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From USMLE in the US to PLAB in the UK, several medical entrance exams across the world are known for their vast syllabus, high level of difficulty, and very low pass rates.
India’s NEET UG is counted among the most difficult exams in the world. (Representational image)
With re-NEET set to be conducted on June 21, students are once again preparing for the national level medical exam in India. But have you ever wondered if India’s NEET exam is the toughest in the world, or do doctors in other countries face an even more complex web of exams?
Given the sensitive nature of this profession, which deals directly with human life, many countries have established extremely rigorous standards for medical entrance and licensing exams. From the USMLE in the US to the PLAB in the UK, several medical entrance exams across the world are known for their vast syllabus, high level of difficulty, and very low pass rates. Let’s look at five of the toughest medical exams in the world that must be cleared to qualify as a doctor.
Which Are The Toughest Medical Entrance Exams In The World?
NEET is not only one of the toughest entrance exams in India but also ranks among the most difficult globally. Clearing NEET is compulsory for admission to an MBBS programme in an Indian medical college. Similar to NEET, medical entrance exams in many other countries are also considered extremely challenging.
1. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) – America
Clearing the USMLE is mandatory to practise as a doctor in the United States. It is regarded as one of the most demanding and exhaustive exams in the world. Conducted in three separate stages, it often takes candidates several years to complete. It rigorously assesses theoretical knowledge, practical skills, clinical competence, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
2. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) – US and Canada
To gain admission to a medical college in the US or Canada, you must appear for the MCAT. This computer-based exam lasts for more than 7.5 hours. It includes questions not only from biology but also from physics, chemistry, psychology, and critical analysis, and is so challenging that even top-performing students find it extremely demanding.
3. PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board) – UK
Doctors who wish to practise in the United Kingdom must clear the PLAB exam. It has two parts. The first part is a written test, while the second part (PLAB 2) is a practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Candidates are assessed using simulated patients and real clinical scenarios, where even a minor mistake can lead to failure.
4. Chengdu and China’s Medical Entrance Examinations (Gaokao)
Medical entrance exams in China are known for their unique and stringent selection process. Because of China’s large population and the strict standards of its top medical colleges, students must clear highly demanding science and mathematical analytical tests just to begin their medical studies, and the success rate is very low.
Where Does NEET Stand?
India’s NEET UG is counted among the most difficult exams in the world. The primary reason is its high level of difficulty, but an even bigger challenge is the intense competition. Every year, over 20 to 25 lakh candidates appear for this exam for a limited number of government seats. Even a one-mark difference can crush students’ dreams of becoming doctors, making it one of the most mentally exhausting exams globally.
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