Quick answer
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is China's standardized, centrally-administered admissions exam for international bachelor's applicants, organized by the China Scholarship Council, mandatory for most from the 2026 intake. The 50 questions below cover everything applicants ask: who must sit it (most bachelor's applicants, including English-taught and CSC scholarship candidates), what it tests (Mathematics is required for everyone; Physics and/or Chemistry depend on the university; Professional Chinese only for Chinese-taught programs — all multiple choice, no calculators), how it is scored (100 points per subject with no national pass mark — universities set their own cutoffs), what it costs (RMB 450 for one subject, RMB 700 total for two or more), when it runs (6 sittings a year, mainly online at home with a live proctor — next confirmed: 14-15 Nov 2026 with registration 15-21 Oct, then 19-20 Dec 2026 and 23-24 Jan 2027; windows are announced per sitting), who is exempt (Chinese-language program applicants with HSK 4; qualifying HSK scores can waive the Professional Chinese subject), and how retakes work (no published attempt limit, weak subjects only, calendar-constrained). Each answer stands alone; the topic map links the deep-dive guides behind them.
Key takeaways
- 50 direct answers spanning basics, subjects, scoring, registration, exemptions, scholarships, retakes, and prep
- The superset of every FAQ in the 18-guide CSCA cluster — consistent, cross-checked answers
- Structured as FAQPage schema: answers are written to be extractable by search engines and AI assistants
- Every deep answer links onward: the topic map routes each question area to its full guide
- The five self-diagnosis questions at the top resolve "which exams do I need?" in five minutes
- Escalation paths at the bottom: official portal → university admissions in writing → SICA counselors
How to use this page
Fifty questions is a lot of answers — the page is built for two reading modes.
- Search mode — scan the questions below (they are ordered by topic) and open only what applies to you; every answer is written to stand alone
- Learn mode — read the Fast Facts and Self-Diagnosis sections first, then follow the topic map into the deep-dive guides for your situation
- Verify mode — for anything date-, fee-, or policy-shaped, the answer here tells you the rule; the official portal or your university confirms your specific case in writing
The topic map — where deep answers live
Each FAQ area below has a full guide in the cluster. Route your deeper questions there.
| If your question is about… | Read |
|---|---|
| What the exam is, subjects, scoring, fees at a glance | /csca-exam (flagship guide) |
| Session dates and choosing when to sit | https://cscaprep.academy/exam-dates |
| Registering, centers, the portal, avoiding agents | /csca-exam-registration |
| Fees, payment methods, paying from abroad | /csca-exam-fees |
| Exemptions, HSK routes, waivers | /csca-exam-exemptions |
| Math / Physics / Chemistry / Chinese tracks | The six subject & prep guides |
| CSCA vs HSK vs SAT/A-Level/IB | The three comparison guides |
| CSC scholarship, MBBS, English-taught programs | The three scenario guides |
| Test day, retakes, scores and cutoffs | /csca-test-day-retakes, /csca-scores-and-cutoffs |
The eight facts that answer 80% of questions
If you read nothing else on this page, read these.
- Mandatory from 2026 — most international bachelor's applicants must sit it; English-taught programs included; master's/PhD excluded
- Five subjects — Professional Chinese (Humanities or STEM track, 80 MCQs) + Mathematics (compulsory for all, 48 MCQs) + Physics and Chemistry (48 each, per program)
- No pass mark — each subject scores 0–100; universities set their own cutoffs (planning bands: 80+ top tier, 70+ mid, 60s regional)
- RMB 450 / RMB 700 — one subject costs RMB 450; two or more cost RMB 700 total per sitting
- Six sittings a year — mainly online at home with a live proctor; windows announced per sitting (November registration closed on 21 Oct 2026)
- Two exemptions — HSK 4 for Chinese-language programs (full); qualifying HSK waives Professional Chinese (degrees)
- CSC requires it — scholarship applicants submit scores; deadlines January–April force the earliest sitting
- Retakes allowed — no published attempt limit; resit weak subjects only; the calendar is the constraint
The 5-minute self-diagnosis
Answer five questions in order and your exam list falls out.
- Degree level? Master's/PhD → no CSCA; follow program requirements. Bachelor's → continue.
- Program type? Chinese-language program + valid HSK 4 → exempt; HSK is your exam. Otherwise → continue.
- Teaching language? English-taught → CSCA (program combination) + IELTS/TOEFL. Chinese-taught → HSK + CSCA.
- Current HSK? HSK 5+ → ask each university for the Professional Chinese waiver in writing; may reduce your CSCA to fundamentals. Lower → plan both tracks.
- Scholarship route? CSC → sit the earliest session of the year; deadlines January–April do not move.
