During the Ch'ing dynasty, a scholar before becoming a Cultivated Talent was known as a Confucian Apprentice, regardless of age. Once a Confucian Apprentice passed the local county, prefecture, and institute examinations to become a Cultivated Talent, it was but the first step in the imperial recruitment examinations. After achieving status as a Cultivated Talent, a scholar had to pass the examination of the Provincial Education Commissioner (Supervisory Examinations) before being eligible for the Provincial Examinations held once every three years. Usually held in the eighth lunar month, they were known as the "Halls of Autumn." After passing the Provincial Examinations, a scholar would be known as a Provincial Graduate and was eligible to go to the capital and sit for the Metropolitan Examinations. The Metropolitan Examinations were also held once every three years, usually in the spring after the autumn provincial examinations of the preceding year. Those lucky enough to pass the Metropolitan Examinations were known as Passed Scholars. The Palace Examinations were then held about a month after the Metropolitan Examinations. The Palace Examinations were to confirm the number and ranking of successful examinees, all of whom appeared on the list of passing scholars, with the ranking directly determining their paths in officialdom. There were three grades in both civil and martial subjects of the Palace Examinations. The first grade was known as a Presented Scholar with Distinction, the second a Regular Presented Scholar, and the third an Associate Presented Scholar.

The collection of Ch'ing dynasty archives in the National Palace Museum includes a rich source of materials related to the imperial examination system. Selected for display here are examination papers, subjects for the provincial examinations, passing lists, announcements of passing, and memorials expressing gratitude in relation to the imperial examinations.