CSCA Exam
来华留学本科入学学业水平测试
What is the CSCA exam?
China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a standardized test designed for international students who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in China.
Organized by China Scholarship Council (CSC) and jointly developed with experts from Chinese universities, CSCA assesses students’ language proficiency and academic readiness, helping them better prepare for undergraduate studies in China.
CSCA is also an important reference used by Chinese universities in their admission and scholarship evaluation processes.
FAQ 常见问题
Next sitting: December 2026 · 1 still to come
Q: Who needs to take the CSCA exam? 谁必须参加 CSCA 统考？
A: All applicants to undergraduate programs, including both scholarship and self-financed programs, at the 306 CSC universities must take the CSCA exam. The score is a mandatory prerequisite.
Q: Do applicants for master’s or doctoral programs need to take it? 硕博研究生需要参加吗？
A: No. CSCA is currently designed specifically for international students applying for undergraduate programs in China. Master’s and doctoral applicants are not required to take it; their admission assessments follow the requirements set by the target university.
Q: Exam dates? 考试时间
21 December 202525 January 202615 March 2026April 2026June 2026- December 2026 下一场
Q: Is it required for non-degree and Chinese language programs? 汉语进修与非学历生需要参加吗？
A: No. It is compulsory only for undergraduate applicants to a CSC university. Applicants to the Chinese Language major holding a valid HSK Level 4 certificate are additionally exempt from the Professional Chinese paper.
Whether a specific program requires CSCA is not in this catalogue yet
Test subjects and fees
| Subjects | Test language | Duration | Number of multiple-choice questions | Score range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Chinese | Humanities | Chinese | 90 min | 80 | 0–100 |
| STEM | Chinese | 90 min | 80 | 0–100 | |
| Fundamental Subjects | Mathematics | Chinese/English | 60 min | 48 | 0–100 |
| Physics | Chinese/English | 60 min | 48 | 0–100 | |
| Chemistry | Chinese/English | 60 min | 48 | 0–100 | |
Note: Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English. Test-takers may choose the test language according to the requirements of their intended university.
| Subjects booked | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| One subject | 450 RMB |
| Two or more subjects | 700 RMB |
Note: Paid on csca.cn at the end of registration, which accepts Alipay, WeChat Pay, and overseas bank cards. Your registration is only confirmed after successful payment.
Everything the briefing says, set out as guides
CSCA's briefing of 3 February 2026 covers what the exam is, how to register and how to prepare. We have set the whole of it out in its own words, with the programs it recommends beside it. You can open each one below.
CSCA Admission Test Guide 考试介绍
What CSCA is, who has to take it, the format and how it is administered, how scores are released, and what registration costs.
CSCA Exam Registration Guide 报考全指南
The key dates, and the registration process step by step.
The Ultimate Study Guide 备考全指南
The full syllabus for all four papers, and the exam instructions: device and network, testing environment, and the rules.
CSCA Exam FAQ 常见问题
Who has to sit it, whether master's and doctoral applicants do, and when the sittings are.
2026 Program Recommendations 2026 项目推荐
The programs the February briefing recommended, with the figures it printed, and a link to the live catalogue for each city.
Ask an advisor
For more help with CSCA, or to look for programs whose universities do not ask for it, contact the Joda.edu team.
From your account. The answer comes back in writing and stays there.
Ask a question