The examination system, also known as the imperial examination system, was a civil service examination system in China used to select candidates for the state bureaucracy. The system was in place for over 1,300 years, from the Sui Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. The examination system was withdrawn by the Chinese government because it was seen as a major obstacle to modernization and a source of social and political unrest. The system was abolished in the late 19th century and early 20th century as part of a series of reforms aimed at modernizing China's economy, society, and government. Additionally, the examination system was criticized for being corrupt and promoting social inequality, as it privileged scholars from wealthy families who could afford to spend years studying for the exams over talented individuals from poorer backgrounds.