Exam Introduction
What is CSCA?
The Undergraduate Academic Competency Test for International Students in China (CSCA) is a standardized test designed for international students planning to pursue undergraduate degrees in China.
The China Scholarship Council (CSCA) is organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and jointly developed with experts from Chinese universities. It aims to assess students’ language proficiency and academic foundation, helping them better prepare academically for undergraduate studies in China. CSCA scores are also one of the important criteria that Chinese universities consider in undergraduate admissions and scholarship evaluations.
Why choose CSCA?
CSCA helps students better understand their current situation and prepare them to smoothly adapt to undergraduate courses in China by comprehensively assessing their language proficiency and subject knowledge.
- Widely recognized: Widely accepted by Chinese universities
- Academic Orientation: Focusing on language and subject-specific competency assessment to help students enhance their learning competitiveness.
- Application support: Providing academic basis for university admissions and scholarship evaluation.
| Subject | Optional Exam Language | Exam Duration | Number of Questions | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Chinese (Liberal Arts) | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 objective multiple-choice questions | 0–100 |
| Professional Chinese (Science) | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 objective multiple-choice questions | 0–100 |
| Math (Basic Subjects) | Chinese / English | 60 minutes | 48 objective multiple-choice questions | 0–100 |
| Physics (Basic Subjects) | Chinese / English | 60 minutes | 48 objective multiple-choice questions | 0–100 |
| Chemistry (Basic Subjects) | Chinese / English | 60 minutes | 48 objective multiple-choice questions | 0–100 |
Note: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry exams are offered in both Chinese and English. Candidates should choose the appropriate exam language based on the university’s application requirements.
How to choose CSCA exam subjects?
Please determine the subjects you need to take based on your application type:
1. Candidates planning to apply for Chinese government scholarship undergraduate degree programs
Required subjects:
(1) Mathematics
(2) Professional Chinese (please select the professional Chinese category according to the requirements of the relevant major of the university you are applying to)
Optional subjects: Physics and Chemistry (please confirm whether these subjects are required based on the specific requirements of the relevant major at the university you are applying to).
List of institutions: https://campuschina.org/zh/universities/index.html
2. Candidates who plan to apply for undergraduate degree programs at the above-mentioned universities that are not sponsored by the Chinese government scholarship program.
Required subjects:
(1) Mathematics
(2) Professional Chinese (Required for applications to programs taught in Chinese. Please select the Professional Chinese category according to the requirements of the relevant programs at the universities you are applying to)
Optional subjects: Physics and Chemistry (please confirm whether these subjects are required based on the specific requirements of the relevant major at the university you are applying to).
Exam time
The first CSCA exam in the world will be held on December 21, 2025.
The specific arrangements are as follows (Beijing time):
Professional Chinese: 13:00 – 14:30
Mathematics: 15:30 – 16:30
Physics: 17:30 – 18:30
Chemistry: 19:30 – 20:30
Starting in 2026, CSCA will enter a regular operation phase, organizing five exams annually in January, March, April, June, and December. In setting the specific exam times, we will consider global time zone differences to ensure that candidates worldwide can choose the most convenient exam time.
Exams scheduled for December, April, and June will be prioritized to be held during daytime working hours in the Asia-Pacific region.
The exams in January and March will be scheduled during daytime working hours in Europe, America, and Africa.
Exam format
In the initial stage of the exam , online testing will be the primary mode of testing , while offline testing centers (centralized computer-based testing or paper-based testing) will be gradually established in key source countries and regions .
In 2025, CSCA will establish its first offline test centers in Vietnam and Thailand, realizing a combined online and offline testing layout. Currently, more test centers in other countries and regions are under construction.
Grades related
All CSCA subjects are graded on a 100-point scale. The scores are used as a reference, and each university that uses the scores sets its own admission standards based on its own program requirements.
Results release times vary depending on the exam format. Results for home-based online exams and in-person computer-based exams will be released within 7 business days after the exam; results for paper-based exams will be released within 14 business days after the exam.
Exam Fees
| Number of Subjects to Take | Fees (RMB) |
|---|---|
| 1 subject | 450 yuan |
| 2 or more subjects | 700 yuan |