sounds like the process of becoming a civil servant in imperial china. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imp

sounds like the process of becoming a civil servant in imperial china. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination > During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), authorities narrowed the content down to mostly texts on Neo-Confucian orthodoxy; the highest degree, the jinshi (Chinese: 進士), became essential for the highest offices. On the other hand, holders of the basic degree, the shengyuan (生員), became vastly oversupplied, resulting in holders who could not hope for office. Wealthy families, especially from the merchant class, could opt into the system by educating their sons or by purchasing degrees. During the late 19th century, some critics within Qing China blamed the examination system for stifling scientific and technical knowledge, and urged for some reforms. At the time, China had about one civil licentiate per 1000 people. Due to the stringent requirements, there was only a 1% passing rate among the two or three million annual applicants who took the exams.[3]