Changes

There were four levels of exams through which a candidate would have to pass in order to be eligible to proceed to the next level: one would need to pass exams in one's county (郷試, ''xiāngshì'') to move on to the provincial exams (會試, ''huìshì''), then on to the metropolitan (i.e. Beijing, i.e. nationwide/empire-wide) level (殿試, ''diànshì''), before finally being selected or rejected by the emperor. In the [[Tang Dynasty]], exams were only offered at the metropolitan & palace levels, with candidates being recommended to sit the exams by local elites. The exam system was expanded down to the provinces in the [[Song Dynasty]], and then to the local level in the [[Ming Dynasty]], with varying types of "qualifying" (科考, ''kēkǎo'') and "licensing" (歳考, ''suìkǎo'') exams being offered at that level roughly twice every three years. Licensing exams authorized one to move on to the next level of exams, while qualifying exams allowed one to renew or maintain that "license." In the Ming Dynasty, provincial exams were usually offered in the autumn (8th lunar month), with candidates taking the metropolitan exams the following spring (3rd lunar month) in either [[Nanjing]] (up until [[1421]]) or [[Beijing]] (beginning in [[1415]]).  

There were four levels of exams through which a candidate would have to pass in order to be eligible to proceed to the next level: one would need to pass exams in one's county (郷試, ''xiāngshì'') to move on to the provincial exams (會試, ''huìshì''), then on to the metropolitan (i.e. Beijing, i.e. nationwide/empire-wide) level (殿試, ''diànshì''), before finally being selected or rejected by the emperor. In the [[Tang Dynasty]], exams were only offered at the metropolitan & palace levels, with candidates being recommended to sit the exams by local elites. The exam system was expanded down to the provinces in the [[Song Dynasty]], and then to the local level in the [[Ming Dynasty]], with varying types of "qualifying" (科考, ''kēkǎo'') and "licensing" (歳考, ''suìkǎo'') exams being offered at that level roughly twice every three years. Licensing exams authorized one to move on to the next level of exams, while qualifying exams allowed one to renew or maintain that "license." In the Ming Dynasty, provincial exams were usually offered in the autumn (8th lunar month), with candidates taking the metropolitan exams the following spring (3rd lunar month) in either [[Nanjing]] (up until [[1421]]) or [[Beijing]] (beginning in [[1415]]).  

Those who passed the local exams were known as ''shēng-yuán'' (生員). They were considered scholars and members of the gentry, and were entitled to exception from corvée labor obligations to the state. They were not, however, generally eligible for most official posts. Those who passed the provincial exams were known as ''jǔrén'' (舉人) and were eligible both for middle-level government posts, and for entry into the [[National Academy]] (''guózǐjiàn''), where one would receive a stipend to support him as he studied for the metropolitan exams. Those who passed the highest level of exams were known as ''jìnshì'' (進士), qualifying them for a fuller range of high-level government positions.<ref name=boxer>Joseph Esherick, ''The Origins of the Boxer Uprising'', U California Press (1987), 28-29.</ref> ''Jìnshì'' were ranked, however, with only the highest class of ''jìnshì'' being eligible for the highest levels of government positions, including appointment to the [[Hanlin Academy]], where they could serve as Imperial advisors and diplomats. The top three individual ''jìnshì'' candidates in each iteration of the exam held especially exclusive status, and were often eligible for particularly exclusive positions. These top three individuals were known, respectively, as the ''optimus'' (''zhuàngyuán'' 狀元), ''secundus'' (''bǎngyǎn'' 榜眼), and ''tertius'' (''tànhuā'' 探花) of that year's exam, and would retain that reputation throughout their careers. Many of the most prominent scholar-officials in history were among the top three candidates in their respective years.

Those who passed the local exams were known as ''shēng-yuán'' (生員). They were considered scholars and members of the gentry, and were entitled to exception from corvée labor obligations to the state. They were not, however, generally eligible for most official posts. Those who passed the provincial exams were known as ''jǔrén'' (舉人) and were eligible both for middle-level government posts at [[Court ranks in China|Lower Ninth Rank]] and above,<ref name=huang53>Ray Huang, ''1587: A Year of No Significance'', Yale University Press (1981), 54.</ref> and for entry into the [[National Academy]] (''guózǐjiàn''), where one would receive a stipend to support him as he studied for the metropolitan exams. Those who passed the highest level of exams were known as ''jìnshì'' (進士), qualifying them for a fuller range of high-level government positions, at Lower Seventh Rank and above.<ref name=boxer>Joseph Esherick, ''The Origins of the Boxer Uprising'', U California Press (1987), 28-29.</ref><ref name=huang53/> ''Jìnshì'' were ranked, however, with only the highest class of ''jìnshì'' being eligible for the highest levels of government positions, including appointment to the [[Hanlin Academy]], where they could serve as Imperial advisors and diplomats. The top three individual ''jìnshì'' candidates in each iteration of the exam held especially exclusive status, and were often eligible for particularly exclusive positions. These top three individuals were known, respectively, as the ''optimus'' (''zhuàngyuán'' 狀元), ''secundus'' (''bǎngyǎn'' 榜眼), and ''tertius'' (''tànhuā'' 探花) of that year's exam, and would retain that reputation throughout their careers. Many of the most prominent scholar-officials in history were among the top three candidates in their respective years.

 

In the [[Qing Dynasty]], provincial and metropolitan exams were held once every three years, though additional opportunities, known as "imperial grace exams" (恩科, C: ''ēnkē''), were occasionally offered in conjunction with certain auspicious events.<ref>Over the course of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the metropolitan & palace exams were offered 89 times, or roughly once every 3.1 years. During the Qing (1644-1911), these exams took place 112 times, or once every 2.4 years, including 27 "imperial grace" exams and two "additional" exams (加科). Roughly 5,555 ''jìnshì'' degrees, or 21% of those granted during the period, were obtained through "imperial grace" exams. (Elman, 129n10.)</ref>  

In the [[Qing Dynasty]], provincial and metropolitan exams were held once every three years, though additional opportunities, known as "imperial grace exams" (恩科, C: ''ēnkē''), were occasionally offered in conjunction with certain auspicious events.<ref>Over the course of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the metropolitan & palace exams were offered 89 times, or roughly once every 3.1 years. During the Qing (1644-1911), these exams took place 112 times, or once every 2.4 years, including 27 "imperial grace" exams and two "additional" exams (加科). Roughly 5,555 ''jìnshì'' degrees, or 21% of those granted during the period, were obtained through "imperial grace" exams. (Elman, 129n10.)</ref>