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CSCA Syllabus

Find the topics in each subject, confirm the papers your university requires, and choose what to practise next.

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What does the CSCA syllabus cover?

CSCA publishes a separate syllabus for each paper. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry each have four broad topic areas, summarised below from the subject outlines. CSCA.ai currently offers practice for these three subjects.

The official exam also has Professional Chinese papers. This page does not cover their detailed syllabus or offer Professional Chinese practice. Always check the current official CSCA syllabi before building your plan. Source and topic summary last checked 14 October 2026.

Explore the three subject outlines

The official Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry papers each contain 48 single-choice questions, last 60 minutes and may be taken in Chinese or English. The topic guides below explain what to study; use the official outline for the full scope.

Mathematics

48 questions · 60 minutes

  • Sets and inequalities

    Set operations, representations, and methods for solving quadratic and rational inequalities.

  • Functions and sequences

    Function properties, elementary functions, arithmetic and geometric sequences, and basic derivatives.

  • Geometry and algebra

    Lines and conics, vectors, complex numbers, coordinate geometry, and simple solid geometry.

  • Probability and statistics

    Classical probability, data measures such as mean and variance, and basic normal distribution ideas.

Explore Mathematics

Physics

48 questions · 60 minutes

  • Mechanics

    Motion, forces, work, energy, momentum, circular motion, and gravitation.

  • Thermal physics

    Temperature, heat transfer, ideal gases, and the basic laws of thermodynamics.

  • Electricity and magnetism

    Electric fields, circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and alternating current.

  • Optics and modern physics

    Wave and geometric optics, the photoelectric effect, atomic structure, and nuclear physics.

Explore Physics

Chemistry

48 questions · 60 minutes

  • Core concepts and calculations

    Chemical symbols, equations, amount of substance, molar mass, gases, solutions, and stoichiometry.

  • Properties and reactions

    Common inorganic substances, acids, bases, salts, hydrocarbons, redox reactions, and ionic reactions.

  • Chemical theories and laws

    Atomic structure, periodic law, bonding, reaction rate, equilibrium, and electrolyte solutions.

  • Experiments and applications

    Laboratory safety, gas preparation, separation and purification, testing methods, and industrial processes.

Explore Chemistry

Which CSCA papers do I need?

Your application route, university and programme determine the papers to register for. The official CSCA exam introduction lists Mathematics among the required papers for the undergraduate application routes it describes. Physics and Chemistry depend on the programme; Professional Chinese requirements also depend on the application route and language of instruction. Check your university notice before booking.

Read the official exam introduction

How should I use the syllabus to study?

  1. Step 1

    Confirm your papers

    Read your intended university and programme notice before choosing subjects or an exam language.

  2. Step 2

    Read the official outline

    Use the current CSCA syllabus for each paper as the final topic checklist. This overview is a study aid.

  3. Step 3

    Practise and review

    Try questions by subject, review the reasoning, and spend your next session on the topics you missed.

Turn the syllabus into a study plan.

Try focused questions in a subject, review your answers, and choose the next topic to study.