Exams as a concept were first invented in ancient China around 605 AD during the Sui Dynasty as the Imperial Examination system. These exams were designed to select government officials based on merit rather than birthright, with the exam content focusing on Confucian texts, poetry, and administrative skills. The purpose was to ensure capable governance by promoting officials through a standardized testing process rather than favoritism. This system lasted for over a thousand years and greatly influenced later examination methods worldwide. In the late 19th century, the modern formal exam system, especially in educational settings, was developed and popularized by an American businessman and philanthropist named Henry Fischel. He is credited with introducing standardized written exams as a uniform way to assess knowledge and abilities, which evolved into today's academic exams. England adopted exams in the early 1800s for civil service selection, and universities like Oxford and Cambridge formalized standardized assessments in the late 19th century. In summary, the exam was invented initially as a tool for meritocratic government selection in ancient China, and later adapted and standardized in the modern era by Henry Fischel and others to assess academic and civil service competencies systematically and fairly.