What is CSCA?
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a standardized test for international students who want to study undergraduate programs in China. It is organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and helps universities evaluate students’ academic ability and readiness.
Why CSCA?
CSCA is used to:
Check academic and language readiness
Support university admission decisions
Strengthen scholarship applications
Help students understand their level before studying in China
Test Subjects
CSCA includes:
Professional Chinese (Humanities / STEM)
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Math, Physics, and Chemistry can be taken in Chinese or English depending on university requirements.
Subject Requirements
1. Chinese Government Scholarship Applicants
Mathematics
Professional Chinese
Optional: Physics / Chemistry (depends on university)
2. Non-Scholarship Applicants
Mathematics
Professional Chinese (for Chinese-taught programs)
Optional: Physics / Chemistry
Exam Schedule (2026)
CSCA is held 5 times a year:
January, March, April, June, December
Daily schedule:
Professional Chinese: 12:00–13:30
Physics: 15:00–16:00
Mathematics: 18:00–19:00
Chemistry: 20:30–21:30
Format
Mainly online (home-based)
Some computer-based or paper-based centers available later
Scoring
Each subject is out of 100
Results released in:
7 days (online/computer-based)
14 days (paper-based)
Universities set their own cutoff scores
Fees
1 subject: CNY 450
2+ subjects: CNY 700
Source: https://csca.cn/about/examintro