From the Imperial Examination to the National College Entrance Examination: the Dynamics of Political Centralism in China's Educational Enterprise. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

This comparative historical study examines political centralism in China in the Imperial Examination and the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE). Both systems served the political needs of the ruling classes and the commoners, although in a limited way for the latter. The Imperial Examination was once a positive force for social development and the NCEE may become an obstacle for political and economic reform if it continues in its current role. Both examinations have contributed to the continuity of political centralism through elite and higher education. The Imperial Exam selected officials for civil services and the NCEE selects students for higher education. Academic requirements are completely different in that the past exam required mirroring of Confucian concepts and rigid rules of composition while the NCEE covers almost all subjects of modern secondary education. The quota systems of the imperial exam were accepted without much complaint while the current quotas have caused many grievances. Finally, those who succeeded through the Imperial examination were loyal to the Emperor while those who succeed under the NCEE have many grievances toward the government. Proposed reform for NCEE looks for greater centralization. The paper argues that NCEE should become a pure educational testing service limited to providing academic assessment. (Contains 66 references.) (JB)