Exams, as a formal system of assessment, were invented in the late 1800s by an American businessman and philanthropist named Henry Fischel. However, the concept of examinations dates back much earlier to ancient China, where the first known formal Imperial Examination system was established during the Sui Dynasty (around 605 AD) to select candidates for government positions based on merit. This system was further developed in the Tang Dynasty and influenced later examination practices around the world. In modern history, Henry Fischel is credited with creating standardized exams in the late 19th century, shaping the exams as we know them today.
Key Historical Points
- The earliest recorded exam system is the Imperial Examination in ancient China, introduced by the Sui Dynasty and expanded under the Tang Dynasty.
- England adopted an examination system for civil service in the early 1800s.
- Henry Fischel, a German-American professor and businessman, is credited with inventing the modern exam system in the late 1800s, particularly standardizing it.
- Exams were introduced in India in 1853, initially for civil service selection under British rule, following a shift from nomination to competitive testing.
Thus, while the exam as a concept originated in ancient China, the standardized format and modern usage are attributed to Henry Fischel in the 19th century.