Return to research with professional experience

First, this is not a uniform nationwide admissions system, but an admission category each university and each graduate program independently sets up or doesn't. The core logic isn't 'being a bit older is enough', but treating work experience as one of the filing qualifications — the common keywords are 'currently employed', 'practical work experience', 'a work-history/activity report', 'a letter of recommendation', 'an employer's exam-taking approval letter', 'a research proposal', 'a preliminary interview', and 'eligibility pre-screening'. Whether a working-professional slot exists, whether employment is required, the years of work experience needed (some programs require '2+ years of practical work experience' plus a recommendation from the employer), and whether an employer's recommendation is required must all be confirmed item by item, per graduate program [verify]. The biggest misconception is equating it with 'interview only, no written exam': official samples show it often weakens, replaces, or restructures the general-admission academic written exam, but doesn't necessarily remove it entirely — some programs run document screening + interview, while others still keep a written exam testing logical thinking and writing ability, combined with a research-proposal interview.