Sign Up

CSCA Exam 2026: Registration, Dates, Fees and Syllabus

Applying for an undergraduate degree in China? Find out what the CSCA tests, which subjects you may need, how to register, and where to find the official dates and fees.

Where can I try questions and read the explanations?

One public Mathematics paper is available with 48 questions and a suggested time of 60 minutes. You can work through it question by question without an account or paid plan.

  1. Open the free paper below, choose a question, and submit your answer.
  2. Read the correct answer and written explanation after submitting. Check whether you missed a concept, made a calculation error, or misread the question.
  3. Review the matching Mathematics topic and its worked examples, then try similar questions.

Question-by-question practice on this public paper is free. Timed mock exams require sign-in; access to other papers depends on availability and your plan's subject coverage.

These links open AICSCA's online practice and explanations, not an official exam-paper PDF download.

Four things to know before you register

Use this checklist to get started. Before paying the exam fee, check the current exam notice and the admission requirements of each university you plan to apply to.

Full form
China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).
Who it is for
International students planning to apply for undergraduate study at participating Chinese universities.
Where to register
Register on the official CSCA website when registration is open. aicsca.com does not handle exam registration.
Next planned session
December 2026 is the next planned exam month. When checked on September 12, the official homepage did not list an exact December date or registration deadline.

Definition and scope checked against the official CSCA exam introduction

Start preparing for CSCA

See what the diagnostic test covers, try some questions and videos, then create a free account to save your progress and start practising.

What is CSCA?

CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is an academic entrance assessment for international students applying to undergraduate programs at Chinese universities. It assesses Chinese language proficiency and foundational knowledge in mathematics and science.

Participating universities consider CSCA scores alongside other application materials. Required subjects, test languages, deadlines, and score requirements vary by university and programme. Check the official CSCA website and the admissions information for every programme you are applying to.

How universities use CSCA scores

CSCA helps universities assess whether applicants are ready for undergraduate study. For students, the published syllabuses also show what to prepare:

  • Admissions: participating universities use CSCA scores as part of their assessment of international applicants.
  • Subjects: the tests assess Chinese language skills and foundations in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
  • Preparation: the subject formats and syllabuses help you plan what to study.

CSCA Exam Dates and Schedule for 2026

The official exam introduction lists December as the next planned exam month in 2026. When checked on September 12, the homepage still showed the three completed exams below, with no exact December date or registration deadline.

Exam dateStatusSource
March 15, 2026Exam endedDisplayed on the official CSCA homepage
April 25, 2026Exam endedDisplayed on the official CSCA homepage
June 27, 2026Exam endedDisplayed on the official CSCA homepage

Next planned exam: December 2026; exact date not yet listed

December appears in the official 2026 schedule. On September 12, the official homepage did not list an exact December date or registration deadline. Check the official website for an updated notice before paying fees or booking travel.

The official 2026 schedule lists exams in January, March, April, June, and December. A planned month does not mean registration is open. Check the notice for the exam you want to take.

Published subject times (China Standard Time, UTC+8)

The official exam introduction gives the following times for each subject on an exam day:

  • Professional Chinese: 12:00–13:30 (China Standard Time).
  • Physics: 15:00–16:00 (China Standard Time).
  • Mathematics: 18:00–19:00 (China Standard Time).
  • Chemistry: 20:30–21:30 (China Standard Time).

These times are in China Standard Time (UTC+8). Convert them to your local time, then check your admission ticket and exam notice. They do not confirm a December exam date.

Official information last checked: · Open the official CSCA website

CSCA Exam Registration and Deadlines

How to register for the CSCA exam

Register on the official CSCA website when registration is open. First check which subjects and test languages your universities require. Then confirm the deadline, test format, location, fee, and your personal details before paying.

Checked September 12, 2026: the official exam introduction lists December as a planned exam month, but the homepage does not yet show an exact December date or registration deadline.

Open the official CSCA website

Before you register, check the requirements for every programme you are applying to. Use these steps to avoid choosing the wrong subjects or missing a deadline:

  1. Read each university’s current admissions notice. Make a list of the required CSCA subjects, test languages, and scores.
  2. Check the official CSCA website for an open registration period, its deadline, and the available test formats and locations.
  3. Choose the subjects and language versions you need. Check your personal details and the total fee before paying.
  4. After registering, check the official instructions for your admission ticket, identity checks, equipment tests or test centre, and results.
Open the official CSCA registration site

aicsca.com is an independent preparation platform. It does not accept official CSCA registrations, collect official exam fees, issue admission tickets, or decide registration deadlines.

CSCA Subjects, Format and Syllabus

CSCA offers Professional Chinese for arts or science applicants, plus Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Your university’s current admissions requirements determine which subjects and test languages you need.

