CSCA Exam 2026–27: Dates, Subjects, Format, Fees and Registration
The CSCA exam 2026–27 is China's admission test for international undergraduates: Mathematics plus subjects by major, scored 0–100. Dates, fees, registration.
The CSCA exam (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is a standardized test for international students applying to undergraduate programs at participating Chinese universities. Mathematics is required; Physics, Chemistry and Professional Chinese requirements depend on the application route and university. Each paper is scored from 0 to 100. The official calendar now lists six sittings from November 2026 through June 2027.
- Full name: China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)
- Organizer: China Scholarship Council, under China's Ministry of Education
- Who takes it: international applicants to undergraduate programs in China
- Subjects: Mathematics (required for all), Physics, Chemistry, Professional Chinese (Humanities or STEM)
- Format: 48 single-choice questions in 60 minutes per science subject; 80 questions in 90 minutes for Professional Chinese
- Scoring: 0–100 per subject; no national pass mark
- Fees: 450 CNY for one subject, 700 CNY for two or more (verify on csca.cn)
- Official 2026–27 sessions: 14–15 November and 19–20 December 2026; 23–24 January, 13–14 March, 24–25 April and 26–27 June 2027
- Official website: csca.cn
What is the CSCA exam?
The CSCA is China's standardized academic test for international students applying to bachelor's degrees. It was designed to measure applicants from different school systems on the same scale, and the first session was held on December 21, 2025. Chinese universities use CSCA results in undergraduate admission and in scholarship decisions, so for many students it now sits alongside school grades as a core part of the application.
Two notes on the name. First, CSCA is also an accounting certificate from the IMA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), which has nothing to do with studying in China. Second, the official website is csca.cn, and CSCA.ai is an independent preparation platform. For a full introduction, read our page on the CSCA exam and who it is for.
Who needs to take the CSCA in 2026 and 2027?
For 2026 and 2027 entry, the CSCA is required for Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applicants and at a list of participating universities. Some universities, such as Beijing Forestry University, have said they require it from all international undergraduate applicants, including self-funded students. The official rollout plan expects the requirement to apply to all international undergraduate applicants by 2028. Our guide to whether the CSCA is mandatory covers who needs it and who is exempt.
There are a few exemptions. Applicants to fully English-taught programs do not take Professional Chinese, though they still take Mathematics. Applicants to Chinese language bachelor's programs may be exempt from Professional Chinese with a valid HSK Level 4 score. The CSCA is an undergraduate test, so it is not part of master's or PhD applications. Our CSCA Professional Chinese test guide explains the two tracks and the exemptions.
Which CSCA subjects do you need?
Mathematics is compulsory for everyone, including humanities and business applicants. The other subjects depend on your program's teaching language and your major:
- English-taught business, economics or humanities: Mathematics
- English-taught science, engineering or medicine: Mathematics plus Physics and/or Chemistry, as the program requires
- Chinese-taught humanities, business or arts: Professional Chinese (Humanities) plus Mathematics
- Chinese-taught science, engineering, agriculture or medicine: Professional Chinese (STEM), Mathematics, and at least one of Physics or Chemistry
Requirements differ between universities, so always confirm with each program's admission guide. Our guide to CSCA exam subjects by major covers the common combinations for engineering, medicine, business and more.
What is the CSCA exam format?
- Mathematics: 48 single-choice questions, 60 minutes, Chinese or English
- Physics: 48 single-choice questions, 60 minutes, Chinese or English
- Chemistry: 48 single-choice questions, 60 minutes, Chinese or English
- Professional Chinese (Humanities or STEM): 80 single-choice questions, 90 minutes, Chinese only
All papers use single-choice questions and are scored from 0 to 100. The published exam rules do not list a calculator among permitted items, and there is no national pass mark; universities set their own score requirements. The official exam introduction says results are published within 10 working days after the test. Home-based online testing and authorised test centres are offered where available. See our CSCA exam format and scoring guide.
What does the CSCA test cover?
