Participating in the exam were 2,109 candidates, from 36 high schools, continuing education centers, secondary and high schools; ethnic minority boarding secondary and high schools in districts and the provincial Ethnic Boarding High School. Candidates took the tests in Citizenship Education, Literature; History and Geography in the morning and those in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, Information Technology and English in the afternoon. Each test took 180 minutes.

The exam is held annually to assess capacity of students, encourage and promote talent training at educational establishments in the province. Through the exam, the Department of Education and Training will select the best students for intensive training to take part in the national exam for excellent students in the next school year.