The examination system had existed in China for well over 1000 years. It was closely tied to the class structure (determining admission to and status within the literati class), bureaucratic system, and social organization. But it was torn down within a decade or so.
中國科舉制度綿延上千年，與整個知識階層、官僚體系、社會組織盤根錯節，但卻在一、二十年間，被摧枯拉朽般地廢止了，可見當時改革聲勢之大。