What subjects were tested in the Chinese jinshi examinations?

The jinshi examinations, which served as the highest level of the Chinese civil service testing system, focused primarily on the mastery of Confucianism and its associated literature.12

Candidates were tested on their knowledge of the Confucian Classics, specifically the Five Classics and the Four Books. From 1313 onward, the curriculum required a deep understanding of the Neo-Confucian interpretations and commentaries provided by the philosopher Zhu Xi, which became indispensable for success.12345

Beyond rote memorization of these texts, the examinations required candidates to demonstrate the ability to relate classical precepts and historical precedents to specific political or philosophical issues. By the later dynasties, the testing became highly stylized, requiring responses to be written in the form of the eight-legged essay, a rigid format that emphasized command of style over original thought.42