The fundamental purpose of this seemingly unfair punitive measure was actually to preserve fair competition in the civil service examination system. Nowadays, the school entrance examination system is the subject of many people's concern, yet it is not easily replaced by other measures, because of the principle of fair competition. Recently, this principle has become a focus of debate as well.
這個看似極不公平的「罪與罰」，追根究柢是維護「公平競爭」的考試制度；而今眾所關注的聯招制度，也因為公平競爭原則，不易被其他的方案取代，而成為教改中引人爭議的焦點。