Output examples: "English-taught CS" = CSCA (Math + Physics) + IELTS. "Chinese-taught business, HSK 5, waiver confirmed" = Math only. "Language program" = HSK 4, no CSCA.
Still stuck? The escalation ladder
Three levels of authority, in order. Skip levels and you inherit rumor.
- Level 1 — the official portal (csca.cn, organized by the China Scholarship Council): sitting dates, fees, mode, syllabus outlines. Authoritative for everything exam-mechanical.
- Level 2 — your target university in writing: subject combinations, waivers, score expectations, program-specific deadlines. An email reply is a document; keep them all.
- Level 3 — a counselor who does this daily: sequencing sessions, waivers, scholarships, and deadlines into one plan. SICA's first consultation is free; the prep pack ships with support tiers.
- What to avoid — agents selling "guaranteed seats" or "real past papers" (both fabrications), forums as primary sources, and last year's rules applied to this year's cycle
Step-by-step
- 1
Classify your application in one line
Degree level (bachelor's vs master's/PhD), program type (degree vs language program), and teaching language (English vs Chinese). This one line determines whether the CSCA applies to you at all.
- 2
Run the five-question self-diagnosis above
Work through the diagnosis section: level, program type, teaching language, current HSK, scholarship route. The output is your exam list — CSCA, HSK, IELTS/TOEFL, or a combination.
- 3
Verify your program's requirements in writing
One email per target program: required CSCA subjects, language thresholds, and deadline shape. Written answers are the only version that counts — file them with your application records.
- 4
Check the exemption and waiver routes before committing
Valid HSK 4 + language program = full exemption. Qualifying HSK = Professional Chinese waiver for degrees. Both exist only with the university's written confirmation — ask before you plan prep weeks.
- 5
Pick your session and start the 8-week plan
Choose the session 4–6 months before intake (earliest of the year for CSC applicants), then follow the preparation guide: diagnose, patch weakest, Chinese in parallel, two full mocks.
- 6
Escalate anything unresolved up the ladder
Official portal for exam mechanics → university admissions in writing for program rules → a SICA counselor to sequence everything into one plan. Skip rumors at every level.
Free CSCA practice
Practice tests, mocks, and study plans for every CSCA sitting — on CSCA Prep, SICA's dedicated exam-prep site.
Free 10-minute consultation
Book a free 10-minute consultation
Talk to a SICA admissions counsellor on Zoom, WhatsApp, or WeChat (Beijing time) — get a straight answer on your universities, scholarships, and the CSCA before you commit to anything.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
QWhat is the CSCA exam?+
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is China's standardized, centrally-administered admissions exam for international students applying to bachelor's degrees, mandatory for most applicants from the 2026 intake. It tests Professional Chinese (a Humanities or STEM track) plus fundamental subjects — Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry — all as multiple choice.
QWho must take the CSCA?+
Most international applicants to Chinese bachelor's programs from the 2026 intake — including English-taught program applicants and CSC scholarship applicants. Chinese-language program applicants with a valid HSK 4 may be exempt; master's and PhD applicants are not covered.
QDo master's or PhD applicants need the CSCA?+
No — the mandate targets undergraduate (bachelor's) admissions. Master's and PhD admission runs on program-specific requirements, supervisor matching, and university entrance procedures.
QWhen did the CSCA start?+
The inaugural global session was held December 21, 2025, and the requirement applies to most bachelor's applicants from the 2026 intake onward. Sessions then settled into a rhythm of five per year.
QIs the CSCA hard?+
It depends on preparation, not aptitude: content sits at the Chinese senior-high level (comparable to A-Level/IB/AP foundations), delivered as speed-oriented multiple choice — about 75 seconds per question with no calculator. The differentiator for most candidates is format training, not new theory.
QHow long should I prepare for the CSCA?+
Eight weeks is the standard cycle at 10–15 hours per week; four weeks is the realistic compression floor (diagnose, patch the weakest subject, timed sets, one full mock). See the 8-week preparation guide for the week-by-week plan.
QWhere do I register for the CSCA?+
On the official CSCA website — csca.cn, organized by the China Scholarship Council. Register only there: third-party agents charge inflated fees and cannot create extra seats.
QIs the CSCA available in my country?+
Likely, but it varies by session: centers operate in China and at Chinese embassies/consulates and partner institutions abroad. The per-session center list is published on the official portal during registration — availability differs by country and cycle.
QWhat subjects does the CSCA cover?+
Five subjects: Professional Chinese (choose the Humanities or STEM track, 80 multiple-choice questions) and three fundamentals — Mathematics (48 questions, compulsory for everyone), Physics (48), and Chemistry (48), the latter two per your program's requirements.
