Hardest Subjects – What Makes a Course or Exam Really Tough?

When talking about hardest subjects, areas of study or certification that consistently challenge the largest number of learners. Also known as most demanding courses, they usually combine high content volume, strict grading, and limited preparation time.

One major professional license, a credential that proves you can legally practice a regulated profession. Examples include the Bar Exam, ATPL for pilots, and medical board exams. These licences demand both theoretical mastery and practical skill, turning them into some of the hardest subjects out there.

Another key player is the school board exam, a nationwide standardized test that determines academic progression. In India, the CBSE and state boards, as well as China’s Gaokao, are notorious for their low pass rates and intense preparation schedules, making board exams a classic example of a hardest subject scenario.

Within higher education, the IIT branch, a specialized engineering discipline at India's Indian Institutes of Technology often sparks debate about difficulty. Branches like Computer Science, Electrical, and Mathematics & Computing have distinct curricula, but all share a reputation for rigorous coursework, competitive entrance exams, and demanding project work.

These entities intersect in clear ways: hardest subjects encompass professional licenses, hardest subjects require mastery of school board exams, and hardest subjects influence choice of IIT branch. Understanding the attributes of each helps students pick the right preparation strategy.

Why Some Subjects Feel Tougher Than Others

Difficulty usually stems from three core attributes: content depth, assessment style, and resource availability. Deep content means you must absorb large volumes of theory—think of physics equations or legal statutes. Assessment style covers how you’re tested; high‑stakes exams with negative marking raise anxiety. Finally, resource availability touches on coaching quality, study material, and peer support. When all three align, the subject lands squarely in the "hardest" category.

Take the Bar Exam: it packs extensive constitutional law, contracts, and procedure into a two‑day test, uses a mix of multiple‑choice and essays, and offers limited free prep resources. Compare that to a typical high‑school chemistry class, which covers less material, uses regular quizzes, and provides abundant textbooks. The contrast highlights why professional licences sit at the top of the difficulty ladder.

Board exams like the CBSE also illustrate this pattern. They cover a full year's syllabus across subjects, rely heavily on a single set of high‑stakes papers, and often lack tailored tutoring in remote areas. As a result, students from well‑served schools may find the exam manageable, while others struggle significantly.

In the IIT world, the difficulty isn’t just about the entrance test (JEE) but continues through the four‑year curriculum. CSE students juggle algorithms, hardware design, and extensive lab work, while EE peers handle power systems and signal processing. Both paths demand sustained effort, making the choice of branch a personal difficulty assessment.

Recognizing these patterns lets you anticipate the challenges ahead. If you plan to tackle a professional licence, start building a study schedule early, focus on practice exams, and seek mentors who've passed. For board exams, gather past papers, join study groups, and allocate time for each subject proportionally. When eyeing an IIT branch, assess your strengths in math and physics to pick the discipline that aligns with your aptitude.

Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that break down each of these tough areas—comparisons of curricula, exam strategies, licensing insights, and branch‑specific tips. Dive in to see which hardest subject matches your goals and how to conquer it.