- Rahul from Nepal scored 740 on the CSCA and won a full scholarship to Tsinghua University.
- His preparation strategy: 3 months of study, daily practice, and 6 full mock tests.
- Key advice: Start early, use official materials, and don't underestimate the Chinese section.
Meet Rahul: From Kathmandu to Tsinghua
Rahul, 21, from Kathmandu, Nepal, is now a second-year Computer Science student at Tsinghua University. Here's how he got there:
flowchart LR
A[Heard about CSCA] --> B[3 Months Prep]
B --> C[Scored 740]
B --> D[6 Mock Tests]
C --> E[Applied to Tsinghua]
E --> F[Full Scholarship]
F --> G[Studying at Tsinghua]
Discovering the CSCA
How did you first learn about the CSCA?
"I always wanted to study Computer Science abroad, but US and UK options were too expensive for my family. A friend mentioned Chinese universities offer quality education at lower costs and told me about the CSCA exam."
Rahul researched Chinese universities and was impressed by Tsinghua's global ranking in Computer Science. He decided to make it his goal.
Preparation Strategy
Rahul's 3-month preparation plan:
| Week | Focus | Hours/Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Diagnostic + Fundamentals | 3 hours |
| 3-6 | Intensive Practice | 4 hours |
| 7-10 | Mock Tests + Review | 4 hours |
| 11-12 | Final Review | 3 hours |
"I took 6 full mock tests. Each one helped me identify weak areas and improve. My scores went from 580 to 680 to 740."
Test Day Experience
"I was nervous but prepared. The test was exactly like the mock tests I'd practiced with. Time management was crucial—I had to skip a few difficult questions and come back to them."
Rahul's section scores:
- Chinese: 250 (his strongest section)
- Mathematics: 245 (solid performance)
- Science: 245 (Computer Science track)
- Total: 740 (95th percentile)
Application and Scholarship
"With my CSCA score, I applied to Tsinghua, Peking, and Zhejiang. I also applied for the Chinese Government Scholarship."
Rahul received admission offers from all three universities and was awarded a full CSC scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
"Don't underestimate the Chinese section. As a non-native speaker, I spent extra time building vocabulary. It paid off—Chinese was my highest score."
Life at Tsinghua
"Studying at Tsinghua is challenging but rewarding. The campus is beautiful, the professors are world-class, and I'm surrounded by brilliant classmates from around the world."
Rahul's highlights:
- Research opportunities in AI and machine learning
- Internship at a major tech company in Beijing
- Chinese language improvement (now HSK 5)
- Lifelong friendships with international and Chinese students
"If you're considering studying in China, go for it. The CSCA is your gateway to an incredible opportunity."
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