Evolution of the Imperial Examination System during the Reign of Emperor Gaozong in the Song Dynasty

Emperor Gaozong created a new political situation in the Southern Song Dynasty, including the stabilization and transition of imperial examination system. There was much reflection on the faults of imperial examination system during the reign of Huizong among Gaozong and his courtiers and a comprehensive work of rectification was started. Specifically, during the early years of Gaozong's reign, the three-college law was abolished. Later, with the development of schooling, the three-college law was rebuilt and scholars in three-college didn't have to take part in the provincial examination, still not allowed to become officials directly. As for the contents of the metropolitan examination, "shifu" and "jingyi" (interpretation of the Confucian classics) coexisted and "shifu" was of greater importance. Furthermore, Gaozong set up the quasi-metropolitan examination, which became the permanent institution in the Chuanshan region. However, the imperial examination system was damaged by the fierce conflicts between factions in Gaozong's court, especially when Qin Hui grabbed all the power and cheating became a common phenomenon. In a word, during his years of exile, Gaozong still paid much attention to the imperial examination system. He made some adjustments and supplements according to the situations. His work in this regard was fruitful.