Lin Han-chang, a bookseller and self-trained historian, notes from his reading of the book Chinese Civil Service Exams that in ancient times the tests given to determine martial potential included archery on foot, archery on horseback, stiff bow pulling, swordsmanship, and moving large rocks.
民間歷史學者林漢章引述《中國的科名》一書指出，古代招考武秀才、武舉人的方式，也只測試步箭、馬箭、拉硬弓、舉大刀、提大石等體能項目。