If a guy want to get higher education, say, master's degree, generally speaking, he want to go to a better university to continue his study unless his university is one of the most famous ones. There are two ways for him to choose.
He can be recommanded for admission by his university by right of his wonderful performance during his past three years' study. If he successfully get his diploma, he will sure get the offer. This system is like what in the western countries.
Another way to be admitted to a graduate school is through the entrance examination. If a guy didn't work hard enough to get a fantastic transcript. He can still get the offer through his short term hard working. But he must spare no effort to prepare for the entrance examination for almost a year to garentee his success.
In this way, your past effort and your near term effort would all be admitted. I belive the graduate student enrollment system is really reasonable.