An indication of more Chinese seeking the security of civil service jobs came Sunday when about 775,000 of them took the test for 13,500 government jobs.

The tests were given in 38 cities and the response showed that more young and educated Chinese want to serve in the government, China Daily reported. The report said economists also said such jobs offer security at a time when jobs are becoming increasingly tough to get.

"I didn't think of beating so many candidates for a job when I applied for a position offered in the ministry of education," a post-graduate student at Nanjing University was quoted as saying.

"But I have to because I've submitted my resume to about 60 firms and got only 10 replies, and no offers."

China Daily said 98 percent of those who took the test Sunday weren't expected to pass. To ensure fairness, local educational departments working with police had set up systems to crack down on cheaters, including those who use wireless apparatus and the Internet.

Results of the test will be announced next month, China Daily said.