Exam Difficulty and Format: Assessment Demands

Three demands to compare

Content: Use the current blueprint to assess the topics and depth of knowledge required.
Tasks: Multiple-choice items, simulations, performance tasks, and adaptive items require different practice.
Timing: Distinguish content minutes, full sessions, and separate exam sections.

No reviewed difficulty score has been assigned. Your education and experience affect the preparation you need.

Time definitions differ. Ordering time limits does not assign a difficulty score.
#	Exam	Published time	Questions and structure	Source
1	NCLEX-RNHealthcare	Up to 5 hours Maximum, including breaks	85–150 items Variable-length computerized adaptive test, including Next Generation NCLEX item formats.	Format guidance Timing guidance
2	NBCOT OTRHealthcare	4 hours Testing time	180 items Computer-based exam with three- and four-option single-response questions and six-option multi-select scenario sets.	Format guidance Timing guidance
3	ASWB ClinicalHealthcare	4 hours Exam time limit	122 questions Current 2026 format: 110 scored and 12 unscored questions, with a mixture of three- and four-option multiple-choice questions.	Format guidance Timing guidance
4	CPA ExamFinance	4 × 4 hours Four separate sections	4 exam sections Computer-based multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. Core: AUD, FAR and REG. Choose one Discipline: BAR, ISC or TCP. Question counts vary by section.	Format guidance Timing guidance
5	CFA Level IFinance	4 hours 30 minutes Testing time	180 questions Computer-based multiple-choice examination, with 90 questions in each session and three answer choices per question.	Format guidance Timing guidance
6	PMPBusiness	4 hours Testing time	180 questions 170 scored and 10 unscored questions, including single- and multiple-response questions, drag-and-drop and applied case or practicum formats.	Format guidance Timing guidance
7	AWS Solutions Architect – AssociateTechnology	2 hours 10 minutes Published exam duration	65 questions Multiple-choice and multiple-response questions; 50 scored and 15 unscored. Available at Pearson VUE test centers or with online proctoring.	Format guidance Timing guidance
8	CompTIA Security+Technology	1 hour 30 minutes Published exam duration	Maximum 90 questions A mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. English SY0-701 retires June 11, 2027; CompTIA says Security+ V8 is coming in November 2026.	Format guidance Timing guidance
9	FE CivilEngineering	5 hours 20 minutes Testing time	110 questions Computer-based civil engineering examination, offered year-round at approved Pearson test centers. The published pass rate is specific to FE Civil and its qualified cohort.	Format guidance Timing guidance
10	LSATLaw	2 hours 20 minutes + break Timed sections only	4 timed sections Two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section and one unscored section. Argumentative Writing is separate. Most test-takers use testing centers from August 2026.	Format guidance Timing guidance
11	MCATHealthcare	6 hours 15 minutes Testing time	230 questions Four computer-based multiple-choice sections. Three science sections contain 59 questions each; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills contains 53 questions.	Format guidance Timing guidance
12	USMLE Step 1Healthcare	8-hour testing session Full appointment	Up to 280 questions Computer-based multiple-choice examination. For exams on or after May 14, 2026, fourteen blocks contain no more than 20 questions each.	Format guidance Timing guidance
13	FAA AMG Mechanic GeneralAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA AMG knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
14	FAA AMP Mechanic PowerplantAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	100 questions FAA AMP knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
15	FAA CAX Commercial Pilot AirplaneAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	100 questions FAA CAX knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
16	FAA CBG Commercial Pilot Gas BalloonAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA CBG knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
17	FAA CBH Commercial Pilot Hot Air BalloonAviation	3 hours Knowledge-test time	100 questions FAA CBH knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
18	FAA IGI Ground Instructor InstrumentAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	50 questions FAA IGI knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
19	FAA IRA Instrument Rating AirplaneAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA IRA knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
20	FAA IRH Instrument Rating HelicopterAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA IRH knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
21	FAA PAR Private Pilot AirplaneAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PAR knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
22	FAA PBG Private Pilot Gas BalloonAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PBG knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
23	FAA PBH Private Pilot Hot Air BalloonAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PBH knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
24	FAA PGL Private Pilot GliderAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PGL knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
25	FAA PLA Private Pilot AirshipAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PLA knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
26	FAA PPP Private Pilot Powered ParachuteAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PPP knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
27	FAA PRG Private Pilot GyroplaneAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PRG knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
28	FAA PRH Private Pilot HelicopterAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PRH knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
29	FAA PWS Private Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlAviation	2 hours 30 minutes Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA PWS knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
30	FAA RPA Recreational Pilot AirplaneAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	50 questions FAA RPA knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
31	FAA UAG Remote PilotAviation	2 hours Knowledge-test time	60 questions FAA UAG knowledge examination. The knowledge test is one component of the relevant certificate or rating pathway.	Format guidance Timing guidance
32	Introductory SommelierHospitality	45 minutes testing-only	70 multiple-choice questions A written multiple-choice examination. Consult the current issuer guidance for delivery and accommodations.	Format guidance Timing guidance
33	WSET Level 1 Award in BeerHospitality	45 minutes testing-only	30 multiple-choice questions A written multiple-choice examination. Consult the current issuer guidance for delivery and accommodations.	Format guidance Timing guidance
34	WSET Level 2 Award in SakeHospitality	60 minutes testing-only	50 multiple-choice questions A written multiple-choice examination. Consult the current issuer guidance for delivery and accommodations.	Format guidance Timing guidance

Time limits have different definitions; read each row.

1983 exams

Different time scopes

USMLE Step 1 lists an eight-hour session including breaks and a tutorial. MCAT lists content testing minutes with longer seated time. CPA has four separate four-hour sections. The NCLEX maximum includes introductory screens and breaks.

Pass rates and difficulty Compare selected exams Measurement standards

Exam difficulty and format

Three demands to compare

No exams match

Different time scopes