Prior to the Chinese Communist Party's 18th Party Congress, a number of works attempted to predict the results of the elite recruitment and turnover that was about to occur. While these predictions were generally successful, mistakes were made and now afford us the opportunity to reassess our understanding of the CCP's elite recruitment process. Using an in-depth literature review, comparative studies and multiple regression analysis, we attempt to improve our ability to analyze and explain this process. We also discuss Hu Jintao's resignation from the post of party secretary and the chair of the Central Military Commission, which should strengthen the CCP's pattern of a peaceful transition of power, and reduce the influence of party elders on political decisions. Finally, we discuss factional politics, which continued to play a role in the recruitment process. While factions weakened among the Politburo Standing Members, they are likely to have a stronger influence in 2017 during the 19th Party Congress.