some strategies that will help you.
- Start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus and exam pattern. Knowing what to expect helps you focus on important topics and allocate your time efficiently.
- Plan a study schedule that covers all subjects and allows for revision. Break down your study sessions into manageable chunks. This will ensure consistent progress without burnout.
- A strong grasp of basic concepts is essential. Prioritize understanding over rote learning, as this forms the foundation for tackling complex problems.
- Practice regularly with sample papers and previous years’ question papers. Taking mock tests helps simulate the exam environment, improves time management, and identifies weak areas that need more attention.
- Last but not least, regular revision consolidates your learning. Thus, don’t hesitate to seek help from teachers or peers to clear doubts promptly, ensuring a thorough understanding of all topics.
Final Words
Preparing for these tough exams requires dedication, strategic planning, and resilience. Thus, understanding the challenges and setting realistic goals can help you navigate through the preparation phase more effectively.
Also, success in these exams opens doors to prestigious careers and opportunities, making the effort worthwhile. Hence, stay focused, manage your time well, and keep pushing towards your goal.
These exams not only test your academic knowledge but also your perseverance, problem-solving skills, and time management abilities. Therefore, if you’re aiming to tackle any of these, start early, plan meticulously, and stay committed to your goal. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination.
