In a way, randomness would be preferable because those with ability (who otherwise wouldn't meet the criteria or pass the tests) would get a chance to succeed. The ones that flunk out would make room for some more random attempts. Eventually the system would settle into a steady-state of X% of previously-found high performers and Y% of ever-rotating randoms, where occasionally one of the randoms moves into the high-performers group.

This stuff also continues to reinforce and highlight how arbitrary and capricious success often is; many people are successful as much for their family/money/connections/opportunities as for their actual talent.