Subject scope checked against the official CSCA exam introduction

SubjectLanguageDurationQuestionsScore rangeSyllabus
Professional Chinese (Arts)Chinese90 minutes80 multiple-choice questions0–100View syllabus
Professional Chinese (Science)Chinese90 minutes80 multiple-choice questions0–100View syllabus
MathematicsChinese / English60 minutes48 multiple-choice questions0–100View syllabus
PhysicsChinese / English60 minutes48 multiple-choice questions0–100View syllabus
ChemistryChinese / English60 minutes48 multiple-choice questions0–100View syllabus

Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are offered in Chinese and English. Choose a test language that meets the requirements of every programme you are applying to.

How to Choose CSCA Subjects

The official exam introduction gives the requirements below for applicants to universities listed by Campus China. Check your chosen university’s current admissions notice for the exact subjects you need:

1. Applicants for Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate programmes

Required subjects:

  • (1) Mathematics
  • (2) Professional Chinese — take the arts or science version required by your university and programme.

Subjects required by some programmes: Physics and Chemistry — check whether your university and programme require either or both.

2. Undergraduate applicants not applying for a Chinese Government Scholarship

Required subjects:

  • (1) Mathematics
  • (2) Professional Chinese — required for Chinese-taught programmes. Check whether you need the arts or science version.

Subjects required by some programmes: Physics and Chemistry — check whether your university and programme require either or both.

Requirements may differ by programme and teaching language. Keep a copy of the current admissions notice and check it again before the exam registration deadline.

University list: Check the Campus China university directory

Exam Format

CSCA is initially offered mainly as a home-based online exam, with test-centre computer and paper-based exams being introduced gradually. Check the notice for your chosen exam to see which formats and locations are available.

Professional Chinese is tested in Chinese. Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are available in Chinese and English. Each subject has its own test and score. Practise in the language and time limit you will use on exam day.

Exam Fees

The published CSCA exam fee is CNY 450 for one subject and CNY 700 for two or more subjects.

SubjectsFee (CNY)
1 subjectCNY 450
2 or more subjectsCNY 700

Check the final fee and payment instructions on the official registration page before paying.

Fee standard checked against the official CSCA exam introduction

Scores and results

Each CSCA subject is scored out of 100. Universities set their own admission standards based on programme requirements.

The official exam introduction says results are released within 7 working days for home-based and test-centre computer exams, or 14 working days for paper-based exams. Check your exam notice for the applicable timetable.

How to Prepare for the CSCA Exam

Confirm your required subjects and read their syllabuses. Try a diagnostic test to find topics you need to review, practise those topics, then take timed mock exams. Use your results to decide where to spend more study time.

Sources and what we checked

We checked the official CSCA homepage and exam introduction on September 12, 2026. Use the sources below to verify exam details and find university requirements. Always follow the latest official notice for your exam.

Official information last checked: · Open the official CSCA website

CSCA Exam FAQ

What is the CSCA exam?

CSCA stands for China Scholastic Competency Assessment. It tests the academic foundations of international students applying for undergraduate study at participating Chinese universities. Subjects include Professional Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

When is the next CSCA exam in 2026?

December is the next planned exam month in the official 2026 schedule. When we checked the official homepage on September 12, it did not list an exact December date or registration deadline. Check the official website for an updated exam notice.

How do I register for the CSCA exam?

Check your universities’ subject and language requirements, then register on the official CSCA website when registration is open. Confirm the deadline, test format, location, personal details, and fee before paying. aicsca.com does not handle official registration.

How much is the CSCA exam fee?

The published fee is CNY 450 for one subject or CNY 700 for two or more subjects. Check the final amount and payment instructions on the official registration page.

Which CSCA subjects should I take?

For the universities covered by the official guidance, Mathematics is required. Chinese Government Scholarship applicants also need Professional Chinese; other applicants need it for Chinese-taught programmes. Physics and Chemistry depend on the programme. Check each university’s current admissions notice.

What are the CSCA pass mark and pass rate?

Each subject is scored out of 100, and universities set their own admissions requirements. There is no single score that guarantees admission to every university. We have not verified an official overall pass rate.

When are CSCA results released?

The official exam introduction says results are released within 7 working days for home-based and test-centre computer exams, or 14 working days for paper-based exams. Check the notice for your exam for the final timetable.

Is the CSCA exam hard, and how should I prepare?

That depends on your subject knowledge, test language, and required subjects. Start with a diagnostic or timed practice paper. Review the topics behind your mistakes, practise them, then try another paper using the language and time limit of the real exam.

Create a study plan · Start learning

Official CSCA information takes precedence over this guide.