Scholarships in China – CSCA Exam Guide (2026 Intake & Onwards)

The CSCA (Chinese Scholastic Competency Assessment) is the official entrance exam for all international students applying for Bachelor’s programs in China starting 2026. It is mandatory for both self-funded and scholarship applicants.

1. Who Needs to Take CSCA?

All international students applying for Bachelor’s (Undergraduate) degrees in China, whether Chinese-taught or English-taught programs, and whether self-funded or scholarship applicants, must take the CSCA exam.

2. Why CSCA is Important?

• Universities use CSCA scores for admission decisions.
• High CSCA scores increase scholarship eligibility.
• Mandatory for CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) applications starting 2026-27.

3. CSCA Subjects & Syllabus

A. Compulsory Subject

Mathematics: Covers high-school topics: Algebra, Equations & Inequalities, Functions, Trigonometry, Vectors, Sequences & Series, Geometry, Probability & Statistics.

B. Elective Subjects (Choose Based on Major)

STEM / Science / Engineering / Medical / Agriculture students must choose at least one:

• Physics (English or Chinese): Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Waves & Optics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Modern Physics, Experimental Reasoning.
• Chemistry (English or Chinese): Basic Chemistry, Periodic Table, Bonding, Reactions, Solutions, Acids/Bases, Organic Chemistry Basics, Practical Chemistry.

C. Professional Chinese Exam

Required only for Chinese-taught Bachelor programs:

• Chinese for Humanities (文科): Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Structure, Grammar, Academic Passages.
• Chinese for Science (理科): Scientific Vocabulary, Reading Scientific Passages, Grammar & Technical Terms.

English-taught programs often do not require this exam.

4. CSCA Exam Format

• Chinese Exam: 90 minutes, 80 MCQs, Score 0–100
• Math / Physics / Chemistry: 60 minutes each, 48 MCQs, Score 0–100, available in English or Chinese
• Exam can be taken online or at authorized test centers.

5. CSCA Exam Dates

First exam: 21 December 2025. Thereafter, exams are held five times a year: January, March, April, June, and December. Students can choose any session for university applications.

6. Passing Criteria

There is no global pass/fail. Each university sets its own minimum score. Higher scores improve scholarship chances, especially for STEM majors.

7. CSCA & Scholarships (CSC Scholarship)

• High CSCA scores improve admission and scholarship chances.
• Eligible for full tuition waivers, free accommodation, and monthly stipends (RMB 1,000–3,000).
• CSCA scores may earn bonus points for scholarship evaluations.

8. Preparation Tips for Students

• Decide intended major and required CSCA subjects
• Practice Math and Physics/Chemistry if STEM
• Improve Chinese reading skills if applying to Chinese-taught programs
• Register early and choose the best exam session
• Use CSCA score for university and scholarship applications