QWhich Chinese track do I take — Humanities or STEM?+
Your program decides: business, law, and humanities programs typically require the Humanities track; engineering and science programs typically require STEM Chinese. Check the program page — the choice is specified, not preferred.
QIs Mathematics compulsory in the CSCA?+
Yes — every candidate sits Mathematics regardless of major, teaching language, or HSK level. No published exemption removes it; exemptions touch the Chinese track or the whole exam for language-program applicants only.
QHow many questions are there per subject?+
Professional Chinese tracks have 80 multiple-choice questions; each fundamental subject (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) has 48. All questions are multiple choice with no written or spoken components.
QHow long is each CSCA subject?+
Approximately 60 minutes per subject — about 75 seconds per question on the 48-question fundamentals and about 45 seconds per question on the 80-question Chinese tracks. Multiple subjects may be scheduled across one exam day.
QCan I use a calculator on the CSCA?+
No — calculators are banned in every subject, including Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Papers are engineered for clean numbers; preparation should include mental-arithmetic and exact-value drills from the start.
QWhat subjects do engineering, business, and medicine require?+
Typical patterns: engineering → STEM Chinese + Math + Physics; business/economics → Humanities Chinese + Math; medicine/MBBS → Math + Chemistry (often without the Chinese track for English-taught programs). Combinations are set per program — verify on each program page.
QAre the exam papers in Chinese?+
Stems mix universal mathematical/scientific notation with Chinese scenario terms, and diagrams carry Chinese labels; answer options are numeric or symbolic. A glossary of the ~60 highest-frequency terms covers most of the reading friction for fundamentals subjects.
QHow is the CSCA scored?+
Each subject is machine-scored from its multiple-choice questions on a 0–100 scale. There is no composite total — each subject stands alone, and universities read each against their own program's expectation.
QWhat is the passing score for the CSCA?+
There is no national pass mark — every university sets its own admission cutoffs per program. Any specific "national pass mark" you read online is fabricated. Ask your target schools what last cycle's admitted applicants scored.
QWhat is a good CSCA score?+
Program-relative: 80+ in required subjects is competitive for top-tier (C9/985) universities, 70+ clears most mid-tier (211/top-300) lines, and 60s can work at regional universities. Scholarship ambitions add roughly 5–10 points on top.
QWhen do CSCA results come out?+
Per session, through the official registration portal — the release window is announced when each session opens. Download the report as soon as it is available; you submit it to universities yourself.
QHow do I send my CSCA score report to universities?+
You attach it: download the report from the portal and include it in each university application and, if applicable, your CSC scholarship file. There is no automatic transmission to universities — a report that is never attached is functionally a score that does not exist.
QHow do I register for the CSCA?+
In eight steps: confirm your subject combination from the program page, find the official portal, create an account with passport-exact details, choose session and center, select subjects, pay (¥450/¥700), download and print the admission ticket, and sit the exam. The full walkthrough is in the registration guide.
QHow much does the CSCA cost?+
¥450 CNY for one subject, or ¥700 CNY total for two or more subjects in the same session — the typical 3–4 subject candidate pays ¥700 (about US$100). Overseas candidates add bank-transfer fees and exchange-rate margins.
QHow do I pay for the CSCA from outside China?+
Three routes: the international version of Alipay or WeChat Pay with a linked foreign card, an international bank transfer to the portal's account (3–5 business days — start a week before the window closes), or a trusted person in China paying the order you created. Keep every receipt.
QWhen does CSCA registration close?+
Registration windows are announced per sitting — November registration closed on 21 Oct 2026. There is no published late-registration option, so register in the first days of the window.
QWhere can I take the CSCA?+
At designated test centers in China and at Chinese embassies/consulates and partner institutions abroad. You choose the nearest center with seats during registration; center lists are published per session.
QWhat should I bring on CSCA test day?+
Your original passport (the exact document used at registration), the printed admission ticket, and pencils plus eraser as instructed. Phones, smartwatches, calculators, notes, and dictionaries do not enter the exam room. Arrive 30–45 minutes early.
QDo I need the CSCA if I have HSK 4?+
It depends on program type: a valid HSK 4 fully exempts applicants to Chinese-language programs, but degree applicants with HSK 4 are not automatically exempt — though a qualifying HSK score can waive the Professional Chinese subject, leaving Math and required sciences. Confirm with the university in writing.
QDoes IELTS or TOEFL exempt me from the CSCA?+
No — English proficiency tests and the CSCA certify different things and stack as separate requirements. English-taught applicants sit the CSCA (typically the fundamentals) and provide IELTS/TOEFL for the language line.
QCan universities grant individual CSCA waivers?+
Yes, case-by-case — beyond the published HSK routes, universities may waive subjects or the exam for individual applicants. A waiver only exists with the university's written confirmation; never skip registration on an verbal assurance.
