Which of the following Chinese dynasties instituted the first civil service examination?
The Han Dynasty people were the first to use examinations as a way to choose government officials. The civil service examinations were used as a way to select officials based on merit and ability, rather than family lineage or political connections. This idea came from Confucian philosophy, which seeked a state ruled by men of ability and virtue. This selection process based on merit, meant that even the poorest family could have a member claim a high-ranking position in the government.