The introduction of the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, or CSCA, marks a significant turning point for those eyeing undergraduate programs in China. From 2026 onward, CSCA will become a decisive factor for admission to hundreds of Chinese universities, making early and accurate preparation critical for international applicants. This exam, set to plays a povital role from in admissions from 2026, will ensure international applicants are ready for the rigors of Chinese university life.
Whether you’re a high school graduate from Asia, Europe, or beyond, it is very important to know about the China CSCA exam date if you intend to apply for bachelor’s degrees in one of the fastest-growing education hubs. In this article from Admission Institute, we will try to explain everything from the very basics to the minutest details so you can get this new requirement with assurance.
The China Scholarship Council officially launched the CSCA exam registration, designed by experts from top Chinese universities to unify the admission process for international undergraduates. It is not just another test; instead, it’s supposed to assess one’s academic foundation and language skills to ensure that students are well prepared for China’s competitive academic environment.
China CSCA Exam 2026: Key Facts for International Students
Here is a quick overview of the China CSCA Exam for international undergraduate applicants (2026 intake):
| Category | Official CSCA Details (2026 Intake) |
| Exam Name | China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) |
| First Official Global Exam | December 21, 2025 |
| Mandatory From | 2026 undergraduate intake |
| Who Must Take It | International undergraduate applicants to Chinese Government Scholarship universities |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit; under 14 requires parental consent |
| Program Language | Chinese-taught and English-taught bachelor programs |
| Core Required Subject | Mathematics (mandatory for all applicants) |
| Chinese Language Requirement | Required for Chinese-taught programs; exempt with HSK Level 4 (180+) or English-taught programs |
| Optional Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography (based on major/university) |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice only |
| Duration | Chinese: 90 minutes; Other subjects: 60 minutes each |
| Exam Level | Chinese high school graduation (Grade 12) |
| Exam Modes | Online (remote proctoring), Computer-based test centers, Paper-based (limited regions) |
| First Exam Schedule (Dec 2025) | Chinese 13:00 → Math 15:30 → Physics 17:30 → Chemistry 19:30 (Beijing Time) |
| Exam Frequency (from 2026) | 5 sessions per year: January, March, April, June, December |
| Score Validity | 2 years |
| Results Release | 7 working days (online/CBT), up to 14 days (paper-based) |
| Exam Fee | 450 CNY (1 subject); max 700 CNY for 2+ subjects |
| Registration Platform | Official website: csca.cn |
| Retake Policy | Unlimited retakes; best score can be submitted |
| Use in Applications | Required for CSC universities; complements HSK, not a replacement |
Summary based on official CSCA announcements and 2025–2026 admission guidelines for international students. CSCA regulations and schedules are subject to change. Always confirm the latest requirements via the official CSCA platform and university admission guides. Updated 12/23/2025
Who is Required to Take the China CSCA Exam?
The target of the new exam would be international students in all undergraduate programs in China, whether scholarship-funded or self-financing. Students applying to one of the 306 Chinese Government Scholarship universities-in other words, big names like Beijing Language and Culture University or the University of Science and Technology Beijing will be required to submit their CSCA scores come 2026.
Exceptions include students in preparatory programs at appointed universities, such as Tianjin University or Shandong University, which may not be required to take it, and students under the age of 14, who must have parental consent. There is no upper age limit for taking the test, allowing non-traditional students to do so as well.
Importantly, the test targets bachelor studies taught either in Chinese or English. If your degree program is taught entirely in English, then you would be exempt from the Chinese part, but the mathematics portion remains uniform for all examinees. This universality underscores the exam’s role in ensuring a level playing field, regardless of your country of origin and their particularities of an education system.
Topics Covered on the CSCA Exam: What to Expect
It is not one single type of test-the CSCA has variations, depending on your intended major, with compulsory and optional subjects. On the core level, this is a “compulsory + optional” model, including five main areas: Professional Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and sometimes additional ones like Biology, History, or Geography, depending on the university.
1. Professional Chinese
Professional Chinese: It is divided into Humanities Chinese for liberal arts, business, and social sciences, and STEM Chinese for the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This test is a must for all programs taught in Chinese, in which students’ abilities to understand reading materials, use proper vocabulary, and express themselves using proper academic expressions are examined.
