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| Imperial Examination System |
| CCTV.COM 2002-05-22 14:05:03 |
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 To recruit officials through open examinations was a great invention of ancient China. It even influenced the West in their formation of civil servants system in modern times.
In ancient China, as society developed, so did the system of recruiting officials. It was hereditary in the Pre－Qin period. That is, hereditary officialdom and emoluments. Following patriarch principles, the king gave enfeoffments according to the closeness of blood relationship. Since the Han Dynasty, a system of assessment and recommendation was adopted. Local governments recommended talents for the court to examine and give appointments. Since the Sui Dynasty, the system of imperial examinations was gradually established. This became the main source of officials for later dynasties.
Unlike former recruitment, the imperial examination system allowed the participation of people from all social stratums, regardless of family background or recommendations. All men, virtuous and healthy, could sit the exams. This enhanced the interfusing of classes and strengthened the social foundation for the ruling political power.
 Imperial examinations were done openly, and graduates were chosen according to marks. Experiences accumulated over the years resulted in a system of fair competition and systematic examination regulations. For instance, to avoid cheating, examiners were asked to live together in a place cut off from the outside world. Their family members were not allowed to sit the exam. Candidates were confined during examinations. And measures were taken to prevent cheating in the evaluation of test papers.
The path to officialdom through imperial examinations was hard and devious for ancient Chinese students. They had to go through provincial and metropolitan examinations first, which weeded out the majority. Only the lucky few could join the final palace examination that took place in the palace and was presided over by the emperor himself. When the examination was over the list of successful candidates was sung out and titles were granted. Winners would be escorted in a parade by palace guards of honor. People poured out into the streets to admire the new graduates. "The night of one's wedding and the day when one's name appears on the golden list." Those were the happiest times for ancient scholars. Many tragedies began here too. For ten years, one pored over his books just to pass the exam and win a post. It doubtlessly caused the alienation of the character of many students.
Since the contents of imperial examinations were narrow and stereotyped, and since written examinations alone did not show the candidates' practical experience, the system of imperial examinations gradually lost its vitality and hindered the development of society. Nevertheless, it did play an active role in the development of culture and education. It spurred the enthusiasm of hard studies too. It also raised the quality of the officials and strengthened the social foundation of the ruling class by selecting the cream from all levels of life. The open and fair policies it upheld have a longstanding value though some of them were unrealized even then.
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