The CSCA Exam
China Scholastic Competency Assessment — a unified standardized test for international undergraduate applicants administered by the China Scholarship Council. Required at 306 CSC universities starting 2026.
What is the CSCA exam?
CSCA is a new, unified standardized test for international undergraduate applicants. Administered by the China Scholarship Council, it evaluates students' academic readiness and foundational knowledge to ensure they are well-prepared for success at Chinese universities.
In the admissions process, CSCA scores are considered alongside high school performance and interview results. Master's and doctoral applicants are not required to take CSCA — their admission assessments follow the respective requirements set by target universities.
Who needs to take CSCA?
- ✓All applicants to undergraduate programs (scholarship and self-financed) at 306 CSC universities must take the CSCA exam.
- ✗Master's and doctoral applicants are exempt.
- ✗Programs at non-CSC universities and many language/non-degree programs do not require CSCA.
Test Structure
Five test subjects. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English.
| Subject | Track | Language | Duration | Questions | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Chinese | Humanities | Chinese | 90 min | 80 | 0-100 |
| STEM | Chinese | 90 min | 80 | 0-100 | |
| Mathematics | Fundamental | Chinese / English | 60 min | 48 | 0-100 |
| Physics | Fundamental | Chinese / English | 60 min | 48 | 0-100 |
| Chemistry | Fundamental | Chinese / English | 60 min | 48 | 0-100 |
Upcoming Exam Dates
Five exam sessions are typically scheduled per year (January, March, April, June, December).
Registration window: February 5 (12:00 noon) - February 14 (12:00 noon), 2026
CSCA Study Resources
Looking for non-CSCA programs?
We have hundreds of scholarship programs that don't require CSCA — including MBBS, master's, and Chinese language programs.
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