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CSCA Exam Dates 2026: Complete Schedule

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CSCA plans five exam sessions in 2026 — January, March, April, June, and December. Three sessions have been completed, with the December session dates yet to be announced.

Home-based CSCA test setup with laptop, second device, router, and clear desk

2026 CSCA Exam Schedule Overview

China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) has announced five exam sessions for 2026. The exams are scheduled for January, March, April, June, and December. As of July 2026, three sessions have been completed successfully.

2026 Session Status

Session Date Status
1 January 2026 Completed
2 March 15, 2026 Completed
3 April 25, 2026 Completed
4 June 27, 2026 Completed
5 December 2026 Dates to be announced

The December session dates will be published on csca.cn when the registration system opens.

June 2026: New Computer-based Test Centers

The June 2026 session introduced three new computer-based test centers in mainland China:

Test Center Locations

  1. Nanjing Normal University (Xianlin Campus)

    • Address: Tiangong Building, No. 2 Xuelin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu

  2. Central University of Finance and Economics (South College Road Campus)

    • Address: Experimental Building, No. 39 South College Road, Haidian District, Beijing

  3. Tongji University (Huxi Campus)

    • Address: Second Teaching Building, No. 500 Zhennan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai

These centers complement the home-based online proctored format that remains the primary testing method.

Subject Times (Beijing Time)

All CSCA subjects are scheduled at fixed time slots on exam day:

Subject Duration Beijing Time
Professional Chinese 90 min 12:00 – 13:30
Physics 60 min 15:00 – 16:00
Mathematics 60 min 18:00 – 19:00
Chemistry 60 min 20:30 – 21:30

Candidates taking multiple subjects should plan for a full-day schedule.

Exam Formats

CSCA is available in three formats:

  • Home-based online proctored test — the primary format, available globally
  • Onsite computer-based test — available at select centers in China
  • Paper-based test — available at limited locations

Result Release Timeline

Format Result Window
Computer-based / Online Within 7 working days after exam
Paper-based Within 14 working days after exam

Scores range from 0 to 100 and serve as a reference indicator for university admissions.

Exam Fees

Number of Subjects Fee (CNY)
1 subject 450
2 or more subjects 700

Planning for December 2026

The December session is the last opportunity for the 2026 cycle. Candidates planning to apply for September 2027 intake should:

  1. Monitor csca.cn for registration dates
  2. Prepare required documents in advance
  3. Complete registration promptly when the portal opens

Source Note

This is an independent summary based on public CSCA materials. Always verify current registration rules, fees, test centers, and notices on csca.cn before making an application decision.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Application

What is the difference between CSCA and direct application?

CSCA provides a standardized assessment recognized by Chinese universities, primarily used for Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate admissions. Direct application means applying to universities individually without a unified exam. CSCA streamlines the process with a single score accepted by multiple universities, while direct application may require different entrance exams or materials for each university. CSCA scores serve as a reference indicator, not a hard cutoff.

What is the CSCA score cutoff?

CSCA does not have a unified admission cutoff score. Scores (0–100) are a reference indicator for university admissions and scholarship decisions. Each university sets its own score requirements based on the program and competition level. Contact your target university directly for their specific score expectations.

Does the CSCA score affect scholarship decisions?

Yes. CSCA was designed as a reference indicator for both admissions and scholarship evaluation (奖学金评审参考). For Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applicants, CSCA is mandatory and scores are considered in the scholarship review process. Higher CSCA scores may improve your competitiveness for scholarships, though the exact weight varies by university.

Can I apply to Chinese universities without CSCA?

Yes, you can apply without CSCA through direct application. CSCA is primarily required for Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) undergraduate applicants and is increasingly adopted by other universities. Non-CGS applicants may apply directly to universities that accept direct applications. However, having CSCA scores can strengthen your application. Check your target university's specific admission requirements.