For the 2026–2027 academic year, the CSCA examination has become an important consideration for international students preparing to apply for undergraduate programmes in China. CSCA results are used in university admissions assessments and may also be relevant to scholarship applications.
For Vietnamese students planning to study in China in 2027, understanding the exam structure, subjects, registration process and university-specific requirements will help them prepare their applications more effectively.
1. What is the CSCA exam?
CSCA stands for China Scholastic Competency Assessment. It is an academic assessment designed for international students who intend to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in China.
The examination is organised by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), in collaboration with experts from Chinese universities. Its purpose is to assess students' academic abilities and Chinese language proficiency in relation to their intended programmes.
According to published CSCA guidance, from the 2026–2027 academic year, applicants to undergraduate programmes in China are expected to take the examination in accordance with the applicable requirements and prepare their results for admission applications. Students should check the specific requirements of their intended university and programme.
2. What subjects are included in the CSCA exam?
The CSCA includes specialised Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. The subjects students need to take depend on their intended major and the university's admission requirements.
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Specialised Chinese: There are two categories: Chinese for Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chinese for Science and Engineering. Students applying to programmes taught in Chinese should select the appropriate examination for their intended field of study.
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Mathematics: This is a compulsory subject under the published CSCA examination structure.
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Physics and Chemistry: Requirements vary by university and major. Applicants to science, engineering, agriculture or medical programmes may be required to take at least one of these subjects, depending on the applicable rules.
For undergraduate programmes taught entirely in English, students may be exempt from the specialised Chinese examination under the CSCA guidelines. In certain cases, applicants to Chinese language majors may also qualify for an exemption if they meet the relevant HSK certificate requirements.
Students should not select examination subjects based solely on the name of their intended major. They should first check the university's admission notice and list of eligible programmes.
3. CSCA exam format and structure
According to published CSCA guidance, the basic structure of each examination is as follows:
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Specialised Chinese: 90 minutes, 80 multiple-choice questions.
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Mathematics: 60 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions.
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Physics: 60 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions.
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Chemistry: 60 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions.
Each subject is marked out of 100. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry may be taken in Chinese or English, depending on the examination regulations and university requirements. The specialised Chinese examination is conducted in Chinese.
Students should consult the official syllabus for each subject to understand the topics covered and plan their revision accordingly, rather than relying solely on practice papers or materials from unverified sources.
4. How do students register for the CSCA exam?
Students can register online through the official CSCA website:
Before registering, applicants should prepare the following:
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A portrait photograph that meets the system's requirements.
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Valid identification documents.
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An active email address for receiving examination updates.
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Information about their intended university, major and examination subjects.
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A payment method accepted by the registration system.
After creating an account, students should check the examination schedule, format and examination location or applicable testing arrangements. Registration is complete only when all required steps have been fulfilled and the system confirms the application, including payment confirmation where applicable.
5. How much does the CSCA exam cost?
According to published CSCA guidance, the indicative examination fees are:
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One subject: RMB 450.
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Two or more subjects: RMB 700.
Fees and payment methods may change. Students should check the latest charges on the official website before making payment.
6. Is the CSCA exam compulsory for all students studying in China?
This is an important point to clarify.
The CSCA primarily targets international students applying for undergraduate programmes in China. Under the requirements announced for the 2026–2027 academic year, CSCA results are an important component of undergraduate admission applications where the relevant rules apply. Students applying for undergraduate programmes under the Chinese Government Scholarship scheme should pay particular attention to these requirements.
However, the required subjects, exemption conditions and deadlines for submitting results may vary according to the university, programme and admission category. Students applying for non-degree Chinese language courses or other types of programmes should not automatically assume that the same requirements apply.
Before registering for the examination, students should consult the official admission notice of their intended university to confirm whether they are required to take the CSCA.
7. What should students prepare for the 2027 intake?
To avoid missing application deadlines, students should follow these steps:
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Identify their preferred university, major and intended intake.
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Check whether the university requires the CSCA and which subjects must be taken.
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Confirm the appropriate examination language for their intended programme.
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Download the official syllabus and develop a study and practice schedule.
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Choose an examination date that allows sufficient time for results to be released before the application deadline.
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Check requirements for HSK or English language certificates, high school academic records and other supporting documents.
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Monitor the university's latest admission announcements for changes to eligibility requirements and submission deadlines.
Students should remember that obtaining a CSCA result does not guarantee university admission or a scholarship. Final decisions depend on the admission criteria and eligibility requirements of each university and programme.
8. Songda Tohoku Joint Stock Company supports students exploring study opportunities in China
Learning about the CSCA early allows students to plan their choice of major, language studies and university applications more effectively. Before registering for the examination or submitting an application, students and parents should cross-check the relevant information against official university announcements to avoid misunderstandings about examination subjects, fees and deadlines.
Songda Tohoku Joint Stock Company aims to support students in exploring study programmes that match their academic abilities, aspirations and family circumstances.
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