California Code, Government Code - GOV § 18937

The passing mark for an examination may be other than the true percentage or average published as a part of the announcement of the examination, if deemed by the department or a designated appointing power to be justified in order to provide an adequate eligible list or to adjust for the apparent difficulty of an examination. In establishing any eligible list or promotional list following an examination, the names of the persons who have attained the passing mark in such examination shall be placed on the list in the order of final earned ratings, except as such order may be modified by the application of veterans' preferences. When the order of names has been determined after applying the appropriate veterans' preference credits, the department may thereafter limit to suit the needs of the service the number of names to be placed on the employment list.