Overview
The public security joint examination (公安联考) is the route into the civil service as a People's Police officer in China. The details below come from the Jiangsu province 2026 announcement for police posts, published by the provincial civil service bureau on 31 October 2025. Other provinces publish their own notices and can differ, so read the notice for your province.
Who can apply
For the Jiangsu 2026 round:
Age 18 to 38 (born between November 1986 and November 2007). Fresh 2026 master's graduates from regular universities may be up to 43.
Positions at prefecture-level city level and below are generally limited to age 30 (35 for fresh master's graduates and forensic posts), and special police (特警) positions to age 25.
Education follows the position table. Special police positions may accept secondary-school or high-school education.
Candidates must also meet the general Jiangsu civil service conditions and the political and conduct requirements. Among other bars, someone who spent six or more continuous months abroad, so that their time there cannot be reviewed, cannot be hired.
Exam pattern
Ordinary positions go through these steps in order:
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Written test | Two public subjects: Administrative Aptitude Test (行政职业能力测验, 9:00 to 11:00) and Shenlun essay (申论, 14:00 to 16:30). Category B positions add a police professional subject |
| Physical ability test (体能测评) | Candidates are selected from those passing the written test at a 5 to 1 ratio to vacancies |
| Interview (and professional ability test for some posts) | Selected at a 3 to 1 ratio; the pass mark is 60 |
| Medical examination | 1 to 1 |
| Background check and public notice | Final steps before appointment; the notice lasts at least 5 working days |
Special technical positions (codes 50 to 59) follow a different order: a physical test at a 10 to 1 ratio, a skills test at 8 to 1, a psychological assessment and a medical examination.
Marking and results
For ordinary positions, the written score is 50 percent Administrative Aptitude Test and 50 percent Shenlun. Category B adds the police professional subject, weighted 40, 30 and 30 percent. The final score combines the written test (50 percent) and the interview (50 percent). Where a professional ability test is held, the weights are 50 percent written, 35 percent interview and 15 percent professional ability. For special technical positions, the written test counts 20 percent and the skills test 80 percent; the psychological assessment is not scored.
Important dates
In Jiangsu for 2026 recruitment, the police professional subject was held on 6 December 2025 and the public subjects on 7 December 2025. Written scores and pass marks were due in mid-January 2026. Fresh graduates had to provide their diploma and degree certificate by 31 August 2026 (31 December 2026 for fresh doctoral graduates).
After the exam
Appointees serve a one-year probation and a minimum service period of five years.
Preparation tips
Read your province's notice for the position code, as ratios, weights, and the professional subject depend on the position.
Prepare for the physical test separately from the written papers, since only the top written scorers, at a 5 to 1 ratio to vacancies, are invited to it (10 to 1 for special technical posts).