Top 6 Hardest Exams in the USA in 2025
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If you’ve ever wondered which exams are the hardest to crack in the U.S., you’re not alone. Whether you want to become a doctor, lawyer, nurse, accountant, or finance expert— there are seriously tough exams waiting for you. These tests aren’t just about book smarts. They test your patience, pressure-handling, and real-world thinking.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top 6 hardest exams in the USA in 2025—including what makes them so difficult, how long you’ll need to prepare, pass rates, and what it really takes to succeed. If you’re up for a challenge (and a great career), keep reading!
What Are the Top Hardest Exams in the USA in 2025?
In 2025, some of the toughest exams in the United States continue to challenge students and professionals across fields like medicine, law, finance, nursing, and accounting. These exams don’t just test how much you know—they test how well you think under pressure, solve real-world problems, and apply your knowledge in practical settings. What makes these exams so difficult:
- Large syllabus
- Strict exam patterns
- Low pass rates
- And in many cases, years of preparation
If you’re planning to become a doctor, nurse, lawyer, accountant, or financial analyst, these are the exams you’ll likely face—and they’re known to be some of the hardest in the country. Below is the overview of top 6 hardest exams in the USA:
| Exam Name | Why It’s Hard |
| USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) | Required to become a doctor in the U.S. Pass rate for international students: ~76% Prep time: 6–12 months per step |
| CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam | Needed to be a licensed accountant Avg. pass rate: 45–60% Requires 300–400 study hours |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examination) | Entry test for graduate school, tests math, vocabulary, and writing Top scores are above 160 Prep time: 2–4 months |
| Bar Exam | Required to practice law in the U.S. and Includes multiple formats (essays, MCQs, performance tasks) Pass rate varies: 40–75% Some states like California are especially tough |
| CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam | For careers in investment and finance Less than 15% pass all levels in one go Requires over 1,000 hours of study |
| NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam) | Required to become a licensed nurse (RN/PN) Computer-adaptive format RN pass rate: ~85% for U.S. grads, ~45% for international grads Test has 85–150 questions |
Why Is the USMLE Considered One of the Toughest Exams in the USA?
The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is a three-part test that all doctors must pass to practice medicine in the U.S. It’s not only challenging because of its medical content, but also because of its length, pressure, and multi-year preparation process. Whether you’re a US medical graduate or an international medical student, this exam is considered one of the most intense and high-stakes tests in the world.
It is required by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), and no one can become a licensed physician in the US without passing all three steps. Following are the various reasons that make USMLE so hard:
- Step 1 tests basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry.
- Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) focuses on diagnosing and managing real-life patient cases, often under time pressure.
- Step 3 evaluates whether you can make independent clinical decisions, without supervision—this is required for full licensure.
Each step is designed not just to test memory, but to challenge your ability to think like a doctor under real-world clinical conditions. Following are the key statistics for USMLE:
| Feature | Details |
| Number of Steps | 3 (Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3) |
| Step 1 Format | ~280 multiple-choice questions over 8–9 hours |
| Step 2 CK Format | ~318 questions across multiple blocks in 9 hours |
| Step 3 Format | Taken over 2 days; includes case simulations and 400+ questions |
| Pass Rate (U.S. Students) | Step 1: ~94% Step 2 CK: ~96% |
| Pass Rate (International Students) | Step 1: ~76% Step 2 CK: ~85% |
| Total Test Duration | Over 20 hours across 3 steps |
| Recommended Prep Time | 6 to 12 months per step |
| Test Centers | Prometric centers in the U.S. and select international locations |
| Cost per Step | $645 (Step 1 & 2), ~$895 (Step 3) + international fees if applicable |
What Makes the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam So Difficult for Accounting Professionals?
If you want to become a licensed accountant in the United States, passing the CPA Exam is a must. But this test is known for being one of the hardest professional exams in the business and finance world. The CPA exam is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is required by all 50 U.S. states.
In 2024, the CPA exam underwent a major update under the CPA Evolution model, focusing more on technology and data analytics—making it even more rigorous. Following are the key reasons that make CPA Exam so hard:
- It includes four separate sections that must all be passed within 18 months.
- The exam now tests advanced knowledge in areas like data governance, automation, ethics, and tax law.
- The questions are often scenario-based, requiring critical thinking—not just textbook answers.
- It requires deep understanding of U.S. GAAP, auditing standards, business law, and federal taxation.
