CSCA Subjects Explained: What Each Section Actually Tests

What Subjects Does the CSCA Cover?

The CSCA is divided into three distinct sections, each designed to evaluate a different aspect of your academic readiness for Chinese university study. Understanding what each section tests is crucial for effective preparation.

pie title CSCA Score Distribution
    "Chinese Language" : 40
    "Mathematics" : 30
    "Science/Humanities" : 30
                    

The Chinese Language section carries the most weight at 40% of your total score, reflecting the importance of language proficiency for success in Chinese-medium instruction programs. Mathematics accounts for 30%, and your chosen track (Science or Humanities) makes up the remaining 30%.

Chinese Language Section: What to Expect

How good does my Chinese need to be for the CSCA?

The Chinese Language section tests your proficiency at approximately HSK 4-5 level. This means you should be comfortable with:

• Vocabulary: 1,200-2,500 common Chinese characters and their usage
• Grammar: Complex sentence structures, conjunctions, and discourse markers
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding academic texts, news articles, and argumentative essays
• Writing: Composing coherent short essays (200-300 characters) on given topics

Mathematics Section: Topics and Difficulty

The Mathematics section tests high school-level mathematics with a focus on problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. The difficulty level is roughly equivalent to Grade 11-12 mathematics in most international curricula.

Key topics covered include:

• Algebra: Linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, polynomials
• Geometry: Plane geometry, coordinate geometry, transformations, basic trigonometry
• Statistics & Probability: Data interpretation, mean/median/mode, basic probability
• Number Theory: Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios
• Basic Calculus: Limits, derivatives (basic), simple integration (honors only)

Science Track vs Humanities Track: Which Should You Choose?

How do I decide between Science and Humanities tracks?

Your track choice should align with your intended university major. Here's a simple guide:

Science Track: Detailed Breakdown

The Science track covers physics, chemistry, and biology at the high school level. Questions are distributed roughly equally across the three subjects.

Physics topics include: Mechanics (motion, forces, energy), thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and modern physics basics.

Chemistry topics include: Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, acids and bases, organic chemistry basics, and chemical equilibrium.

Biology topics include: Cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, human physiology, and plant biology.

Humanities Track: Detailed Breakdown

The Humanities track covers history, geography, and political science/civics with a focus on understanding societal structures and historical contexts.

History topics include: World history (ancient to modern), Chinese history (significant events and dynasties), and major historical movements and their impacts.

Geography topics include: Physical geography (climate, landforms, ecosystems), human geography (population, urbanization, economic geography), and map reading skills.

Political Science topics include: Forms of government, international relations basics, civic responsibilities, and contemporary global issues.