Travel or exam
The National Civil Service Examination (NCSE), local civil service examinations, the Selective Service Examination and the Selection Examination are collectively called public examinations.
“Shandong Province, there is a special tour group, to different provinces and cities to take turns to the exam (public), “They take exams in different provinces and cities, aiming to pass at least one.” Exam master Zhang Xuefeng said.
Yin Hang, a freshman who has participated in 8 cities and 12 public exams, she said, “If there is no conflict in time, I can take at least 15 exams a year.”
In her opinion, this way of tolerance is very high.
All over the “tour”, Yin believes that if you only take the exam in one city, the chances of landing the exam will be far lower than other tourists.
“Society’s messages have created a sense of urgency and anxiety among students, making them feel they need to be well-prepared. I see this as a personal choice, not something driven by extreme emotions, and it deserves respect.”said Xiong Fang, an associate professor at Northwest University of Political Science and Law.
Yin thinks limiting oneself to one city significantly lowers the chances of success compared to those who tour multiple towns. “If you only take two exams yearly, the risk is too high. Unless you have absolute confidence in your abilities, it’s hard to succeed with just one or two attempts.” she said.
A fresh start for the successful
Civil service positions are considered the best jobs in China. Successful candidates may need to move their entire family to a new city.
“But for the 12th exam, I got on, but it takes at least six hours to get home to a township 500 kilometres from home.”
Yin believes the civil service is “the best way out” for arts majors like her. As for the exam tours, she says, “I don’t care where I pass. My parents are civil servants, and I’ve always been encouraged to pursue this path. Besides, many Chinese people are dedicated to the system.”
My undergraduate degree is a cold major; the country may not even have 1000 people enrolled. I can only take three unlimited positions.(There is no limit to household registration, no limit to major, no limit to academic qualifications; the number of applicants will be large.)
In civil service exams, your major matters more than your university.
Later, Yin’s parents suggested she study abroad in Thailand for a liberal arts degree. The program was short, the graduation requirements needed to be lowered, and it was relatively inexpensive. Most importantly, it would broaden her options when applying for civil service positions.
To increase their chances, many candidates pursue a second bachelor’s degree, domestic graduate studies, overseas education, or adult education to switch to a more favorable major for the civil service exams.
Hong Tong, Yin’s friend, laughed: “Choosing the right major is like having one foot in the door of a civil service job.”
“The cost of exam tours is not trivial. Travel expenses, transportation, and exam fees add up. A week-long interview preparation course can cost 15,000 RMB (2,000 Euros).” Yinhang mother said.
Every “exam tourist” vividly remembers critical decision-making moments—before choosing positions, selecting exam locations, or even deciding among multiple offers. Their plans, including relocation, career direction, and building new social networks, hinge on these decisions, requiring careful consideration.