Students will be asked to complete tasks such as character recognition, cloze exercises, word distinction, paragraph construction, sentence completion, and reading on specific passages on topics related to science or culture. The whole test is 90 minutes long, with 80 questions in multiple-choice form. Those applying for English-taught programs or those applying for majors in Chinese with a valid HSK Level 4 (score 180+) are exempt.
2. Mathematics
Mathematics: The only universally required test, this 60-minute, 48 multiple-choice question test covers high school material in the areas of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, sequences, ellipses, and probability. You have a choice to take it in Chinese or English, so you can make your accommodation according to needs as a non-native speaker.
3. Physics and Chemistry
Physics and Chemistry: These subjects are optional, but are usually also required for STEM, agriculture, or medical majors. Each of them is a 60-minute, 48-question, multiple-choice test in Chinese or English on mechanics, electricity, molecular formula, reaction, etc. Some universities allow students to choose one or both, while some universities require students to take it depending on the program; for example, environmental engineering requires Physics.
Subject combinations differ per major and university. For instance, a liberal arts student in a Chinese-taught program probably has Humanities Chinese and Math only, whereas an engineering hopeful may have STEM Chinese, Math, Physics, and Chemistry. It is always a good idea to look through the target university’s admission guide as sometimes a certain institution provides more detailed information on subject arrangement, such as Tsinghua.
Exam Format, Duration, and Modes
Keeping things simple, CSCA is mainly multiple-choice and focuses on objective testing. The time required for each subject is fixed: 90 minutes for Chinese and 60 minutes for other subjects. Based on the structure, time pressure is expected to be one of the main challenges, especially in Professional Chinese. Questions are set at the Chinese high school graduation level, so finishing secondary school puts you in the ballpark-just brush up on academic terminology. Based on early registration and system check procedures, technical compliance—especially camera setup and internet stability—appears to be stricter than many standard online university exams.
The exam is available in three modes to help international applicants.
On_site Monitoring: The most common, especially initially. You’ll need a Windows 7+ computer, stable 20Mbps internet, dual cameras for monitoring, and a quiet room. It’s remotely supervised to prevent cheating from occurring.
- Computer-Based at Test Centers: Accessible at accredited locations for a more traditional setting.
- Paper-Based: Offered in areas where the access to technology is at a minimum; used less frequently.
Being the inaugural run, it would mostly be online, with offline options in places like Vietnam and Thailand. Center expansion would cover India, South Korea, Malaysia, and other top source countries as the program expands.
Exam Dates of CSCA: Important Schedules for 2025-2026
That is everything regarding preparation for the China CSCA Exam. Timing is everything in preparation for the CSCA. The first global exam starts on December 21, 2025, and the sessions run at 13:00 Beijing Time for Chinese, followed by Math at 15:30, Physics at 17:30, and Chemistry at 19:30. This is important for early applicants of 2026.
Starting in 2026, the test will go into a regular five-per-year rotation: January, March, April, June, and December.
Confirmed dates are January 25, 2026 (registration December 23, 2025–January 10, 2026), and March 15, 2026. Sessions are regionally optimized: December, April, and June sessions are Asia-Pacific-friendly; January and March are Europe/Americas-friendly. If you want to enroll in September of 2026, you should take your test earlier to have scores in for your applications in time.
On October 12, 2025, a test run occurred for scholarship prep students, but that is not open to everyone.
CSCA Examination Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide
CSCA Registration is easy, but it does require attention to detail. Everything is done online through their website, www.csca.cn, which is available in both Chinese and English.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare Documents: Have one passport-sized photo ready, a valid ID such as a passport, and the preferred means of payment.
2. Create Account: Register with long-term email and verify it.
3. Fill Out the Form: Fill in the personal information, choose the program language and main course to view the required subjects.
4. Select Options: The candidate needs to choose the exam date, mode of exam-online/home computer or paper, and subjects.
5. Pay and Confirm: Fees are due with registration; you will be sent an admission ticket by email.
6. Technology Check: If exams are online, conduct a system diagnostic test, for example, an internet speed test December 2-5, 2025, for the first exam
Deadlines vary: for December 2025, registration opened November 10 and closed November 28. Corrections are possible once via email to [email protected] with proof. Early registration recommended: spots at offline centers can fill up.
