Chinese Exam System

General Education

Why have an education system?

Separate between Bureaucrats (Educated Elite) and the common people.Get the best people working in the government.Quickest way to get rich.

Chinese Exam System

What was the purpose of the Chinese Exam System?

The formal reason for the exams were to recruit people for the government.

This was a very highly regarded job.The practical reason was to maintain loyalty in local cities throughout China.An added bonus was that the testing maintained cultural unity and basic values throughout China.

Chinese Exam System

How did The exam accomplish these goals?

The content of the exams was the same all across the country.

People wanted the recognition so they learned the required information.

Chinese Exam System

Who was included in the testing process?

All males regardless of income.Excluded:–Women–sons of prostitutes–Slaves–Criminals

Chinese Exam System

Who had an advantage on the tests?

The wealthyThe tests were designed for them.The had the resources to prepare better.

Chinese Exam System

When did it Start?It began in some form around 221 B.C.E. (Before Common Era)It became the only form of entry into government in 960 A.D.

Preparation Began in the Womb - Mothers would read classics and poetry- Tai Jieo (Teach in Womb)Little children read poetryTeens would hire tutors or attend private school

What were the tests?

Level A (High School = tóngsheng) Level B ("BA" = sheng-yuán) Level C (“MA”=juren) Level D ("PhD" = jìnshì)

Tongsheng This was the first test After passing this graduates were still considered “commoners”. This test was graded by local magistrates

This meant that favoritism was very prevalent

Sheng-Yuan Exam was given in each city Passing qualified a person for admission to public school Other prizes included:

a Fez (a special hat) a flag for their house ability to speak directly to the local magistrate

Jure

nExams are taken in Province (states) capitals.Passing granted access to government job

These were restricted to the local government.

By the mid 1700’s there were more graduates of this test than jobs.

Jin i

shi

Only 1 in 1,000,000 who began exam system pass this testGuaranteed a high level government jobThis test is only given in Beijing.

The capital of China

Jin

ish

i

There were two levels to Jinishi, both were taken at the imperial palace.The second exam was honorary, there was no failure. It was meant to rank all those who passed this test.Exams were free, and they were given every 3 years.

What is on the Jinishi

It was based on memorization of 4 books;

Analects (book 1)Written by ConfuciusWritten around 500 B.C.EThis was filled with his teachings on the five relationships.

What is on the Jinishi

Mencius (book 2)Written by Meng TzuHe is the “second sage”This book concerned itself entirely with political theory and political practiceThis was all based on kindness, righteousness, and duty.

What is on the Jinishi

Great learning (Book 3)This was written by Confucius Written around 500 B.C.E.Major Teachings:

illustrate virtue; to renovate the people;to rest in the highest excellence

Doctrine of Mean (Book 4)

This was written by ConfuciousWe do no know the date that it was writtenThis is the least practical

It is very mystical

Jinshi Exam Format

This was a three day exam

The person was given 4 or 5 chinese characters

They then had to know the book, page, and context of the passage that was given.

Jinshi Exam FormatEight Legged Essay

The answer had to be 8 paragraphs long

2 paragraphs for intro4 paragraphs for body2 paragraphs for conclusion

Each paragraph had to have a certain number of lines and Characters.

Results of the Exam ProcessPositive Aspects:

provided some social mobilitya search for “men of talent”promoted cooperative thinkingprovided some rep. for remote areas

Negative Aspects: stifled creative, critical thinkingcreated huge bureaucracynot “practical” training for government jobs