Defects of the Imperial Examinations in the Tang dynasty: Case Studies of Incidents in Imperial Examinations in the Middle and Late Tang Dynasty

The imperial examination system in general was fair in the Tang Dynasty,but defects showed themselves especially during the middle and late Tang Dynasty.This paper presents case studies of six incidents in imperial examinations during that period and concludes that there were such defects as unethical pursuits for personal gains,acceptance of bribes,examiners' partiality,interference of the elite,etc.it is argued that these defects had to do with such measures as recommendation,publicity,gradation,exam papers without names fixed on them,etc.