CSCA Exam for MBBS in China: 2026–27 Subjects and Timeline

Do you need the CSCA exam for MBBS in China?

In most cases, yes. Official guidance says international students applying for undergraduate programs at universities in the Chinese Government Scholarship program must take the CSCA for the 2026 and 2027 academic years. Many of China's established medical universities are on that list. The official rollout plan expects the CSCA to apply to all international undergraduate applicants by 2028.

Some agents still tell students that the CSCA is not needed for self-funded MBBS. That may be true at a university that does not take part, but you should never rely on an agent's word. Open the official admissions guide for your exact program and look for the CSCA requirement. If it is unclear, email the university's international admissions office and keep the reply. Our guide to whether the CSCA is mandatory explains who needs it now and who is exempt.

Which CSCA subjects do medicine applicants take?

The subjects depend on the program type and its language of instruction. Here are the usual patterns, based on official guidance and published university requirements for 2026 entry:

• English-taught MBBS (clinical medicine): Mathematics + Chemistry, English papers. Some universities add Physics. No Professional Chinese
• Chinese-taught clinical medicine: STEM Chinese + Mathematics + Chemistry. Some universities add Physics
• Dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and medical imaging: usually follow the medicine pattern, with Mathematics plus at least one of Physics or Chemistry, most often Chemistry
• Traditional Chinese Medicine: usually taught in Chinese, and requirements vary widely between universities. Some list Humanities rather than STEM Chinese, so check the program guide carefully

If your shortlist mixes universities that want Mathematics and Chemistry with one that also wants Physics, consider taking all three in the same session. Under the published fee structure, two or more subjects cost the same 700 CNY (confirm on csca.cn). The real cost is study time, so only add Physics if you can prepare for it properly. Chemistry is the paper that matters most for CSCA for medicine, so start early with our self-paced CSCA Chemistry lessons.

Why is there no Biology paper for MBBS?

The CSCA has four subjects only: Professional Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. There is no Biology paper for any major, including medicine. That does not mean biology is ignored. Universities review your school results, and medical programs expect you to have studied biology and chemistry in senior secondary school, for example a science stream with biology in Grades 11 and 12, an FSc pre-medical track, or A-Level Biology and Chemistry.

Your home country may also have its own rules. For example, India's National Medical Commission sets conditions for students who study medicine abroad, including NEET qualification. The CSCA does not replace NEET or any home-country exam. Check your national medical council's current rules on foreign medical degrees before you apply.

What CSCA score do you need for MBBS?

There is no official CSCA pass mark for medicine. Each university decides how to use your scores, and some did not publish minimum scores for 2026 entry. Be careful with agency websites that quote a fixed pass mark for MBBS. These are not official numbers. Medicine is competitive, and so are scholarships, so treat Chemistry and Mathematics as subjects to score as high as you can, not just to pass. For how scoring, sessions and fees work across all subjects, see our CSCA exam 2026–27 guide.

What else do MBBS applicants in China need?

• A senior secondary certificate with chemistry and biology, and usually physics, with the grades the university asks for
• Proof of English ability for English-taught programs, such as IELTS or TOEFL, or another form the university accepts
• A university approved to teach clinical medicine in English to international students. China's Ministry of Education publishes this list, so check the latest one
• Your home country's rules on foreign medical degrees, for example from the medical councils of India, Pakistan, Nepal or Bangladesh
• The documents your university lists, such as a passport, transcripts and a physical examination form

English-taught MBBS programs in China usually last about six years, including a year of clinical internship. Many also teach Chinese during the degree, because clinical training involves Chinese-speaking patients. Check the length, the internship arrangements and any Chinese language requirements in each program guide, and make sure they match what your home country's medical council requires. When you shortlist universities, you can compare Chinese medical universities and scholarships on WiseAdmit, the company behind CSCA.ai.

MBBS in China 2027: a CSCA timeline

Session months and registration windows change, so check our CSCA exam dates and registration guide and the official calendar on csca.cn before you commit to a session.

How should you prepare for CSCA Chemistry and Mathematics?

The official 2025 chemistry syllabus has four modules. Basic concepts and calculations covers changes of state, chemical equations, moles, solution concentration and pH, and the ideal gas equation. Properties and reactions covers common inorganic substances, hydrocarbons and their derivatives, redox and ionic reactions. Theory covers atomic structure and the periodic law, bonding and intermolecular forces, reaction rates and equilibrium, and electrolyte solutions. Experiments covers lab safety, preparing and testing gases, and separation and purification. Our CSCA chemistry syllabus guide lists every official topic.

Mathematics surprises many medical applicants, because it goes beyond what some pre-medical streams teach. It includes conic sections, complex numbers and basic derivatives, and the published exam rules do not list a calculator among permitted items. Read our CSCA math syllabus guide early and start on unfamiliar topics first.

If you prefer learning with a teacher, join our teacher-led live CSCA classes. Every class is recorded, so you can replay difficult topics.

Frequently asked questions

CSCA.ai is an independent preparation platform. Confirm dates, fees and requirements on the official site, csca.cn.