What did the ancient imperial examinations test?

Different subjects have different emphases on the items and contents of the imperial examination. Textual research on scholars' emphasis on essays, poems and strategies, emphasizing classics and righteousness in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Ming Classics, mainly the Five Classics. Ke, mainly based on laws and regulations. Ming calligraphy, mainly calligraphy. Judging from the examination methods and organization, the imperial examination can be described as a master of ancient examinations, and its experience and lessons are still of reference significance.

The examination methods of imperial examination mainly include oral examination, classics, ink meaning, strategy and poetry. The post is a page in the examiner's optional book, covering the full text, leaving only one line, and then cutting the paper into a post, covering it with three or five words for candidates to read or write. Sticking classics is one of the main examination methods in the imperial examination in Tang Dynasty, and all subjects must be tied with classics. Mo Yi compiled several questions from the classics, and asked candidates to answer and make suggestions in the original classics, that is, to write an article on the spot to answer the questions according to the suggestions. This is the most important method in the imperial examination. The last method of examination, poetry fu, is to let candidates create poetry fu on the spot according to the topic and the prescribed rules. After the first year of the Tang dynasty, it was stipulated that Jinshi should try two articles (one poem and one fu) and try again. Classics, Mohism and Poetry in the imperial examination are the great development of examination methods, and they are the source of current examination methods such as filling in the blanks, short answers, discussion and composition.