What is the hardest maths exam?

Apart from university individual written examinations,I would say the hardest maths exam for around year 13 (based on what I know) would British MathematicalOlympiad Round or Sixth Term Examination Papers

Oxbridge universities entrance Step maths exams are the hardest The STEP typically consists of several papers, each with challenging mathematical problems that assess a candidate's problem-solving capabilities. The STEP exam was previously formed of three papers (STEP I, STEP II, and STEP III), but as of 2021, only STEP II and STEP III are used for UK university

Proof of theorems could be the hardest part of the exams. If it is very well understood how each theorem works, it is no big deal. Exercises with combined theory from different mathematical chapters and fields could also be difficult. What is required? Knowing and studying the theory very well and thoroughly.

Many consider the Putnam Exam the hardest.

No it's not hard… first of all you should calm and then think about the solution.if you have right tutor then it will be very easy for you.

Nothing is hard if you work hard

Nothing is hard if you are determined to achieve something.And a proper guidance can make this more easy.

Personally I would say that the calculator paper is the hardest. For non-calculator papers, they tend to keep the numbers quite nice and stick to equations etc (because you won’t have a calculator with you), whereas with a calculator paper, they make them slightly harder because you have a calculator so can do more complex sums. However, if you learn methods of each question and exam top tips, you’ll be fine for all of them!

Hello Melanie, I think "hard" is a matter of perspective. Exams like STEP and MAT for University entry are often considered challenging, however, what matters is preparing well and building confidence step by step! Hope this helps! :)

Hi Melanie, I have always taught Edexcel and I feel it the most robust, it is the most popular.

Depends on what level your on about in GCSE most people tend to say it's paper 3 but paper 2 has mild difficulty as there's no calculator to work with and start you off

to me STEP is the hardest. STEP is a university admission test. You are not allowed to use a calculator or a formula sheet. Each question in step is long and requires a powerful mathematical sense

For those in the UK 17-18, I would rank them as follows (easiest to hardest): AS Maths, AS Further Maths, A level Maths, A level Further Maths, Senior Maths Challenge TMUA, AEA, MAT, STEP, BMO

When you go deeper into mathematics you will end up being solving Data Science problems which I am doing right now. But I have never felt it to be tough. Some students might be slow to solve the problems but they will solve it eventually.

For GCSE Maths, many students find Paper 1 (the non-calculator paper) the hardest, as it requires mental maths and algebraic manipulation, making topics like fractions and simultaneous equations tricky. At A-Level, Paper 2 in both Maths and Further Maths is often the most challenging, covering calculus, trigonometric identities, and proofs. The non-calculator sections add pressure, especially with advanced algebra and differentiation. Of course, this varies by individual—what one student finds manageable might be another’s toughest challenge! A tip would be to realise what you find challenging and put more focus on those areas.

I'd say A-levels, because most students struggle understanding calculus

I would say sri lankan A level maths exam is one of the hardest exams in the world.