The jump in the number of people signing up for the exams has frequently been reported in the media with headlines such as "Test-takers Seek Life-Long Meal Ticket from the State," "The Best Career Move in a Bad Economy," or "Such-and-such Exam Sees Lowest Pass Rate Ever," striking fear into the hearts of test-takers.
報考人數激增，媒體不時以「考進長期飯票，讓國家養」、「不景氣下最夯的就業選擇」、「XX 考試又創下錄取率新低」為話題，揪緊考生的心。