Students planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in China in 2027 should understand the CSCA examination before preparing their university applications. This assessment may be an important requirement for international applicants, particularly those applying to undergraduate programmes at participating universities under the Chinese Government Scholarship scheme.

Understanding the examination schedule, required subjects, test format, fees and registration procedures will help students prepare effectively and avoid missing important deadlines.

1. What is the CSCA examination?

CSCA stands for China Scholastic Competency Assessment. It is an academic assessment designed for international students applying for undergraduate study in China. The examination is administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

The purpose of the CSCA is to assess applicants' academic readiness for undergraduate study at Chinese universities. Depending on the university and programme, examination results may be used as part of the admissions process.

Students should not assume that every international study programme has the same CSCA requirements. The applicable rules depend on the university, degree programme, language of instruction and admission or scholarship scheme.

Official website: <Link url="https://www.csca.cn/" title="CSCA Official Website" />

2. Who needs to take the CSCA examination?

For the 2026–2027 academic year, CSCA has been introduced as a requirement for international applicants applying for undergraduate programmes at participating universities under the Chinese Government Scholarship scheme.

However, students should verify the exact requirements for their intended university and programme before registering.

In particular, applicants should check:

• Whether their chosen university requires CSCA results.

• Whether the requirement applies to their specific undergraduate programme.

• Which examination subjects they must take.

• Whether the university has additional academic or language requirements.

• The deadline for submitting CSCA results as part of the application.

Students applying for Chinese-language courses that do not lead to an undergraduate degree should not automatically assume that the same requirements apply.

3. Which subjects are included in the CSCA examination?

The CSCA examination includes four subject areas:

• Professional Chinese – Humanities track.

• Professional Chinese – STEM track.

• Mathematics.

• Physics.

• Chemistry.

The subjects required depend on the applicant's intended programme and the university's admissions policy.

Mathematics is a core subject under the CSCA examination guidelines. Physics and Chemistry requirements may vary according to the intended field of study and the university's rules.

For programmes in science, engineering, agriculture or medicine, applicants may be required to take Physics, Chemistry or both, depending on the programme.

Students should also check the Chinese-language requirements carefully. Applicants to fully English-taught undergraduate programmes may be exempt from the Professional Chinese examination under the applicable guidelines. Applicants majoring in Chinese Language may also qualify for an exemption if they hold a valid HSK Level 4 certificate and meet the relevant conditions.

Do not select examination subjects based solely on general advice. Confirm the requirements with the university before registering.

4. What is the format of the CSCA examination?

The examination format varies by subject.

Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry may be taken in Chinese or English, subject to the available examination options and the requirements of the intended programme.

Students should familiarise themselves with the official syllabus and question format for every subject they plan to take. Preparation should focus on both subject knowledge and the ability to complete multiple-choice questions within the allocated time.

5. What are the CSCA examination dates for 2026–2027?

The official CSCA website has published the examination schedule covering November 2026 to June 2027.

The published dates are as follows:

For the November 2026 session, the official registration period runs from 15 October 2026 at 15:00 to 21 October 2026 at 23:59, Beijing time (UTC+8).

Students planning to take this session should check their registration status and complete the required procedures before the deadline. Registration periods for subsequent sessions will be announced separately.

Official schedule: <Link url="https://www.csca.cn/" title="CSCA Examination Schedule and Notices" />

6. How much does the CSCA examination cost?

According to the published fee information, the examination fee is:

• One subject: RMB 450.

• Two or more subjects: RMB 700.

Applicants should confirm the applicable fee on the official CSCA registration portal before making payment, as examination arrangements and fees may be updated.

Before paying, students should make sure that they have selected the correct examination session and all the subjects required by their intended university.

7. Can students take the CSCA examination online?

The CSCA examination arrangements include home-based online testing and computer-based testing at designated examination centres. The available options depend on the particular examination session and the arrangements in the candidate's location.

Students should read the relevant examination handbook carefully before selecting a test format.

For online examinations, candidates must pay particular attention to the technical requirements, including their computer, internet connection, camera arrangements and examination environment. They should also complete any required system checks in advance.

For examinations at designated centres, students should confirm the test location, reporting time and identification requirements.

Do not assume that every test format is available in every country or for every session. Check the official instructions before registering.

8. When will CSCA examination results be released?

The result-release period depends on the examination format and the applicable official procedures.

Published guidance indicates that results for online and centralised computer-based examinations may be available within seven working days, while paper-based examinations, where offered, may take longer.

Students should verify the result-release timeline in the official notice for their examination session.

When planning their university applications, applicants should allow sufficient time for results to be released and submitted. They should also check whether each university requires the results to be uploaded by the applicant or submitted through an official system.

Do not wait until the last available examination session without checking the university's application deadline. An examination date alone does not guarantee that the results will arrive in time for admission or scholarship consideration.

9. How should students prepare for the CSCA examination?

Effective preparation begins with confirming the requirements of the intended university and programme.

Students can follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm the admission requirements.

Identify the universities and undergraduate programmes you intend to apply for. Check which CSCA subjects are required and whether any exemptions apply.

Step 2: Review the official syllabus.

Study the syllabus and examination guidance for each required subject. Identify topics that need additional practice.

Step 3: Assess your current level.

Complete practice questions or sample tests to identify strengths and weaknesses. Use the results to prioritise your revision.

Step 4: Practise under timed conditions.

The examination has a fixed time limit for each subject. Regular timed practice can help you improve accuracy and manage your time more effectively.

Step 5: Prepare the required equipment and documents.

If taking the examination online, check the technical requirements early. If attending an examination centre, prepare your identification documents and review the centre's instructions.

Step 6: Plan backwards from your application deadline.

Choose an examination session that allows enough time for results to be released and submitted. If possible, leave room for another attempt should you need one.

10. What should students check before registering for the CSCA?

Before completing registration, students should use the following checklist:

• Confirm that CSCA is required by the intended university and programme.

• Verify the subjects that must be taken.

• Check whether the examination language meets the programme's requirements.

• Confirm the examination date and registration deadline.

• Review the examination format and technical requirements.

• Check the current examination fees.

• Ensure that personal information matches the relevant identification documents.

• Keep the registration and payment confirmations.

• Check when results are expected to be released.

• Confirm the university's deadline for receiving CSCA results.

The CSCA is an important part of the undergraduate application process for many international students planning to study in China. Preparing early and checking official requirements can help students avoid unnecessary mistakes and manage their application timeline more effectively.

The most reliable approach is to verify all examination details directly with the official CSCA website and the admissions office of the intended university. Requirements may differ between institutions and programmes, so students should not rely on a single general rule when making their application plans.

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