宋代開始的糊名考試制度對於整個社會有很大的影響。其中之一是左右學生的讀書方向。考試的目的是為朝廷選才，宋廷希望透過科舉選拔出學問、品德俱佳的學生。但是對學生而言，通過考試遠比求取學問重要得多，遑論品德。為了通過科舉，他們必須知道做哪種準備最恰當且最快。而摹仿考場奏捷的文章，即時文，自然是最好最妥當的方式。由於宋代經濟發達，人口增加，考生人數亦隨之上漲，對於時文的需求因而節節升高。
論文主要分為五部分：第一節談考試參考書的起源；第二節討論宋代宮學的教育內容：第三節論朝廷對時文的態度及所採行的對策；第四節論述參考書的市場需求大增；第五節探討科舉文風改變的因素。透過初步的研究，可望開啟瞭解宋代考試文化的另一扇門。

The civil service examination system adopted in Sung had an enormous impact on Chinese society. One of the striking influences is content of students' study. The purpose of the examinations is to select talented, ethical students into government. However, to students at large, passing the examinations is much important than learning, much less moral cultivation. In order to pass, they need to what the best and fastest way to prepare. Reading those successful examination essays, shih-wen, is considered one of the best and most appropriate way. Due to economic development and demographic growth, the population of students also increases, the demand for examination essays and other study aids as well rises.
This paper includes five part. The first part investigates the origins of study aids. The second part discussed the content of education in government schools. The third part focuses on the government's attitude toward study aids. The fourth part concentrates on the growing demand on such genre of literature. The fifth part is on the change of writing style of examinations in the course of time. Through this survey the author hopes to open a window to Sung cultural history.