Examination System Established in the Han dynasty by Emperors Wen (180-157 BCE) and Wu (140-86 BCE), but gradually “perfected” from the 8th century on. By the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the exam system comprised four stages: Preliminary tests Prefectural examination Provincial examination National examinations

Preliminary Tests County test Test administered in the prefectural capital Become a “pupil” after passing both. Qualified one to go to the prefectural college where you studied for the…

Prefectural Examination Those who passed were called “licentiates” (10-20 per prefecture or approximately 10%), some of whom received stipends from the government. Needed to be competent in writing “eight-legged” essay, though you could also get someone to write the exam for you or bribe the examiner. Although licentiate’s status was not very high, it placed you in the “scholar” class. Many licentiates were poor, but this degree at least allowed you to earn a living as a teacher. Licentiates could approach officials directly, so they had access to power, which gave them “influence” over the lower classes.

Provincial Examination Held every 3 years in the provincial capital. Taken primarily by licentiates, but there were a couple of other ways to get to this point as well. If you passed you became a “provincial graduate” (50 to 100 per province, approximately 10%). Passing this exam was important because it allowed you to become a government official and qualified you to go on to the next set of “national” exams (i.e. it was the gateway to wealth and status).

National Examinations Metropolitan examination Took place every 3 years in Beijing, a year after the provincial exams. 200 to 300 passed, becoming known as “selected scholars” (gongshi). Test examination Taken only by “selected scholars”; few failed. Palace examination Administered by the emperor himself. If successful, you became a “presented/advanced scholar” (jinshi) in one of 3 ranks. All palace graduates could become officials, though even if you declined to accept a post you had a very high social status.

The “Unofficial” Leadership of the Gentry The “gentry” was a class of rural landowners that produced the majority of successful exam candidates. This level of society was crucial because the “official” bureaucracy was too small to effectively deal with most local issues, such as building and repairing roads, constructing irrigation channels, etc. The exam system served as a kind of pressure valve for the huge pool of gentry families: it provided sufficient opportunity for upward social mobility, while ensuring that success would be spread out over several generations. Families weathered the times when they didn’t produce successful exam candidates by maintaining a limited degree of local power, living off their lands and any extras that they could pick up through connections with those of a higher rank.