CSCA Exam 2027: Dates, Subjects, Fees and Scores
Published on February 22, 2026 · Updated on November 8, 2026 | By Foorsa Team
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is the entrance test for a bachelor's in China. Every Chinese Government Scholarship university requires it from undergraduate applicants since the 2026 intake (scholarship or not), and it becomes mandatory for all international undergraduates by 2028.
Next session: 19–20 December 2026. Fee: ¥450 for one subject, ¥700 for two or more. No pass mark.
Practise free on CSCA by Foorsa
- Full timed mock exam (csca.help/exam)
- Practice lessons by subject (csca.help/learn)
Sit the mock before you book a session. You will know which subject needs the work.
CSCA 2027 at a glance
| Who must take it | Undergraduate applicants to Chinese Government Scholarship universities since the 2026 intake, scholarship or not. Mandatory for all international undergraduates by 2028. Not for master's or PhD. |
| Subjects | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Professional Chinese. Which ones depends on your programme. |
| Fee | ¥450 for one subject (≈ 650 MAD) · ¥700 for two or more (≈ 1,000 MAD) |
| Mode | Online from home (proctored) or at a test centre |
| Scores | 0–100 per subject. No pass mark: each university sets its own scores. |
| Results | Within 10 working days |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Registration | csca.cn |
Session dates: December 2026 to June 2027
| Session | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| 14–15 Nov 2026 | Registration ran 15–21 Oct 2026 and is closed. |
| 19–20 Dec 2026 | Next session. Results in time for February and March deadlines. |
| 23–24 Jan 2027 | Last session for a mid-February deadline. |
| 13–14 Mar 2027 | Results can take until 26 March: too late for a 20 March deadline. |
| 24–25 Apr 2027 | For routes with later deadlines. |
| 26–27 Jun 2027 | Last session in the current calendar. |
Registration windows for each session: csca.help/calendar. You register on csca.cn. For CSC deadlines, see the CSC Scholarship 2027 guide.
The 4 subjects
| Subject | Questions | Minutes | Who takes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 48 | 60 | All majors |
| Physics | 48 | 60 | Science and engineering |
| Chemistry | 48 | 60 | Science and medicine |
| Professional Chinese | 80 | 90 | Chinese-taught programmes and all scholarship applicants (humanities or STEM stream) |
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are available in Chinese or English. Professional Chinese is tested in Chinese. Example: a CSC applicant to an engineering bachelor's sits Mathematics, Professional Chinese and Physics. That is three subjects, so ¥700 in total.
What your score means
- 0–100 per subject. There is no pass mark. Each university sets its own scores, so ask yours what it expects.
- Results within 10 working days. Pick a session that reports before your deadline.
- Valid 2 years. A December 2026 score still counts in December 2028.
- CSC files need it. The 2027/2028 CSC application pack includes a "CSCA Score Report" appendix for undergraduate applicants.
Register in 3 steps
- Confirm your subjects with your university or scholarship route.
- Create your account on csca.cn with your own email address and valid passport details.
- Choose a session, pay ¥450 or ¥700, and follow the exam-day instructions in your account.
Prepare in 3 months
- Week 1: sit the full timed mock. Note your weakest subject.
- Weeks 2 to 10: work through the practice lessons, weakest subject first. Mathematics every week: every major takes it.
- Weeks 11 and 12: one timed mock per week. Review every mistake.
Plan 10–15 hours a week. Already at HSK 4 with strong maths? 6–8 weeks can be enough. Our CSCA test simulator on foorsa.ma works too.
CSCA vs HSK
| CSCA | HSK | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Academic readiness for a bachelor's | Chinese language level |
| Content | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Professional Chinese, as required | Chinese only |
| Used for | University admission and scholarships | Language certification |
| Format | Subjects set by your route and university | Levels 1–6 |
Need both? It depends on your university. HSK is often asked for Chinese-taught or language programmes; the CSCA is the academic test for bachelor's admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CSCA mandatory for all CSC scholarship applicants?
For undergraduates, yes. Every Chinese Government Scholarship university requires a CSCA score from bachelor's applicants since the 2026 intake, and the test becomes mandatory for all international undergraduates by 2028. Master's and PhD applicants do not take it.
What is a good CSCA score for scholarships?
There is no universal pass mark or scholarship score. Each university sets its own, so check the rule for your target programme.
Can I take the CSCA in Arabic or French?
No. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are available in Chinese or English. Professional Chinese is tested in Chinese.
Can I take the CSCA from home?
Yes. You can sit it online from home under remote proctoring, or at a test centre.
Can I retake the CSCA?
Six sessions run between November 2026 and June 2027. Check the current retake rules on csca.cn and how your university treats several scores before you register again.
Practise free on CSCA by Foorsa: the full timed mock exam and practice lessons. Then book the session that fits your deadline.
Ready to Ace the CSCA Test?
Get expert guidance, study materials, and personalized preparation support from Foorsa.
Contact Foorsa Today
