China's public servant exam proves testing ground for graduates

by Xinhua writer Miao Xiaojuan

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's nationwide public servant recruitment system has turned into a seemingly insurmountable challenge for graduates such as Yang Shuo.

Yang, 25, applied for a position in the International Communication Office of Communist Party of China, but with odds of success at 180 to one, he is not confident.

"I dare not say I'm in. I mean, what chance do I have?" he asked.

A job in the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology was an even longer shot, with more than 4,000 applicants going for a single post.

Aspiring public servants in China must sit an annual exam, which is scheduled for Nov. 29 this year. Applicants are required to confirm their registration online from Monday to Saturday, with a payment of 60 yuan (8.8 U.S. dollars).

A record 1.4 million prospects, up 40 percent from last year, are expected to show an interest, although only about a million are expected to actually sit.

However, even that number far outweighs the number of available positions, which is up by 2,000 from last year's 13,566.

The exam includes an administrative aptitude test that focuses on logic, analytical and language skills, and an essay question to test understanding on social and political affairs. Both are considered necessary qualities to be a public servant.

Each applicant can only apply for one post, but all will sit the same exam. Some posts are more popular than others. The qualification and exam score requirements also differ for each post.