What Is the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment)? Your path to China’s top universities
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is a new standardised academic competency exam developed for international students who want to pursue undergraduate studies at universities in China.
Chinese universities used to base admissions on high school GPA and HSK (language proficiency) scores; from 2026 onwards, the CSCA has been made a mandatory admission criterion for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and many prestigious universities.
What Is the Purpose of the CSCA?
The CSCA aims to bring China’s education system closer to global standards such as the SAT or ACT. Its main goals are:
- Academic Readiness
- To measure whether a student is academically ready for the demanding university curriculum in China.
- Objective Assessment
- To compare students from different countries fairly through a common exam score.
- Scholarship Selection
- To screen candidates, especially in Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) applications.
Exam Content and Subjects
The exam consists of different subjects depending on the field the student chooses (Science or Humanities/Social Sciences). All questions are multiple choice.
| Subject | Language Option | Duration | Questions | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | English / Chinese | 60 Minutes | 48 Questions | Basic mathematics and logical reasoning. |
| Physics | English / Chinese | 60 Minutes | 48 Questions | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism. |
| Chemistry | English / Chinese | 60 Minutes | 48 Questions | Basic laws of chemistry and problem solving. |
| Academic Chinese | Chinese | 90 Minutes | 80 Questions | Academic reading focused on STEM or Social Sciences. |
Note: Candidates applying to Chinese-taught programmes must take the "Academic Chinese" (Professional Chinese) exam. Unlike the HSK, this exam measures not everyday language but the technical terms and academic texts used in lectures.
Key Facts and Calendar
- Requirement
- From the 2026-2027 academic year, mandatory for international students applying to undergraduate programmes at Chinese Government Scholarship universities (including CSC Type A and B scholarship candidates).
- Frequency
- Held at least 5 times a year (January, March, April, June and December sessions); sessions may vary by region, and the current schedule is announced on csca.cn.
- Exam Format
- Computer-based. It can be taken at authorised centres or online (remotely proctored from home).
- Validity
- Official sources do not clearly state how long scores remain valid; check separately which exam sessions your target university accepts.
Application Process
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Create an Account
A profile is opened on the official csca.cn portal.
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Choose Subjects
The required subject combinations are selected according to the programme applied for (e.g. Mathematics + Physics for Engineering).
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Payment and Appointment
The exam fee is paid and a suitable test centre/date is chosen.
Exam Requirements by Field of Study
The subject combinations you will be responsible for in the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) vary according to your target university and programme. Chinese universities generally divide candidates into two main categories: Science (STEM) and Social Sciences.
Here are the exams you need to take according to your target programme, and the strategy we at Study First Academy recommend:
| Target Field Category | Mandatory Exams | Elective/Additional Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & Natural Sciences | Mathematics + Physics | Academic Chinese* |
| Medicine (MBBS) & Biology | Mathematics + Chemistry | Physics (required by some schools) |
| Economics & Business | Mathematics | Academic Chinese |
| Social Sciences & Arts | Mathematics | Academic Chinese (for Chinese-taught programmes) |
(*) Important Note: If your programme is taught in English (English-Taught), it is usually enough to take only the Mathematics and Science exams in English. However, if you will study in Chinese, you must add the "Professional Chinese" (Academic Chinese) exam alongside your HSK score.
Your Roadmap with Study First Academy
Chinese universities, especially world leaders such as Tsinghua, Peking and Fudan, have started using the CSCA score as a threshold. The study plan we will prepare for you includes the following steps:
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Programme Analysis
We check the CSCA subject preferences of the university you are applying to. (Some universities may require all three: Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry).
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Language Choice
We decide which language (English or Chinese) you will take the exam in. We assess your command of the English equivalents of mathematics and science terms.
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Academic Chinese Support
If you will study in Chinese, we provide "Academic Article Reading and Terminology" lessons that go beyond standard HSK training.
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Simulation Exams
Since the CSCA is computer-based, we give our students digital mock exams so they get used to the system interface.
The Road to China’s Best Universities: Study First Academy CSCA Prep Programme
Are you ready for the CSCA, which has become mandatory as of 2026 for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and China’s prestigious universities (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, etc.)?
At Study First Academy, we are launching Turkey’s first comprehensive, results-oriented prep programme fully aligned with this new exam system! Don’t leave your academic career in China to chance — reach your goal with world-class training.
What Awaits You in the Study First Academy CSCA Programme?
The CSCA is not just a knowledge test; it is a test of speed and strategy. Our programme is built on four main pillars of the exam:
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Mathematics & Science (STEM) Focused Training
For Engineering, Medicine and Basic Sciences candidates, we teach the most critical parts of the exam — Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry — with terminology matched to the exam’s English/Chinese format.
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Academic Chinese (Professional Chinese) Support
Everyday Chinese (HSK) is not enough! With our Academic Chinese lessons, which make reading academic articles, analysing terms and following lectures easier, we help you make a difference in the hardest part of the exam.
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Computer-Based Exam Simulations
The CSCA is a digital exam. Through the online platform we offer, our students get used to the real exam interface and improve their time-management skills.
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Strategic Academic Counselling
We analyse which subject combination you need for which programme, and our expert counsellors match you with universities and scholarships that suit your score.
Why Study First Academy?
Up-to-Date Curriculum
Content 100% aligned with the 2026 exam format and current question types.
Command of Terminology
We remove the language barrier by teaching quantitative subjects with English or Chinese terms.
High Success Rate
We combine our experience in international exams such as AP and SAT with the academic depth of the CSCA.
Scholarship-Focused Prep
Our goal is not just to pass the exam, but to reach the highest score that can win the CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship)!
🗓️ Programme Details and Enrolment
CSCA exams are held at set times of the year (January, March, April, June and December). Don’t be late to choose the exam session that suits you best and to build a study plan for your level. "The future is in China, the preparation is at Study First Academy!"
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