The imperial examination began in the Sui Dynasty, and became more and more perfect in the Tang and Song Dynasties. It is an important way for the country to select talents. Compared with the ninth grade Zheng Zhi system, the imperial examination is much friendlier to poor students, and it is a selection method of meritocracy. The court also has considerable funds for students to take exams. According to historical records, in December of the fifth year of Tang Gaozu Wude (622), he said: "The official department tried to give five silks to its subordinates, filled with food, and studied hard." In the Xuanzong period, even the students who failed in the list had compensation funds.
In the Song Dynasty, rural students had to pay a large sum of money to travel to Beijing to take the exam. In view of this situation, Zhao Kuangyin, who was relieved of military power after drinking a glass of wine, ordered that students in remote areas be allowed to use the official post station for free and stay at the post station for free. Since then, it has opened the privilege for students to take exams. In addition, there are organizations similar to existing funds among prefectures and counties. The existence of "Gong Village" and "Gong Library" has solved the learning problems of many poor students and provided them with the most basic elements of life and study. However, it was occupied by gentry in the later period and lost its original effect.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the state's financial assistance to students was not much different from before. However, in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, stereotyped writing began to become the mainstream of imperial examinations, and everything began to be standardized and programmed. The imperial examination seems to be just a form. I am very sorry.