Story highlights They are competing to be interviewed for one of 27,000 jobs

Answer 135 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, then 3 hours of essay questions

Beijing (CNN) Imagine taking a five-hour exam just to get a job interview.

That's what nearly one million people did in China Sunday, taking the country's grueling civil service entrance exam, or Guokao.

Test-takers had two hours to answer 135 multiple-choice questions on topics covering language, mathematics, logic, politics, law and culture. That was followed by 3 hours of essay questions.

The exam is only held once a year, so for those taking part, it's do or die.

They are competing for 27,000 jobs. The odds of getting one -- after the exam and a subsequent interview -- are about 36 to 1.

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