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A 'competitive examination' is an examination where candidates are ranked according to their grades. If the examination is open for ''n'' positions, then the first ''n'' candidates in ranks pass, the others are rejected.
Competitive examinations are used in many countries for admissions to colleges or for positions in the civil service. They are considered an egalitarian way of choosing worthy applicants without risking influence peddling, favoritism or other concerns.
China is one country that uses the National College Entrance Examination, a national, annually-held competitive examination of tremendous social influence and effect, to select college students.