CSCA
Exam: What It Is and Who Needs It
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is the entrance exam Chinese universities use for international undergraduate applicants. It covers Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Professional Chinese, and every paper is scored from 0 to 100. Registration, dates and fees are published on csca.cn.
What is CSCA?
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is an undergraduate entrance exam used by participating Chinese universities to evaluate international applicants.
Test Format
Prepare for timed, multiple-choice CSCA Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry questions based on the knowledge international undergraduate applicants are expected to use.
The CSCA Exam at a Glance
The CSCA is the undergraduate entrance exam participating Chinese universities use for international applicants. The Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry papers each have 48 single-choice questions in 60 minutes; Professional Chinese has 80 questions in 90 minutes. Every paper is scored from 0 to 100.
Check the official CSCA exam introduction and your university's admission notice for current subject requirements.
- Full name
- China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)
- Who takes it
- International applicants to undergraduate programs at participating Chinese universities
- Subjects
- Mathematics (required), Physics and Chemistry (depending on the program), Professional Chinese (Chinese-taught programs)
- Maths, Physics, Chemistry
- 48 single-choice questions in 60 minutes, in Chinese or English
- Professional Chinese
- 80 questions in 90 minutes, in Chinese
- Scoring
- 0 to 100 per paper
- Official website
- csca.cn
Quick answers
What is the CSCA exam?
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is an undergraduate entrance exam that participating Chinese universities use to evaluate international applicants. It is an academic readiness check that sits alongside the rest of your application, not a standalone admission decision.
Which CSCA subjects do I need to take?
Mathematics is required for all applicants. According to csca.cn, Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applicants also take Professional Chinese, as do applicants to Chinese-taught programs. Physics and Chemistry depend on your program: Chemistry is commonly requested for chemistry, engineering, materials science, pharmacy, medicine and other laboratory-based programs, and some programs ask for both. Always check each university's requirements.
What is the CSCA exam format?
The Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry papers each have 48 single-choice questions to answer in 60 minutes, in Chinese or English. The Professional Chinese paper has 80 questions in 90 minutes. Every paper is scored from 0 to 100.
Who has to take the CSCA?
International applicants to bachelor's programs at participating Chinese universities, including Chinese Government Scholarship applicants. The official rollout extends it to more universities each year, so check whether your university requires it for your intake.
When is the CSCA exam held?
The CSCA runs six sessions a year, usually in January, March, April, June, November and December, and each session has its own short registration window. The official session calendar and registration deadlines are published on csca.cn.
How much does the CSCA cost?
Published notices give the fee as 450 CNY for one subject and 700 CNY for two or more subjects. Confirm the current fee on csca.cn when you register.
What is the CSCA passing score?
There is no single national pass mark. Each subject is scored from 0 to 100, and each university decides what scores it accepts for each program.
Is the CSCA exam hard?
The content is familiar to most science-stream students, but each Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry paper gives you about 75 seconds per question, so speed and accuracy are the real challenge. Timed practice under exam conditions helps most.
Can I use a calculator in the CSCA exam?
The published exam rules do not list a calculator among the permitted items, so plan to work every calculation by hand. Check the candidate notice on csca.cn for your session before test day.
When do CSCA results come out?
According to csca.cn, results are published within 10 working days of the exam. Each subject is scored separately from 0 to 100.
Can I retake the CSCA?
Yes. Because the CSCA runs several sessions a year, you can register for a later session and sit a subject again. Leave enough time for the new result to arrive before your universities' deadlines.
Is this CSCA the same as the IMA CSCA certificate?
No. The China Scholastic Competency Assessment is an entrance exam for Chinese universities. The IMA's Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (also CSCA) is an unrelated professional accounting certificate.
Is CSCA.ai the official CSCA exam provider?
No. CSCA.ai is an independent preparation platform. Official rules, dates and fees are set by the exam organisers and published on the official CSCA website, csca.cn, so confirm them there for your session.
Choosing where to apply? The Study in China guide from WiseAdmit, the team behind CSCA.ai, compares Chinese universities, programs, costs, and scholarships.
