Starting with the Song dynasty, the system was regularized and developed into a roughly three-tiered ladder from local to provincial to court exams. The content was narrowed and fixed on texts of Neo-Confucian orthodoxy by the Ming dynasty, during which the highest degree, the "jinshi" (), became essential for the highest offices. On the other hand, holders of the basic degree, the "shengyuan" (), became vastly oversupplied, resulting in holders who could not hope for office. Wealthy families, especially from the merchant class, could opt into the system by educating their sons or purchasing degrees. In the late 19th century, critics blamed the examination system for stifling Chinese science and technical knowledge. China had about one civil licentiates per 1000 people. As many as two or three million men a year took the exams. With 99% failing, dissatisfaction was severe.