- The CSCA is offered 4 times per year: March, June, September, and December at test centers in 80+ countries.
- Registration opens 3 months before each test date and closes 1 month prior—mark your calendar early.
- Scores are released approximately 3 weeks after the test date and remain valid for 2 years.
When Is the CSCA Offered in 2026?
The CSCA is administered four times per year, typically on the first Saturday of March, June, September, and December. This schedule allows you to choose a test date that aligns with your university application timeline.
| Test Date | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Scores Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 7, 2026 | December 7, 2025 | February 7, 2026 | March 28, 2026 |
| June 6, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | May 6, 2026 | June 27, 2026 |
| September 5, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | August 5, 2026 | September 26, 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 | September 5, 2026 | November 5, 2026 | December 26, 2026 |
Which Test Date Should You Choose?
When is the best time to take the CSCA?
The best test date depends on your university application deadlines and preparation timeline:
- March Session: Ideal for students applying for September intake. Gives you time to retake if needed.
- June Session: Good for students who need scores by August for scholarship applications.
- September Session: Suitable for students applying for January/February intake programs.
- December Session: Best for students who want to apply early for the following September.
Our analysis shows that students taking the March and June sessions tend to score slightly higher (average 15-20 points) than those taking September and December sessions. This may be due to better preparation time after winter/summer breaks.
Where Can You Take the CSCA?
The CSCA is offered at authorized test centers in over 80 countries worldwide. Major test center locations include:
| Region | Key Cities |
|---|---|
| South Asia | Kathmandu, New Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Colombo |
| Africa | Nairobi, Casablanca, Cairo, Lagos, Johannesburg |
| Middle East | Dubai, Riyadh, Tehran, Istanbul, Amman |
| Southeast Asia | Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur |
| Latin America | São Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Lima |
| Europe | London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Rome |
What Time Does the Exam Start?
CSCA exams typically start at 9:00 AM local time. You should arrive at the test center by 8:00 AM to complete check-in procedures. The entire exam lasts approximately 4 hours with short breaks between sections.
Typical schedule:
- 8:00 AM - Check-in begins
- 8:45 AM - Check-in closes
- 9:00 AM - Exam begins (Chinese Language section)
- 10:30 AM - 15-minute break
- 10:45 AM - Mathematics section
- 12:00 PM - 15-minute break
- 12:15 PM - Science/Humanities section
- 1:30 PM - Exam ends
What If You Need to Reschedule?
Life happens, and sometimes you need to change your test date. Here's what you need to know:
- More than 30 days before: Free rescheduling to any future test date
- 15-30 days before: $30 rescheduling fee
- Less than 15 days before: No rescheduling allowed; you'll need to register and pay again
To reschedule, log into your CSCA account and select "Reschedule Test" from your dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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