The county-level examination lasted a total of three days and two nights. Entry, however, began on the afternoon of the first day. By the time the candidates had been searched, found their assigned cells, and settled in, dusk was already falling.
According to tradition, no examination papers were distributed, nor were any questions to be answered on the first day. Once settled, the candidates would use the remaining daylight to read. After the sky grew completely dark, they ate their evening meal, washed up quickly with some water, and then lay down to rest.
It was no wonder none of the candidates stayed up late studying. They simply couldn't afford the toll it would take.
This was because the examination was set to begin at three in the morning.
That time of morning, when night gives way to day, is also when the body is most overcome with fatigue. Failing to get proper rest beforehand would inevitably affect their performance.
