There are differences between the two in examination time, examination content and examination requirements. The national civil service examination, the examination time is mostly set in one or two weeks after the National Day every year, and the candidates are mostly fresh graduates of that year.

Most provinces will take the entrance exam, and the time is probably in March and April every year. There are relatively few positions for fresh graduates of the provincial civil service examination. Unless there are local requirements, people in the society can apply for the exam, but the provincial civil service exam will be limited by academic qualifications or household registration.