It's actually a good way to ensure that only bright, hard working students get filtered into top positions. At least, it's better than the usual alternatives - nepotism, cronyism, plutocratic selection, and politicking.
Of course, the test degraded (over centuries) to a several day exam, where students were expected to write a massive essay. So they just competed to smuggle in lots of stock essays that they could just copy an appropriate one out.
Of course, the test degraded (over centuries) to a several day exam, where students were expected to write a massive essay. So they just competed to smuggle in lots of stock essays that they could just copy an appropriate one out.