Following is CPA Exam overview:
| Exam Component | Details & Statistics |
| What are these sections? | 1. AUD (Auditing & Attestation) 2. FAR (Financial Accounting & Reporting) 3. REG (Regulation) 4. BAR (Business Analysis & Reporting) or another discipline (under CPA Evolution) |
| Average Pass Rate (2024) | AUD: ~48% FAR: ~44% REG: ~59% BAR: ~50–55% (discipline-based score estimates) |
| Test Duration | Each section: 4 hours Total: 16 hours of testing |
| Time to Complete All 4 Sections | Must pass all within 18 months after passing the first |
| Recommended Study Time | 300–400 hours total (~75–100 hours per section) |
| Cost per Section | ~$250 per section + application & registration fees |
| Format | Computer-based; includes multiple choice questions, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks |
| Test Windows | Now offered year-round at Prometric testing centers |
How Challenging Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for Students Applying to Graduate School?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the most widely accepted standardized tests for graduate and business school admissions in the U.S. it remains one of the hardest tests for students because of its adaptive testing format, wide-ranging syllabus, and competitive scoring expectations—especially for top-tier universities.
The GRE is conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is accepted by more than 1,200 graduate programs in the U.S., including Ivy League and STEM-focused institutions. Below are various reasons as to why GRE exam considered difficult:
- It tests a wide mix of skills, including math, vocabulary, reading comprehension, logic, and essay writing.
- The verbal section includes high-level vocabulary, making it difficult even for native English speakers.
- The quantitative section is challenging due to tricky wording, data interpretation, and time pressure.
- The test is adapted by section—if you do well in the first part, the next part becomes harder.
- It demands both accuracy and speed in high-pressure conditions.
Following are the key details of GRE Exam:
| Category | Details |
| Purpose | Required for admission into graduate and business programs in the U.S. |
| Test Sections | 1. Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) 2. Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) 3. Analytical Writing (2 essays) |
| Test Format | Computer-adaptive by section (difficulty adjusts based on performance) |
| Total Duration | ~3 hours 45 minutes |
| Scoring Range | Verbal & Quant: 130–170 each Analytical Writing: 0–6 scale |
| Top 10% Scores | Verbal: 162+ Quant: 166+ |
| Average Score (2024) | Verbal: 150.6 Quant: 154.4 Writing: 3.6 |
| Test-Takers Per Year | Over 500,000+ students worldwide (ETS Data) |
| Recommended Prep Time | Average: 2–3 months Top scorers: 4–6 months (150–200 hours) |
| Cost | ~$220 (U.S.), varies internationally |
| Retake Policy | Can be taken once every 21 days, up to 5 times in a year |
Why Is the Bar Exam One of the Most Feared Tests for Law Students in the USA?
The Bar Exam is the final—and most difficult—step for law graduates who want to become licensed attorneys in the United States. Most states now follow the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) format, which includes multiple-choice questions, written essays, and practical legal writing exercises.
What makes it especially scary is the sheer volume of material covered, the limited time to answer complex legal problems, and the high stakes—failing means delaying your legal career by at least six months to a year. The following are the various reasons why bar exams are so hard?
- It tests over a dozen legal subjects, including constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, civil procedure, torts, ethics, and more.
- The two-day format includes both academic theory and real-world legal tasks like writing memos or briefs.
- It’s not open book, and most questions are deliberately tricky, requiring close attention to facts, language, and legal nuance.
Even graduates from top law schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia enroll in Bar prep courses because the exam demands a totally different style of learning and answering. Below is the overview of Bar Exam:
| Category | Details |
| Purpose | Required to practice law and obtain a legal license in any U.S. state |
| Administered By | State Bar Associations; most follow the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) |
| Test Format | Day 1: MEE (Multistate Essay Exam) + MPT (Performance Test) Day 2: MBE (Multistate Bar Exam – 200 MCQs) |
| Exam Duration | 2 full days (approx. 12 testing hours total) |
| Subjects Tested | Over 12 core legal areas including civil/criminal law, contracts, property, evidence, torts, constitutional law, and ethics |
| Scoring | UBE score range: 0–400 Passing score varies by state (typically 260–280) California requires a scaled score of 1390 out of 2000 |
| Average Pass Rate (2024) | National average: 60–75% California: ~40% (one of the toughest) |
| First-Time Taker Success Rate | ~75–85%, depending on the law school and prep |
| Retake Policy | Unlimited attempts, but each attempt costs $500–$1,000+ and requires re-preparation |
| Recommended Prep Time | 2–3 months, with 8–12 hours of study per day |
What Makes the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam So Hard to Pass?
The CFA Exam is conducted by the CFA Institute and includes three levels that you must pass in order. Once completed, you earn the CFA designation, which is highly respected in fields like investment banking, portfolio management, and financial analysis. What makes this exam especially hard is that it doesn’t just test facts—it checks if you can apply financial knowledge in real-world scenarios, just like a professional would. Following are various reasons that makes CFA exam so difficult:
- It has three levels, each more challenging than the last.
- The syllabus is huge—over 3,000 pages of reading material in total.
- Questions are case based, so you need to understand and apply concepts, not just memorize them.
- Most people take the exam while working full-time, so it’s hard to find time to study.
