The rich can no longer pay to get an EMBA diploma, China's Ministry of Education said yesterday, after raising enrollment standards to require excellent national exam scores and a high level of political awareness.

According to the guidelines on streamlining the MBA programs the MOE issued, the 64 institutes of higher learning currently running EMBA programs can no longer organize entrance exams beginning in December. This year, rather, candidates must take a national entrance exam.

Candidates need to score above a required score designated by the MOE in order to be selected, according to the guidelines.

Apart from academic credentials, candidates will be assessed during their interview on the basis of their personality and capabilities, particularly in the area of political awareness.

Those who fail a political assessment will be disqualified, according to the guidelines.

Moreover, the guidelines prohibit schools awarding diplomas to under-performers, or those not attending enough classes. It also stresses that those who are found to have been involved in bribery will be thoroughly investigated.

The guidelines also focus on the management of overseas study tours offered by MBA programs, saying schools running these programs must establish an approval procedure, and that study tours should not be treated as sightseeing tours.

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