BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 470,000 people took China's first unified qualification exam for legal professionals Saturday, according to the Ministry of Justice.

The new exam expands the range of candidates, while the previous national judicial exam was only taken by those aiming to become judges, prosecutors, lawyers and notaries.

Starting this year, people aiming to become legal arbitrators and civil servants whose jobs are to review and deliver administrative penalties or offer legal advice are required to pass the new exam.

Also, it was the first time for all candidates to take the exam Saturday using computers, said the Ministry of Justice.

Eight visually impaired candidates applied for the exam this year, the ministry said, noting that they could take the exam with the help of a screen reading system.

Those who passed the test Saturday will be able to take the second phase of the exam on Oct. 20.