QDo English-taught programs require the CSCA?+
Yes — the mandate applies regardless of teaching language. English-taught candidates typically sit the fundamentals (Math plus program-named sciences), often without the Professional Chinese track, but combinations vary more across English-taught programs — verify each in writing.
QDo CSC scholarship applicants need the CSCA?+
Yes — from the 2026 intake, bachelor's-level CSC applicants must submit CSCA scores through both main channels (embassy/Bilateral and university/Chinese University Program). A scholarship file without scores is incomplete and does not shortlist.
QWhich CSCA session should CSC applicants sit?+
The earliest session of the calendar year. CSC deadlines cluster January–April, so the first session is the primary attempt and the second (often March) is the only realistic fallback — a third lands after deadlines.
QCan I apply to universities before I have a CSCA score?+
You can research, shortlist, and often start applications — but your score must be attached before each application's deadline. Plan backwards: pick the session that lands 4–6 months before intake so banked scores cover every deadline.
QDo universities receive my CSCA scores automatically?+
No — scores are issued to you via the registration portal, and you attach the report to each application yourself. Universities do not receive scores automatically.
QDo transfer students need the CSCA?+
Typically yes if re-applying to a bachelor's program from the 2026 intake — but category rules can differ. Confirm with both universities' admissions offices in writing before assuming either way.
QCan I retake the CSCA?+
Yes — the exam runs 6 sittings a year and you may resit in a later sitting, typically only your weak subjects. A cleaner retake can replace a weak one for any deadline still open — check your target universities' policy on multiple score reports.
QHow many times can I take the CSCA?+
No attempt limit has been published — the practical constraint is calendar: sessions run about 2–3 months apart, and a retake only helps if it lands before your still-open application deadlines.
QDo universities see all my CSCA attempts?+
No — universities see the score report you choose to submit. Earlier reports do not follow you unless you send them.
QCan I retake only some CSCA subjects?+
Yes — re-registration lets you sit just the subjects you want to replace. Strong subjects keep their scores; the fee band for the next session is ¥450 for one subject or ¥700 for two or more.
QWhat is the difference between the CSCA and HSK?+
The HSK tests general Chinese proficiency (levels 1–6, listening/reading/writing); the CSCA tests academic competency — Professional Chinese in your degree domain plus Mathematics and required sciences, all multiple choice. They are complementary: Chinese-taught degree applicants usually need both.
QDoes China accept SAT scores instead of the CSCA?+
No — SAT, A-Level, and IB scores complement your application but do not replace the CSCA, which is mandatory for most bachelor's applicants from the 2026 intake regardless of international qualifications.
QIs the CSCA harder than A-Levels or the IB?+
Different rather than harder: content overlaps 80–90% with A-Level/IB/AP foundation material, but the exam is all multiple choice, strictly timed (~75 seconds per question), calculator-free, with Chinese-labeled stems. Unprepared candidates lose points to format, not content.
QAre there past papers for the CSCA?+
No official past-paper catalog has been released — anyone selling "real CSCA past papers" is selling fabrications. Prepare from the official syllabus outlines, your own curriculum materials, and China senior-high-aligned multiple-choice banks.
QWhat should I study first for the CSCA?+
Diagnose, then patch your weakest fundamental subject — usually Mathematics, which is compulsory for everyone. The Chinese track (if you sit one) runs in parallel from week 3 because it cannot be crammed. Strong subjects need only format and speed work.
QHow many mock tests should I take?+
Two full timed mocks minimum, assembled from aligned multiple-choice sets at full length for your registered subjects, under exam rules (no calculator, real schedule). Review each the same day, logging every miss by cause: knowledge, arithmetic, misread, or timing.
QMy passport is renewing before the CSCA — what do I do?+
Contact the registration portal's support before test day so your admission ticket matches the document you will present — a mismatch between ticket and passport can block entry. Where possible, register with the passport you will hold on test day.
QI missed the CSCA registration deadline — what now?+
There is no published late-registration or walk-in option; each window closes as announced (the November 2026 window ends 21 October). Your realistic options are the next sitting (typically 1-2 months later) or, if a university deadline still allows, coordinating with that admissions office.
QI finished school last year — do I still need the CSCA?+
Yes — the mandate applies regardless of when you completed school, and your existing qualifications (A-Level, IB, and equivalents) remain valid. Gap-year candidates actually hold a scheduling advantage: more session choices and more retake room before deadlines.
QWho can help me plan my CSCA and application timeline?+
SICA counselors handle exactly this: verifying subject combinations with universities, planning sessions around deadlines and scholarships, and providing CSCA preparation packs (glossaries, MCQ sets). The first consultation is free.