The World's Oldest Test
Rea,
With your CTP testing this week, it made me wonder about the history of standardized tests. When was the first one created? Who took it? And why? What I found out was that the world’s first standardized tests were created nearly 1,400 years ago in China, and they changed history in ways we still feel today.
Back in 605 CE, the Chinese empire faced a big problem. How could they find the most talented people to help run their vast country? Before this time, only children from powerful families could become officials. But the emperor had a new idea: create a test that anyone (though only males at that time) could take. If you passed, you could become one of the most important officials in the empire, no matter who your parents were.
These tests were serious business. Special examination centers were built across the country, with thousands of tiny cells where test-takers would stay for days. Each cell was about the size of a small closet - just enough room for a desk, some writing materials, and a place to sleep. Before entering, candidates were thoroughly searched to make sure they weren’t bringing in any hidden notes.
The tests themselves were extremely difficult. Candidates had to write essays from memory about ancient texts they had studied for years. They needed to show they understood government, history, literature, and ethics. The grading system was strict - only about 1-2% of candidates passed. To ensure fairness, all answers were copied by scribes before grading so the examiners wouldn’t know whose paper they were reading.
What made this system special was that it created real opportunities. Records show that about 40% of those who reached the highest levels came from ordinary families. For a farmer’s son to become one of the emperor’s top advisors was something that hadn’t been possible before.
This testing system lasted for over 1,300 years - longer than the United States has existed! It eventually spread to other countries like Korea and Vietnam. When Europeans learned about it in the 1600s and 1700s, they were so impressed that they created similar systems for their own governments. The civil service exams used in countries around the world today can trace their history back to these ancient Chinese tests.
When you take your CTP tests this week, you’re participating in a tradition with deep roots. Tests can be challenging, but they’ve long been tools that open doors to new opportunities. Think of them like bridges - they might seem narrow and a bit scary to cross, but they’re designed to take you somewhere new.
Love, Abba
P.S. The night before your test, try this technique used by ancient Chinese test-takers: take a few deep breaths and imagine pouring out all your worries before entering the exam room - leaving only your knowledge and confidence behind.
