Civil service Test (assessment)

from mid 19th century, universities began institute written examinations assess aptitude of pupils. excerpt 1842 tripos examination in cambridge university.

as profession transitioned modern mass-education system, style of examination became fixed, stress on standardized papers sat large numbers of students. leading way in regard burgeoning civil service began move toward meritocratic basis selection in mid 19th century in england.

british civil service influenced imperial examinations system , meritocratic system of china. thomas taylor meadows, britain s consul in guangzhou, china argued in desultory notes on government , people of china, published in 1847, long duration of chinese empire solely , altogether owing government consists in advancement of men of talent , merit only, , british must reform civil service making institution meritocratic. in 1806, honourable east india company established college near london train , examine administrators of company s territories in india. examinations indian civil service - term coined company – introduced in 1829.

in 1853 chancellor of exchequer william gladstone, commissioned sir stafford northcote , charles trevelyan operation , organisation of civil service. influenced ancient chinese imperial examination, northcote–trevelyan report of 1854 made 4 principal recommendations: recruitment should on basis of merit determined through standardized written examination, candidates should have solid general education enable inter-departmental transfers, recruits should graded hierarchy , promotion should through achievement, rather preferment, patronage or purchase . civil service commission set in 1855 oversee open recruitment , end patronage, , of other northcote–trevelyan recommendations implemented on years.

the northcote–trevelyan model of meritocratic examination remained stable hundred years. tribute success in removing corruption, delivering public services (even under stress of 2 world wars), , responding political change. had great international influence , adapted members of commonwealth. pendleton civil service reform act established similar system in united states.