Until the end of the Jogan era, the establishment was settled in two monjo hakase, 20 monjosho (including 2 monjo tokugosho) and 20 gimonjosho (the monjosho reserve); however, as people would be ranked as nobles when becoming monjo hakase with distinguished achievements in the study, the position was endlessly sought after, resulting in the introduction of an examination system.
貞観年間までに文章博士2名、文章生20名（うち文章得業生2名）、擬文章生20名（文章生の予備生）という構成となり、それでも学問が成就して文章博士になれば貴族に達するために志願者数が絶えず、そのために試験制度が導入された。