The Institutional Origins of the Ming and Qing Imperial Examinations􀆳 Special Classics Examination Model, the Separation of Scripture Reading and the Reform of Accumulated Disadvantages

Abstract

Confucianism has always been the main content of the ancient imperial examinations, and the types and scope of the examination of classics have had a significant role in inducing scholars to study the classics. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial examinations adopted the mode of selecting one of the five classics as the special classics examination, which not only had a long institutional origin and historical evolution, but also produced the system of marking the classics in the implementation of the operation. In order to better select officials and maintain the feudal rule, based on the numerous disadvantages derived from the long-term operation of the special scripture test, the Qing court adopted the reform. of the mode of trying classics, changing the special scripture test for the five classics and test. This reform. and adjustment of this trial mode has an important and unique historical mirror value for promoting the comprehensive reform. of the college entrance examination in the new era.