While difficulty is subjective and depends on an individual’s academic background and preparation, several entrance exams in the United States are widely regarded as among the most challenging due to their rigorous content, low pass or acceptance rates, and high stakes.
1. United States Medical Licensing Examination
Though technically a licensing exam, the USMLE Step 1 (historically, now pass/fail) and Step 2 CK are often considered among the most difficult standardized tests due to the immense volume of medical knowledge required. It is a critical gateway for securing competitive residency placements.
2. California Bar Exam
Widely considered the hardest bar exam in the country, it has a historically low pass rate—often below 50 percent—even for repeat takers. It spans multiple days and tests knowledge across 13 legal subjects.
3. Graduate Record Examination for Competitive Programs
While the GRE itself is not inherently the hardest test, achieving top percentiles (especially in quantitative reasoning for engineering or physics PhD programs) is extremely demanding and essential for admission to elite institutions like MIT or Stanford.
4. Medical College Admission Test
The MCAT is a comprehensive, 7.5 hour exam covering biology, biochemistry, physics, psychology, and critical analysis. It is known for its depth, length, and the integration of scientific concepts with reasoning skills. Top medical schools often admit students scoring in the 90th percentile or higher.
5. Foreign Service Officer Test
Administered by the U.S. Department of State, this exam is notoriously selective, with a written test pass rate near 40 percent, followed by an even more rigorous oral assessment. It evaluates not just knowledge but judgment, adaptability, and communication under pressure.
6. Certified Public Accountant Exam
While a professional certification exam, the CPA Exam is often required for career advancement and is known for its breadth, depth, and low pass rates—typically between 45 and 55 percent per section.
Among traditional undergraduate entrance exams, the SAT and ACT are not considered “hard” in an absolute sense, but achieving a near perfect score (e.g., 1550+ on the SAT) is statistically rare and highly competitive for Ivy League admissions.
In summary, the MCAT, USMLE, and California Bar Exam are most frequently cited as the hardest entrance or licensing exams in the U.S. due to their content density, duration, and impact on professional futures. Success on any of these exams requires extensive preparation, discipline, and a deep mastery of complex material.