Understanding the Chinese Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA): A Guide for International Students

Chinese Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a mandatory standardized test for all international students applying for undergraduate programs in China (Chinese institutions), effective from the 2026/2027 academic year. Supervised by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) in collaboration with academic experts, the CSCA is used by over 300 Chinese universities. CSCA provides a comprehensive evaluation of academic and language abilities, enabling students to better understand their strengths and prepare for successful study in China. Your CSCA score, along with your high school academic performance and other materials, will become a key basis for university admission and scholarship evaluation.

Why the CSCA Matters:

Ø For Students: Identify your academic strengths and areas for improvement to ensure you are fully prepared for the rigors of a Chinese undergraduate program.

Ø For Universities: Serves as a trusted benchmark for admissions and scholarship decisions, widely recognized by institutions across China.

Ø University List: https://campuschina.org/zh/universities/index.html

Key Information:

Ø Purpose: To assess the academic preparedness of international students applying for undergraduate programs.

Ø Who it’s For: Mandatory for all international applicants to bachelor's degree programs, including both self-funded and scholarship candidates.

Ø Effective Date: Required for all applications starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.

Test Structure & Subjects:

The CSCA evaluates candidates in the following subjects. Requirements vary based on the student's chosen field and language of instruction.

· Chinese Language: Mandatory for programs taught in Chinese. (Waived for Chinese Language & Literature majors with a valid HSK Level 4 certificate).

· Mathematics: Mandatory for all applicants.

· Physics: Optional for Engineering, Computer, technology, and related majors.

· Chemistry: Optional for Medical, Agricultural, and related majors.

Test Preparation for Fundamental Subjects: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry

Test Format & Language:

· Chinese: 100 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes.

· Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry: 48 multiple-choice questions each, 60 minutes per subject.

· Language of Exam: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry tests are available in both Chinese and English. You must select the language based on your program's language of instruction and university requirements.

Test Dates & Fees:

Ø Test Dates: Held five times a year in December, January, March, April, and June.

Ø Fees:

· Single Subject: 450 CNY (approx. 63 USD)

· Two or More Subjects: 700 CNY (approx. 100 USD)

Registration & Test Delivery:

Ø Registration: Register officially via the CSCA website: https://csca.cn/

Ø Delivery Methods:

· Online (Remote): Results are available within 7 days.

· At Authorized Test Centers: (Paper-based or Computer-based). Results are available within 14 days.

To contact CSCA support: E-mail: cscasupport@cscdf.org , office@cscdf.org

For more details, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Question 1: Do I have to take this CSCA exam?

Yes, it is necessary for most applicants.

Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, all international students applying for undergraduate programs at Chinese institutions must take the CSCA exam before submitting their applications and include their scores as one of the necessary application materials.

Question 2: What subjects are included in the exam?

The test includes the following subjects:

· Professional Chinese (for programs instructed in Chinese only);

· Mathematics (mandatory for all, regardless of the major and instruction language);

· Physics, or Chemistry (Optional, based on the major, such as Chemistry for MBBS, BDS and Pharmacy, and Physics for Civil Engineering, Software Engineering, and Architecture, etc.).

1. Professional Chinese provides two types of tests: liberal arts Chinese and science Chinese. Applicants who apply for undergraduate studies taught in Chinese should take professional Chinese language tests in the corresponding direction according to the category of the applied major.

2. Applicants for undergraduate education taught entirely in English are not required to take professional Chinese language tests; Applicants who apply for undergraduate studies in Chinese language can be exempted from taking the Chinese language exam if they can provide a valid HSK Level 4 score report.

3. Basic subject mathematics (mandatory): Mathematics is an important basis for assessing the applicant's basic academic and logical thinking abilities. Regardless of the major applied for, mathematics is a mandatory subject.

4. Physics and Chemistry (optional exams): Each school can determine whether to require applicants to participate in the optional subject tests based on its own training needs. In principle, applicants for majors in science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine are required by each school to take at least one of the two subjects mentioned above.

5. Mathematics, physics, and chemistry are all provided with Chinese and English test papers, and applicants can choose the language of the test paper according to the requirements of the teaching language.

Question 3: If I am not applying to a Chinese government scholarship institution, can I still take this exam?

Yes, of course!

We encourage all students planning to study in China to take the CSCA exam. An excellent CSCA transcript can be a powerful bonus for your application to any Chinese university, showcasing your academic abilities comprehensively.

Question 4: When can I register? What is the approximate cost of the exam?

The first exam registration will open in November 2025. Please closely follow the official website（ https://csca.cn）, to get specific dates.

2. Registration fee: 450 RMB for single subjects, 700 RMB for two or more subjects

3. Please prepare photos, valid identification documents, credit cards, and other materials for registration. For a specific list of materials, please refer to the official website when registering（ https://csca.cn）. Requirement.

Question 5: What time is the exam usually scheduled? How many opportunities are there in a year?

1. First test date: December 21, 2025

2. Specific schedule (Beijing time) Professional Chinese: 13:00-14:30 Mathematics: 15:30-16:30 Physics: 17:30-18:30 Chemistry: 19:30-20:30

Please pay attention to the rest time between exam subjects and arrange it reasonably.

Starting from 2026, the CSCA exam will enter the normal operation stage, forming a fixed exam cycle. The exam will be organized five times a year, scheduled in January, March, April, June, and December.

Question 6: What form is the exam conducted through?

The CSCA exam offers three exam formats: offline centralized computer-based exam, paper-based exam, and home-based online exam. You can choose the exam type according to your needs:

1. Centralized computer-based exams are conducted at authorized test centers, using computers and under standardized conditions.

2. Paper and pencil exams are conducted at authorized test centers in traditional paper and pencil format.

3. Take the home-based online exam at home, with real-time monitoring by an online invigilator.

At the beginning of the exam, home online exams will be the main focus, while gradually establishing offline exam centers (centralized computer-based or paper-based exams) in key source countries and regions. *The specific form and examination information can be found on the official website（ https://csca.cn ）The actual release shall prevail.

Question 7: How to check the scores after the exam is completed?

After the exam, you can log in to the official CSCA website（ https://csca.cn ）Check exam scores.

All subjects in the CSCA exam are scored on a percentage scale. The release time of grades varies depending on the exam format. The results of home online exams and offline centralized computer-based exams will be announced within 7 working days after the exam; the paper exam will be announced within 14 working days after the exam.

Question 8: What are some suggestions for preparing for exams?

Collect and follow the official website（ https://csca.cn）It is the first channel to obtain the most authoritative information. On the official website, you can also download and view exam preparation resources such as the "exam outline" for exam subjects.

Question 9: If my CSCA scores are not yet available, can I still submit an online application to University?

Yes. You may first create your account and complete the online application form, and upload your CSCA registration proof or candidate number as a temporary explanation.

However, you must upload the official CSCA score report before the deadline set by University.

Applications that fail to provide valid scores by the deadline will not be able to proceed to the final admission stage.

The CSCA: Your Gateway to Undergraduate Studies in China