A Study on the Imperial Examination from the Five Dynasties to the Early Song Dynasty

The Imperial Examination was one of the most important systems to select officials in the ancient China. Since its founding in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Imperial Examination came to mature step by step, with the continuous adjustment and development from the Five Dynasties to the early Song Dynasty, when they carried out a series of more stringer guidelines, such as keeping the invigilate under close supervision, sealing up the name of examinees, increasing the reexamination and final examination presided over by the emperor and so on. In addition, the political status and effect of the officials who passed the exams had become more and more important. By studying the Imperial Examination during this period, we can make more clear of its examination system.