Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, applicants for bachelor’s degree studies in China must take China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) (hereinafter referred to as CSCA) before submitting their application.

1. What is CSCA?

China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a standardized test designed for international students who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in China. Organized by China Scholarship Council (CSC) and jointly developed with experts from Chinese universities, CSCA assesses students’ language proficiency and academic readiness, helping them better prepare for undergraduate studies in China. CSCA is also an important reference used by Chinese universities in their admission and scholarship evaluation processes.

2. Why CSCA?

CSCA provides a comprehensive evaluation of academic and language abilities, enabling students to better understand their strengths and prepare for successful study in China. Widely accepted by Chinese universities, it enhances students’ readiness and competitiveness for undergraduate studies and serves as an academic reference for university admission and scholarship review.

3. How to Apply?

Applicants must register online at www.csca.cn.

The registration process is as follows:

Step 1: prepare the following:

1. Photo: Please ensure you have reviewed the photo requirements and have your photo taken before registering.

2. Valid ID: You will need to provide a valid government-issued ID when registering online.

3. Credit Card: After completing registration, please pay using one of the accepted payment methods.

Step 2: Review the exam date, format, and location.

Step 3: Create an account and register online.

Note: Applicants must first create a CSCA account before registering or making inquiries.

4. How Many Test Subjects?

Note:

4.1 Please contact your chosen institution for inquiries regarding the required test subjects required for applying for your major.

4.2 Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English. Test-takers may choose the test language according to the requirements of their intended university.

5. How about Test Schedule?

The first global CSCA test will be launched on December 21st, 2025. Registration will open in November 2025. 

Applicants for admission in September 2026 must register for the CSCA exam on December 21, 2025, or January 25, 2026. Each exam will include two Chinese majors (Humanties Chinese and STEM Chinese) and three Fundamental Subjects (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry).Students may take one or more subjects in the same exam.

Starting in 2026, CSCA will be held on a regular basis five times a year — in January, March, April, June, and December.

As each test session begins simultaneously worldwide, exams scheduled in December, April, and June are more convenient for candidates in the Asia-Pacific region, while those in January and March better suit candidates in Europe and the Americas. This global scheduling ensures that test-takers from all time zones have fair and convenient opportunities to participate.

6. How about Test Formats?

Initially, CSCA will be conducted primarily in a remote, home-based online format, with on-site test centers (computer-based or paper-based) gradually established in major source countries and regions.

In December 2025, the first on-site test centers will be launched in Vietnam and Thailand, marking the beginning of a hybrid testing model. Additional test centers in other countries and regions are currently under development.

7. How to Grade and Release Score Results?

Each CSCA subject is graded on a 100-point scale. Test results will serve as a reference for universities, which will set their own admission criteria based on individual program requirements.

Score release dates vary by test format: results for online and on-site computer-based tests will be announced within 7 working days after the test, while paper-based test results will be released within 14 working days.

Universities can also view each applicant’s percentile ranking among all global test-takers to better understand their academic standing within the international applicant pool.

8. How about Test Fees?

9. How to Obtain the Syllabus?

Applicants can download the exam syllabus for each subject from the CSCA website (https://csca.cn/testprep/examsv).

10. What about Future Plan?

Beginning in 2026, applicants for bachelor’s degree studies in China will be required to take the exam before submitting their application. The exam results will be a required document for university admissions review.

Beginning in 2028, all undergraduate applicants to Chinese universities will be required to take the exam, and minimum admission standards will be established.