How can meritocracy lead to social mobility?

• A. By rewarding seniority and length of service.
• B. By guaranteeing promotion to all regardless of skill.
• C. By having good qualifications and skills through the education system.
• D. By limiting access to higher education.

Answer: (C)

Meritocracy is about distributing rewards and opportunities based on demonstrated ability and effort, often through what you achieve in education and the credentials you earn. When the education system provides solid qualifications and develops valuable skills, these signals of competence become portable assets in the job market. Employers and institutions tend to reward those with relevant skills and proven knowledge, so individuals can move into higher-status roles and better opportunities because of what they have demonstrated, not who their family is.

This mechanism is what enables social mobility: people from different backgrounds can rise (or fall) based on their own merit, as shown by their qualifications and capabilities. The other ideas—relying on seniority, guaranteeing promotions regardless of skill, or restricting access to higher education—do not support mobility through merit. Seniority rewards time served rather than ability; promoting without regard to skill undermines merit signals; and limiting education blocks people from acquiring the credentials that signaling merit and unlocking better opportunities depend on.

So, having good qualifications and skills through the education system best explains how meritocracy can facilitate social mobility.