北宋初期指太祖、太宗二朝，这一阶段之科举制度处于沿袭与变革时期。太祖朝大致处于沿袭阶段，几乎每年都举行贡举试，进士录取名额极少。太祖针对唐五代科举制度之弊病，不断有所矫正，其给食和特奏名则为当时的新举措。太宗朝变革多于沿袭，然呈现出杂乱和摇摆之特征。太宗利用科举收取士心的目的非常明确，其录取名额的大幅度增加、录取后的优宠手段、授官相对优渥，皆与此相关。太宗朝两项全新之变革，即锁院与糊名，奠定宋代科举考试公平公正之原则，影响深远。

was a period of inheritance and reform for the imperial examination system in the early Northern Song Dynasty,which usually refers to the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor TaizongDuring Emperor Taizu's reign,the imperial examination system generally followed that of the Tang and the Five Dynasties,the exams being held almost yearly and the enrollment number,rather limitedTo correct the shortcomings of the old system,Emperor Taizu introduced some new policies referred to as jishi and tezoumingEmperor Taizong introduced more policies of reformation,but in the meantime they also brought out a certain degree of chaos and uncertaintyIt was clear that Emperor Taizong attempted to have the Song scholars' support by manipulating the imperial examination system,including greatly increasing the enrollment number,offering privilege to admitted candidates,raising salary and improving benefit for employed candidates,and so forthSuoyuan and huming,introduced by Taizong,were the two new policies that had greatly influenced later dynastic examination systems in terms of the principles of fairness and impartiality