Someone posted me a question. Why have examinations? How it came about? Who invented the examinations? I did General history of China in NUS and worked right up from my knowledge. What I knew was the the purpose of the imperial civil service exam is a way to select suitable candidates for vacancies in the bureacracy. What I didn't noe was that the invention of written exams can be attributed to China. Kudos to Confucianism that now we have to have exams in NUS and other institutions. It seems that the West was influenced by China to introduce exams as well.





"The Chinese examination system is the earliest written examinations. China is the first country that uses such a system to pick eligible candidate for officialdom. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (11th and 14th ed.), “the oldest known system of examinations in history is that used in China for the selection of officers for the public service(c. 1115B.C.), and the periodic tests which they undergo after entry (c. 2200B.C.)” It was said that exams had its place already during the Zhou Dynasty (1100BC). Government officials in office and candidates for appointment were examined. During the powerful reign of the Han dynasty (221B.C. to 220A.D), there were measures taken to standardize the informal past practice of examination into a concise and orderly structured system.

During this period of time there is no found record of the existence of a formal examination system in civilizations of Greece, Rome, Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia and Assyria.

Development of examinations in the West is very late compared to China. There were no formal systems of examination in Greece and Rome, nor in the Cathedral and Monastery schools till the year 1215, which is the earliest date given for western examinations. This kind of examination was mainly oral examinations, where candidates spoke and express their answer verbally. Written exams started only in the 18th century in the West.

The examination system in China plays a very important role in the Chinese society. The civil service examination system developed gradually over the years. It is through the success at the examination that the Chinese scholars gained official posts in the government that gave them power, fame and wealth.

The examinations were based on Confucian classics and nothing else. Other fields are not subjects of study for the Chinese Scholars. Confucianism stressed the cultivation of morality. For two thousand years, there had not been any changes to the focus of the exams. Scholars study for one purpose in mind, to pass government examinations in order to earn an official appointment in the government. The examination system is the only way of entering into politics. The Chinese people also regarded scholars highly with respect.

On the other hand, this system of examination serves a purpose to the government. It proved to be a cultural unity tool. Scholars preparing for the exams studied the same books, memorized the same Confucian teaching, and as a result adapted the same set of traditions and cultural values. It formed the base of the preservation of the Chinese culture of Confucianism. This is one of the underlying reasons why the China civilization could survive so many years as one of the oldest civilization in the world."

Sources:
JSTOR

I love this database. I used it in NUS, now I'm using it for my work also. Almost can find anything.