China CSCA Complete Guide
Starting in 2026, countless students applying to an undergraduate program at a Chinese Government Scholarship university must submit a valid CSCA score along with their application. The aim of CSCA is to ensure fair evaluation, consistent academic standards, and enhanced quality control for all students who want to study in China. This new system supports China’s vision of building a strong global brand for international education — Study in China. For more information related to this, contact the European Study Hub at: +91 95993 34053.
CSCA Full form:
CSCA is the short name of China Scholastic Competency Assessment, which is a novel international standard exam for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in China.
CSCA Exam:
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) Exam is an international entrance exam that is recently introduced and is designed to determine your maturity in your studies in China at universities. Beginning in 2026, all applications to government-approved undergraduate programs will include a CSCA score on their file.
Who Should Take the CSCA
- International students applying to undergraduate programs at Chinese universities offering government scholarships.
- Applicants to English-taught or Chinese-taught majors in Science, Engineering, Medicine, Business, or Humanities.
- Students from foundation or preparatory programs, unless officially exempted by their university.
CSCA Mock Test:
CSCA Mock tests are online exams that can be found at CUCAS and provide simulated exams with real questions and different levels of difficulty. Mock tests come in various languages and allow you to test your preparedness by single mocking as to the difficulty and process of the actual exam, in a variety of subjects, such as Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
CSCA Overview
- Purpose: To ensure students meet academic standards for undergraduate admission.
- Format: Computer-based multiple-choice test, available online or at approved centers.
- Languages: English and Chinese.
- Test Sessions: Held five times a year—in January, March, April, June, and December.
CSCA China Mock Test:
A CSCA China mock test is a test based on practice to prepare for the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, a test needed by most international students to apply to Chinese universities. Some of the providers, such as CUCAS, offer mock tests, which mimic the format and difficulty of the actual test, which includes Mathematics, Specialised Chinese, Physics and Chemistry.
Subjects and Syllabus
CSCA Math Mock Test:
CSCA Math mock test may be accessed with ease on the CUCAS site. These mock exams are useful in preparing the required CSCA Math exam because they simulate the multiple choice and time duration of 60 minutes at the level of difficulty of the exam, so the students can practice and work under the conditions of the exam.
CSCA Exam Questions:
China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) has multiple choice questions about topics such as STEM Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, where each subject has particular content. Math includes sequences and geometry and STEM Chinese includes reading comprehension and character recognition. Physics and Chemistry questions are based on basic problem-solving and fundamental physics and chemistry, respectively.
China Scholastic Competency Assessment Mock Test:
An assessment of a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) mock test is a simulation of the real test that international students will take before entering university to determine their readiness to enter university. Online mock tests can be found on different platforms and are organized to contain the necessary subjects such as Mathematics and optional subjects such as Humanities Chinese, STEM Chinese, Physics and Chemistry, among others, based on the program the applicant is pursuing. Mock tests allow familiarising the candidates with the difficulty and form of the real test, which will give them an opportunity to evaluate their level and prepare better.
Between August and September 2025, China has formally developed the so-called China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) to develop a coherent and reputable admission criterion on international undergraduates, guaranteeing fairness, enhancing quality control, and the brand of Study in China. Beginning with 2026, undergraduate applicants to all Chinese Government Scholarship universities will be required to take the test prior to submitting their applications, and the paper with the result of the test will be one of the necessary documents to be reviewed during the university admission.
Format and Administration
First Global Exam Date:
21st December 2025.
Registration Status:
The registration became open on November 10, 2025. In case you would like to take the pilot exam in December, you have to register at once through the official site (csca.cn).
Format:
The December 2025 exam will also have Online Proctored (Home-based) which will be available worldwide. The offline centres are currently restricted to pilot centres such as Vietnam and Thailand.
Subjects:
The CSCA Exam has four main subjects, Specialised Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
- The specialised Chinese can be split into two categories: Science(STEM) Chinese and Humanities Chinese. Students who have applied to undergraduate programs taught in Chinese are required to undertake the respective test depending on the major they are undertaking. University students to apply undergraduate programs that are fully taught in English do not need to take the Specialized Chinese test. The Chinese Language major may have an exception of applicants who could present a valid certificate of HSK Level 4.
- Mathematics is a mandatory course, which acts as a significant foundation of the applicants academic as well as logical reason; every applicant must pass through the test.
- Optional subjects are physics and Chemistry and they may be obligatory or not by the training requirements of the university. Theoretically, science, engineering, agricultural, or medical majors applicants are required to take at least one of the two tests.
Test Language:
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English test papers, applicants can select the language version as he or she is supposed to use the language of instruction depending on the kind of university he or she is supposed to join.
2026 Exam Schedule
In case you fail the December 2025 exam, five sessions are scheduled in 2026 that can accommodate the September 2026 intake:
January: First regular meeting.
March (Critical scholarships): Second regular session.
April: Third regular session
June: Fourth regular session
December: Fifth regular session
Registration and Fees
The registration for exam opens about one month before each session via the official CSCA platform. A one-subject test will cost RMB 450 and two or more subjects will cost RMB 700. The payment system encourages large domestic and worldwide techniques, such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, Union Pay, VISA and Master Card.
Results and Evaluation
Each and every CSCA topic would be rated using a 100-point scale, the results of which can be used as a guide to universities, which would then base their own admission criteria on the needs of their programs. Online-at-home and on-site computer-based tests will have their scores made available within 7 working days of the exam, whereas paper-based computer test scores will be made available within 14 working days. Universities can also look at the relative percentile rankings of students on world test takers to learn their academic positions in the world, and so that the accuracy of their candidate selection can be better.
Preparation Tips
- Review final-year high school content in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Practice with mock tests to understand timing and question formats.
- Use official CSCA study materials and past papers.
- Improve English or Chinese language skills based on your program’s medium of instruction.
- Consider joining structured CSCA preparation courses.
China Outreach Program
- Webinars and career talks with industry professionals.
- Guidance on China’s K Visa work pathway.
- Cultural orientation sessions.
- Alumni mentorship and networking.
Key Takeaways
- CSCA is mandatory for international undergraduate applicants from 2026.
- The test is offered five times a year, both online and offline.
- Strong scores improve admission and scholarship chances.
- Preparation is essential—start early and use official resources.
- CSCA is your gateway to academic and career growth in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSCA mandatory for all international students?
Can CSCA replace HSK for language proficiency?
How long is the CSCA result valid?
Do I need to retake CSCA if I change my major?
CSCA Exam Full Video
