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: 

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: 

1. Step 1 tests basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. 

2. Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) focuses on diagnosing and managing real-life patient cases, often under time pressure. 

3. 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: 

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: 

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: 

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: 

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: 

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: 

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. 

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