What Is the CSCA Exam?

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is an academic assessment for international students applying for undergraduate study in China. It is organized by the China Scholarship Council and is used as a reference in university admissions and scholarship review.

CSCA is not a universal admission cutoff. Each university and program decides whether it needs CSCA results and how it evaluates them alongside the rest of an application.

What CSCA Measures

CSCA has five subject areas: Professional Chinese for humanities applicants, Professional Chinese for science applicants, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Professional Chinese is offered in Chinese. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are available in Chinese or English.

Each subject uses single-answer multiple-choice questions. The two Professional Chinese papers are 90 minutes with 80 questions. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are 60 minutes with 48 questions each. Every paper is reported on a 0-100 score range.

The assessment is intended for undergraduate applicants. It can help institutions compare academic readiness, but an applicant should always check the requirements for the specific program they plan to join.

How the Test Can Be Taken

CSCA currently supports home-based online testing and can also be offered as onsite computer-based or paper-based testing. Availability depends on the session and location, so applicants should check the current registration notice before making plans.

The home-based option has additional technical requirements. It requires a Windows computer, a single physical monitor, at least 4 GB of memory, and a stable connection with at least 20 Mbps upload and download speed. A second device is used for rear monitoring.

Fees, Results, and Next Steps

The current fee is CNY 450 for one subject or CNY 700 for two or more subjects. Computer-based and online-test results are released within seven working days after the exam. Paper-based results are released within 14 working days.

The public CSCA materials do not state a fixed score-validity period. Confirm whether a program accepts an earlier score directly with its admissions office. Before registering, review the CSCA subjects and test format and choose subjects that match the requirements of your target program.

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.