- Even experienced finance professionals find it tough due to the depth of knowledge and low pass rates.
Following is CFA Exam overview:
| Category | Details |
| Levels | Level I: Basics like ethics, investment tools, and statistics Level II: Focus on real-world applications, modeling, and asset valuation Level III: Portfolio management, planning, and advanced strategies |
| Format | All tests are computer-based. Each level has 2 sessions of 2.25 hours (total ~4.5 hours per day) |
| Content Volume | Over 3,000 pages of material to study |
| Study Time Needed | Around 300–400 hours per level → Over 1,000 hours total |
| How Many People Take It? | In 2023, 150,000+ candidates from 170+ countries |
| Pass Rates (2023) | Level I: 37% Level II: 44% Level III: 48% Only about 15% pass all three levels on the first try |
| Exam Frequency | Each level is offered several times a year, depending on the location |
| Time to Finish | Most candidates take 3–4 years to complete all levels |
| Eligibility | You need a bachelor’s degree or 4 years of relevant work experience to enroll |
| Cost | About $900–$1,200 per level, plus materials and registration fees |
How Difficult Is the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Aspiring Nurses?
The NCLEX is the exam that every nursing graduate must pass to become a licensed nurse in the U.S.. It’s not a traditional test with a fixed number of questions—instead, it uses a computer-adaptive format that adjusts to your performance in real-time. There are two types of NCLEX exams:
- NCLEX-RN – for those becoming Registered Nurses
- NCLEX-PN – for those becoming Practical or Vocational Nurses
Even though nursing schools prepare you with strong theory and clinical training, the NCLEX is often described as one of the toughest exams in healthcare. Why? Because it doesn’t just test knowledge—it tests your ability to make safe, fast, and effective decisions in real-world patient care situations. Following are the various reasons that make the NCLEX exam so hard:
- It’s computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty changes based on your answers.
- You might get anywhere from 85 to 150 questions, and the test stops automatically when the system determines your ability.
- The questions are scenario-based—testing how you’d respond in real-life situations, not just what you’ve memorized.
- Topics include pharmacology, prioritization, patient safety, nursing interventions, ethics, and more.
- The pressure is high: your nursing license depends on it.
Below is the NCLEX Exam overview:
| Category | Details |
| Administered By | National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) |
| Test Duration | Up to 5 hours (with optional breaks) |
| Subjects Covered | Safety & infection control, pharmacology, patient care, delegation, nursing procedures, and ethics |
| Pass Rate (2024) | U.S.-educated RN candidates: ~82% International RN candidates: ~43% PN candidates (U.S.): ~79% |
| Number of Test-Takers | Over 300,000 candidates take the NCLEX annually |
| Preparation Time | Most students study for 2–3 months, using mock exams, flashcards, and case-based review |
| Test Availability | Year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers |
| Cost | $200 (U.S.), additional fees for international test-takers |
Conclusion
So, what’s the secret to passing the hardest exams in the U.S.? It’s not just about studying longer—it’s about studying smarter. Whether it’s the USMLE, Bar Exam, CPA, or CFA, each one demands focus, dedication, and the ability to apply what you’ve learned under real pressure. But here’s the good news: every top scorer started where you are right now. With the right prep plan, positive mindset, and consistent effort—you can conquer even the most challenging exams.
And while you’re focusing on passing these exams, don’t stress about where to live. Platforms like University Living help students like you find safe, verified, and affordable accommodation near top universities and test centers in the USA. Book early, settle in comfortably, and stay focused on what truly matters—your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which exam is considered the hardest in the USA in 2025?
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is widely regarded as the hardest exam due to its multi-step format, long duration, low international pass rates, and in-depth clinical focus.
Is the CPA Exam tougher than the GRE?
Yes, the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam is more specialized and has a lower average pass rate (45% to 60%). It covers complex accounting, auditing, and regulatory topics across four sections. The GRE, while challenging, is a general test for graduate school entry.
What is the passing rate for the USMLE for international students?
In 2025, the USMLE Step 1 pass rate for international medical graduates is about 76%, making it a tough hurdle for non-U.S. students.
How long does it take to prepare for the CFA Exam?
The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam takes 3–4 years to complete all three levels. Each level requires 300–400 hours of prep, totaling over 1,000 hours for the entire program.
How many questions are there in the NCLEX exam?
The NCLEX uses a computer-adaptive format. Candidates may receive anywhere from 85 to 150 questions depending on performance.
What score do I need to aim for in the GRE to get into a top U.S. grad school?
Top universities prefer a GRE verbal score of 162+ and quantitative score of 166+. Analytical writing scores of 4.5+ are also considered competitive.
Why is the Bar Exam so feared among law students?
The Bar Exam covers over a dozen legal subjects, has a two-day format, and includes essays, MCQs, and performance tests. States like California have pass rates as low as 40%.
