Abstract: In the Song Dynasty,the imperial examination system emphasized the legislation of selecting scholars.The “Gongju Tiao System” is a general term for the imperial examination system,which includes detailed management such as imperial edicts,decrees,forms,and standards.The imperial examination system followed the Tang system from the early Song Dynasty to the establishment of the “Imperial Examination System” during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong,which evolved from sparse to dense.The imperial examination system went through five reforms,including Emperor Renzongs “Qingli Gongju System”,Emperor Shenzongs “Xining Imperial Examination System”,Emperor Zhezongs revision of the Yuanyou and Yuanfu system,Emperor Huizongs “Zhenghe Newly Revised Gongshi Edict Format”,and the Southern Song Dynastys “Shaoxing Revised Gongshi Edict Format”.The only surviving Ding Dus “Gongju Tiao Shi” in the Song Dynasty reflects the continuous changes in the practice of the imperial examination system.The continuous revision of the imperial edicts,decrees,forms,and standards of the imperial examination system in the Song Dynasty reflects the courts emphasis on establishing the imperial examination law,with the aim of achieving fairness and impartiality in the selection of scholars through the imperial examination.This pursuit and effort were also an important reason why the imperial examination system in the Song Dynasty could continue until the Yuan,Ming,and Qing dynasties.

Key words: the imperial examination system of the Song Dynasty, examination method, imperial edicts,decrees,forms,and standards, “Gongju Tiao Shi”