World’s Largest Exams: Gaokao Tops List, NEET UG Ranks 5th with 2 Million+ Applicants

As per a latest report by SBI Research, the biggest tests in the world have been identified through the number of applicants. NEET UG stands at the 5th position with about 25 lakh applications each year. The list also consists of international tests like Gaokao, ENEM and SAT.

Some other Indian competitive examinations whose numbers have been shared in the report include JEE Main, UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), UGC NET and so forth.

World’s Largest Examinations: Check Full List

The following table shows the examinations, countries and approximate number of applications mentioned in the SBI Research report.

Note: The figures above are based on the SBI Research report released on September 30.

How Does China Conduct the Gaokao Exam?

The SBI report highlights that in China, Gaokao, which is the national college entrance examination, is organized using both national standards and provincial level organization.

In 2026, about 1.29 crore students appeared for the Gaokao in China. The examination took place in 7,981 examination centres, 348,000 examination rooms, and 21,000 reserve rooms. Provision was also made for 14,000 plus candidates who had disabilities.

According to the report, the question papers are prepared and printed in very high security and under high surveillance. These question papers are sent to the examination centers in armored and GPS monitored vehicles.

Once the question papers reach the examination centers, they are stored in very high security rooms with monitoring and alarm systems connected with local police departments.

The candidates appearing in the examination are screened for their identity and are checked for prohibited items. The examination rooms are also monitored with video surveillance system.

The examination process requires coordination among various departments for managing traffic noise, food, health care, and weather related problems. Reserve rooms and emergency power arrangements have also been made to ensure that the examinations run smoothly.

It is important to mention here that despite various security arrangements, the report highlights that incidents of theft, cheating, and disruption have taken place in the past.

NEET UG Examination System Under Focus

This research by SBI comes against the backdrop of the NEET UG, which is India’s undergraduate entrance exam for medicine, continuing to figure prominently in issues related to examination security and management.

The report is based on issues related to the security of the NEET UG exam and the need for improved examination security and response measures.

The recommendations are in areas of examination paper security, examination management, and response systems.

SBI Research Report Suggests Measures for India

As per the SBI Research report, India can enhance the process of conducting national-level exams through measures such as ensuring the security of the question papers, marking and the emergency response mechanism.

The report advises that there should be accountability for the storage and transport of the question papers. There must be procedures for delay and reexamination.

Other recommendations include keeping the reserve question papers, alternate centers for taking the exams and offering assistance to the candidates in case of exam disruptions.

Moreover, the report recommends enhancement in anonymous double-marking and scoring audits of the exams. It also recommends the provision of timely reporting of the incidents related to the exams, time-bound appeals and regular monitoring of the disruptions, score corrections and their costs.

The research further recommends the measurement of the effects of exam disruptions and corrections among different sets of candidates, such as the set based on gender, disability, rural, and SC, ST, and OBC.

In general, the report indicates the importance of examination security, infrastructure, emergency plans and transparent procedures for conducting national-level exams.

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