Test of Time: Meet the Mastermind Who Gave Us Exams

The concept of exams originated with Henry Fischel, an American businessman and philanthropist who is credited with making testing standardized in the 19th century. While ancient China's Imperial Examination (605–1905 AD) tested candidates for civil service, Fischel's contribution took academic assessment into the contemporary world globally.

 

Key milestones:

 

China's Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD) was the first to have the earliest recorded exams to select government officials based on merit.

 

Fischel's 19th-century model gave emphasis to systematic assessments, which influenced education in the contemporary world.

 

India's uptake: Competitive tests began in 1853 under British rule, replacing nomination-based civil service recruitment.

 

Tests remain at the core of scholarly and professional advancement today, evolving with digital technology and AI-based assessment.

 

Sources: Chegg India, Britannica, CollegeSearch