Fees, Payment, and Refunds
Rather affordable: 450 CNY, about $63, for one subject, capping at 700 for two or more. The fee includes payments with Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, Visa, or MasterCard. Refunds are accepted any time before an admission ticket is issued; after one has locked in, there’s no going back. This structure thus arguably incentivizes taking multiple subjects in one go if need be.
Test Centers and Global Accessibility
While the CSCA begins with a heavy emphasis on home-based online testing, offline centers are coming online. For December 2025, choices include Vietnam and Thailand. By 2026, expansion is expected to 20 major source countries, including hybrid models. Check the official site for updates—locations are announced per session.
How to Prepare: Tips, Resources, and Syllabus
Preparation towards acing the CSCA: First, download the official syllabus at https://csca.cn/testprep/examsv aligned with the standard of Chinese grade 12. For Chinese, focus on HSK 4-5 level vocab plus academic reading, for example, passaged about 300-500 characters, and inference questions. Math will include sequences and trig; Physics: mechanics; Chemistry: reactions.
The tips are:
- Timeline: If starting from scratch, dedicate 12+ months; with HSK 3-4, 6 months suffices. Practice mocks every week.
- Strategies: While reading, read questions first; eliminate incorrect answers. Work on building speed—67.5 seconds per question for Chinese
- Resources: Free mocks available on CUCAS, previous papers provided with Google Drive links, reference books (a list is downloadable in PDF format), and online courses with multilingual subtitles. Institutions provide foundation programs for extra preparation.
One week out: Test your setup, adjust sleep, do light reviews.
Scoring, Results, and Score Validity
Each subject is scored out of 100; universities access your percentile rank globally. Results drop within seven working days for online/computer tests and in 14 for paper. Scores are valid for 2 years, and you may retake as needed—submit the best ones. Universities set their cutoffs; hence, try to score high to enjoy scholarships in China.
Using CSCA in Your University Application
Your CSCA transcript is to be used for the applications of 2026 at scholarship universities. It gives a plus to your profile by showing your preparedness. There are some non-scholarship schools that may be exempted, but then you should check lists, for example, SIAS University does not require this. Use it along with HSK for Chinese programs because CSCA cannot substitute language certificates.
Common Questions Regarding China CSCA Exam
- Is HSK enough? No, CSCA is separate but supposed to complement it.
- Can I retake? Yes, unlimited, valid scores only
- Isn’t there an exemption? Confirm with your university, e.g., Chinese majors with HSK 4.
- How does this affect scholarships? It is one of the major things taken into consideration under the CSC funding.
Conclusion
The China CSCA Exam is another exciting evolution in the world of international education, granting admission to top universities in China while making sure that one is prepared for the challenge. For those seeking applications in 2026, mastery of this test can be the passageway to transformative experiences within one of the most dynamic countries on the face of the planet.
Prepare early, stay updated via official channels, and remember, this isn’t just about passing-it’s about proving your potential. With the right approach, you’ll not only meet the requirements but stand out in a global pool of talent. Good luck on your journey to study in China! For additional information about CSCA exam date and registration guide contact us.
FAQS:
1. When will results for the December 21, 2025 CSCA exam be released?
The results of the first CSCA test, which took place on December 21st, 2025, will be released within 7 working days online and computer-based-assessed (for the majority of candidates) and up to 14 working days for any paper-based candidates. Candidates can log in to the official website, www.csca.cn, to check their scores. The reports will also be sent directly to universities.
2. Would it be possible to register for a CSCA exam, in case the session presented in December 2025 was missed?
Yes! The registration for the next session on January 25th, 2026, starts today, which is the 23rd of December 2025, and will be open until the 10th of January 2026. Log in to www.csca.cn immediately to register an account, select subjects, and secure your seat-especially important if you are to apply for enrollment for September 2026.
3. Does the CSCA examination become compulsory for all undergraduate applications in China starting from 2026?
It is compulsory for all the international applicants who aim at being admitted to one of the 306 Chinese Government Scholarship universities-including top institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University-for the 2026 intake and beyond. Non-scholarship or certain specific English-taught programs may be exempted, which always needs confirmation with an admission guide from your target university.
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