古代的科举制度呢，一般来说，分为乡试、会试和殿试。乡试通过后，一般都要有人推荐，才能参加更高一级的考试，所以考试者被叫作举人，比较优秀的人才也被叫作秀才。
gǔdài de kējǔ zhìdù ne ，yībān láishuō ，fēnwéi xiāngshì 、huìshì hé diànshì 。xiāngshì tōngguò hòu ，yībān dōu yào yǒurén tuījiàn ，cáinéng cānjiā gèng gāo yī jí de kǎoshì ，suǒyǐ kǎoshì zhě bèi jiàozuò jǔrén ，bǐjiào yōuxiù de réncái yě bèi jiàozuò xiùcai 。
The ancient examination system, generally speaking, was separated into the provincial level exam, the doctoral exam and the final, imperial exam. After passing the provincial exam, most people would need a person to recommend them in order to continue on and take the higher level exam. Therefore, the people taking the test became known as 'recommended scholars'. People of particularly excellent talent, became known as 'exemplary scholars'.