Ming Dynasty Imperial Examination System

Timeline

1. 1370–1384Nanjing · NanjingThe Hongwu emperor initially opened the examinations to recruit scholars, but later suspended them for a time fearing scholars would lose touch with practical affairs; he restored them in Hongwu 17 and established the triennial grand examination system, setting the basic framework of Ming imperial examinations.
2. 1415–1425Beijing Examination Compound · BeijingAfter the Yongle emperor moved the capital, an examination compound was established in Beijing, and the metropolitan and palace examinations were held there; a two-capital examination pattern formed, with southern scholars still required to travel to the capital to sit the exams.
3. 1431–1440Beijing · BeijingThe metropolitan and palace examinations of Xuande 5 (1430) and Zhengtong 1 (1436) were held as usual; quotas and regional allocation rules operated steadily, and the examinations continued to supply the court with jinshi-degree officials.
4. c. 1487–1644Jiangnan scholar communities · SuzhouIn the mid-to-late Ming, examination essays became increasingly formulaic and the eight-legged essay became the standard form; though not yet fully fixed in the 1430s, examination on the classics and Cheng-Zhu commentaries had already deeply shaped scholars' education.