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China undergraduate admissions · 2026 guide

Understand the CSCA exam before applying.

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment evaluates the academic and language readiness of international students applying for undergraduate study in Mainland China. Universities may use the transcript for admission and scholarship review.

Undergraduate applicants100 marks per subjectFive sessions each yearOfficial registration: csca.cnLast reviewed: 10 August 2026
Who needs it?

CSCA is important—but the exact requirement is programme-specific.

The test is for non-Chinese citizens planning undergraduate study in Mainland China. It is not presented as a general requirement for master's or PhD admission.

Government scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship applicants

Official guidance makes CSCA a required application material for international undergraduate applicants to Chinese Government Scholarship universities in the 2026 and 2027 academic years.

Self-funded and other scholarships

University rules can extend further

Some universities require CSCA for self-funded undergraduate admission or use it when deciding university and provincial scholarships. Always confirm the target programme's current notice.

Do not choose subjects from a general list alone. University, major, teaching language and scholarship route can change the required combination and minimum score. Admission and scholarship decisions remain with the university.
Subject selection

Mathematics is central; other papers depend on your route.

Professional Chinese has Humanities and STEM versions. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry can be taken in Chinese or English.

Application routeLikely CSCA subjectsWhat must be verified
Chinese-taught humanitiesMathematics + Humanities ChineseUniversity score threshold and any additional subject
Chinese-taught STEMMathematics + STEM Chinese; Physics and/or Chemistry may applyThe exact science paper required for the major
English-taught business or humanitiesMathematics is commonly required; Professional Chinese may be exemptUniversity, scholarship and programme-specific exemption
English-taught science, engineering, agriculture or medicineMathematics plus Physics and/or Chemistry is commonly requiredRequired science paper, language and minimum score

Official notices are not perfectly uniform across every university. AlimStudy Global will verify the current requirement against the chosen programme before recommending a subject combination.

Official syllabus overview

What each CSCA paper covers.

All papers use objective multiple-choice questions. Download the current official syllabus before beginning preparation.

60 minutes · 48 questions

Mathematics

  • Sets and inequalities
  • Functions, sequences, trigonometry and introductory derivatives/calculus
  • Analytic and solid geometry, vectors and complex numbers
  • Probability, statistics and normal-distribution basics
60 minutes · 48 questions

Physics

  • Mechanics, motion, forces, momentum, energy and gravitation
  • Electrostatics, circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction
  • Thermodynamics and ideal gases
  • Geometrical/physical optics and modern physics
60 minutes · 48 questions

Chemistry

  • Chemical concepts, equations, concentration, pH and quantitative calculations
  • Inorganic and basic organic substances, redox and ionic reactions
  • Atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, kinetics and equilibrium
  • Laboratory safety, gas preparation, separation and industrial applications
90 minutes · 80 questions

Professional Chinese

  • Character recognition, vocabulary, sentence completion and reading comprehension
  • STEM Chinese: academic mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing language
  • Humanities Chinese: literature, philosophy, law, education, history, arts and related disciplines
  • This paper is offered in Chinese only
Open official CSCA syllabuses ↗
Schedule and cost

Five examination periods are planned each year.

For 2026 the official cycle is January, March, April, June and December. Exact dates and registration windows must be checked on the official registration system.

12:00–13:30Professional Chinese
15:00–16:00Physics
18:00–19:00Mathematics
20:30–21:30Chemistry
All times shown are Beijing Time (UTC+8). The official platform may publish session-specific arrangements. As of this review, a precise December 2026 date and registration window should be confirmed directly at csca.cn rather than predicted.
Official fee

CNY 450

One subject.

Official fee

CNY 700

Two or more subjects in the registered combination.

Registration and results

Use the official CSCA platform and protect your identity data.

Registration is complete only after the candidate receives confirmation from the official system.

Confirm the programme

Check whether CSCA is required and identify the correct subjects, language and score expectation.

Prepare documents

Use a long-term personal email, valid original passport, compliant digital ID photo and supported payment method.

Register officially

Create the candidate account at csca.cn, enter identity details exactly as shown in the passport and pay online.

Download admission ticket

Check the ticket carefully and bring the same valid original passport used for registration.

Sit the test

Choose an available authorized centre or home-based online format shown for the session and location.

Receive the score

Online and computer-based results are normally released within seven working days; paper results within fourteen.

Home-based online test

Prepare the equipment and room before exam day.

The official online guide requires a controlled environment and two-camera monitoring.

Primary computer

Windows computer, minimum 4 GB memory, at least 1366×768 display, camera, microphone and speakers. The published guide says macOS is not supported.

Second camera

A phone or tablet provides the secondary proctoring view from approximately 45 degrees behind and beside the candidate.

Internet and testing

A stable wired connection is recommended. The guide calls for a full system check and participation in the scheduled mock process.

Private exam room

No other person, external monitor, remote desktop, virtual machine or prohibited material. Failure to meet camera and room rules can invalidate the result.

AlimStudy and CUCAS support

What we can responsibly help with.

CUCAS publishes university-specific CSCA document requirements and operates a separate entrance-exam mock-test platform.

Programme and subject verification

We can shortlist programmes available through our partner network and check the currently published CSCA subject and score requirements.

Application coordination

Where a CUCAS-supported application route is available, AlimStudy can coordinate the university application and required CSCA evidence.

Registration checklist

We can help the student prepare the official-registration information, device checklist and timeline without taking control of personal credentials.

Mock-test guidance

CUCAS's CEEMT is a separate mock/entrance-exam service. It must not be described as the official government CSCA or as a replacement unless a university says so in writing.

No unverified promise: AlimStudy Global will not claim that CUCAS can register every candidate for the official CSCA. Official exam registration remains through csca.cn unless an authorized route is confirmed in writing for the individual case.

Planning a China bachelor's application?

Request a programme-specific check before choosing CSCA subjects or paying an exam fee.

Start free assessment
Primary references

Check the latest official notice before registering.

Schedules, test centres, technical rules and university requirements can change.

Official CSCA examination introduction ↗Official registration process ↗Official examination syllabuses ↗Official Shanghai online-test and equipment guide ↗Guangdong University of Foreign Studies CSCA introduction ↗CUCAS CEEMT mock-test platform ↗