Exams even tougher in old days

Ever wonder what 'public exams' hundreds of years ago were like? Let's step back in time. In the Song Dynasty (960-1127), the exam system was well-developed since it was founded over 300 years previously in the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

According to Dr Siu Kwok-kin of Chu Hai College, the first step would be the checking of your career and criminal records and those of your family's.

You would have been required to enter their names on the first page of the answer sheet. If you or your family member had committed a crime, or had sub-standard jobs, such as a singer or actor, you would have been disqualified. You could go to another province, change your name, take the exams, and look over your shoulder for the rest of your life for fear of being recognised.

Next, time to decide on a career. Would you prefer politics or military service?

To join the military, you would have to pass three exams to make it to the top: local, provincial and national. Each level contained four sections. Failing one meant the end. The first was weightlifting. You would have to lift stones weighing at least 120 kilograms. Then you would be asked to strike a target with arrows first standing, then while riding a horse.

The third task was the broadsword dance, in which you would need to put on a skilful show of power by waving a broadsword weighing about 48kg. The examiner would throw brushes laden with ink at you. You would have to swat them away with the broadsword. If ink got on you, you failed.