The CSCA tests high school content. In Mathematics, the official syllabus covers sets and inequalities, functions, geometry and algebra, and probability and statistics, including basic derivatives, analytic geometry, vectors and complex numbers. Physics and Chemistry cover upper secondary topics, and Professional Chinese tests the academic Chinese you need for humanities or STEM study. Our CSCA physics syllabus guide lists all 18 official physics topics, and a matching guide covers chemistry.
Mathematics is where most of your study time should go, because everyone takes it. See every topic in our CSCA mathematics syllabus 2026 guide.
Is it hard? The content is familiar to most science-stream students, but about 75 seconds per question, worked by hand, makes speed the real challenge. We look at this honestly in is the CSCA exam hard?
When is the CSCA exam in 2026 and 2027?
The official CSCA website lists six two-day sessions from November 2026 through June 2027, with dates below. Its exam introduction lists January, March, April, June, November and December as regular session months. Subject start times are shown in Beijing time (UTC+8), and the admission ticket and session notice are the final sources for the papers and times you book.
- November 14–15, 2026
- December 19–20, 2026
- January 23–24, 2027
- March 13–14, 2027
- April 24–25, 2027
- June 26–27, 2027
Registration for the 14–15 November 2026 sitting officially runs from 15 October at 15:00 through 21 October at 23:59, Beijing time (UTC+8). Later sessions have separate windows that the organisers will announce. No dates after June 2027 have been published. Check the CSCA exam dates guide for the full timeline, and confirm any revision on csca.cn.
If you are applying for September 2027 entry, aim to sit the exam between November 2026 and April 2027. That leaves time for results and a retake before university score deadlines, which for 2026 entry fell in May at several universities.
How much does the CSCA cost and how do you register?
The official CSCA exam introduction lists 450 CNY for one subject and 700 CNY for two or more. Register on csca.cn: create an account, complete your profile with a valid passport and photo, choose the session, subjects and available test mode, then pay before that session’s deadline. Recheck the fee and document rules when you book.
Registration windows are short, so prepare your documents early. Our step-by-step CSCA registration guide walks through each stage, the fee options and the most common mistakes.
How should you prepare for the CSCA exam 2026–27?
Good preparation follows the format. Confirm your subjects, learn the syllabus, then build speed without a calculator through timed practice. Most of your time should go to Mathematics, plus Physics or Chemistry if your major needs them, and Professional Chinese if you are applying to Chinese-taught programs. Before test day, read our CSCA exam day tips on pacing and the home-based test rules.
- Take a timed diagnostic in each subject you need.
- Compare the official syllabus with your school syllabus and list the gaps.
- Study topic by topic, always without a calculator.
- Move to full 60-minute mock exams in the final month.
- Review every mistake and keep an error log.
For a week-by-week schedule, follow our 90-day CSCA study plan.
The quickest way to see where you stand is a short timed set of free CSCA practice questions, done without a calculator, before you plan anything else.
Frequently asked questions
CSCA FAQ
What is CSCA?
CSCA stands for China Scholastic Competency Assessment, the standardized test for international students applying to bachelor's programs at Chinese universities.
Is the CSCA exam required in 2026 and 2027?
Yes for Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applicants and at participating universities. The official rollout plan expects it to apply to all international undergraduate applicants by 2028.
When is the next CSCA exam?
The next official sitting is 14–15 November 2026, with registration from 15 October at 15:00 through 21 October at 23:59 Beijing time (UTC+8). The following sittings are 19–20 December 2026 and 23–24 January 2027.
How much does the CSCA exam cost?
The published fee is 450 CNY for one subject and 700 CNY for two or more subjects. Verify the current fee on csca.cn.
What subjects are in the CSCA test?
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Professional Chinese (Humanities or STEM). Everyone takes Mathematics; the others depend on your program.
Can I take the CSCA in English?
Yes. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are offered in English or Chinese. Professional Chinese is in Chinese only.
Is the CSCA in China the same as the IMA CSCA certificate?
No. The IMA CSCA is an accounting credential. The China Scholastic Competency Assessment is a university admission test.
What is the CSCA official website?
The official website is csca.cn. CSCA.ai is an independent preparation platform.
CSCA.ai is an independent preparation platform. Confirm dates, fees and requirements on the official site, csca.cn.
