CSCA is a set of subjects, not one single paper. A registration mistake can leave you perfectly prepared for a module the university did not request while missing one that it requires.
The framework below reflects the official information available on 17 August 2026. Check 2027 dates after the new calendar is published.
Available CSCA subjects
| Subject | Language | Time | Questions | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities Chinese | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 | 0–100 |
| STEM Chinese | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 | 0–100 |
| Mathematics | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
| Physics | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
| Chemistry | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
Professional Chinese has two profiles, not two difficulty levels. Choose Humanities Chinese or STEM Chinese from the future programme’s requirement.
Mandatory subjects for CSC applicants
For Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applicants, the official CSCA page lists:
- Mathematics;
- the required Professional Chinese profile;
- Physics and/or Chemistry when required by the university and major.
An applicant to an English-taught programme through CSC should not automatically remove Professional Chinese.
Mandatory subjects outside CSC
For non-CSC applicants at universities using CSCA:
- Mathematics is mandatory;
- Professional Chinese is mandatory for Chinese-taught programmes;
- Physics and Chemistry depend on the major.
For an English-taught programme outside CSC, Professional Chinese is not mandatory under the general framework, but a university may add its own rule.
Planned CSCA sessions in 2026
The official annual plan lists:
- January;
- March;
- April;
- June;
- December.
This is a plan, not a guarantee that every window will run unchanged. Read the notice for your attempt, not only the annual list.
As of 17 August, December is the next session in the published annual plan. Check the official account and announcements for the exact date, registration window and available format.
Do not assume that 2027 will repeat the same dates.
Subject schedule on exam day
The official page lists Beijing time:
| Subject | Time |
|---|---|
| Professional Chinese | 12:00–13:30 |
| Physics | 15:00–16:00 |
| Mathematics | 18:00–19:00 |
| Chemistry | 20:30–21:30 |
Check the time zone and registration confirmation. Taking several subjects creates a very long exam day.
CSCA fees
| Number of subjects | Fee |
|---|---|
| One | 450 ¥ |
| Two or more | 700 ¥ |
For a CSC applicant, mandatory Mathematics and Professional Chinese already fall into the “two or more” rate.
A preparation course does not include the official exam fee unless the provider states this explicitly.
Where the exam takes place
The launch model is primarily a remote home-based exam. On-site computer and paper centres are also being developed in major recruitment countries.
Your session format appears during registration. Do not book travel until you confirm that you selected an on-site centre.
Registration steps
The interface may change, but the process is generally:
- Create an account on the official website.
- Enter your name exactly as shown in the passport.
- Choose the session and format.
- Add subjects from the university’s written requirements.
- Choose the language of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
- Upload a photograph and documents when requested.
- Check the time zone and equipment requirements.
- Pay the official fee.
- Save the confirmation and application number.
Do not create a second account to fix a typo without contacting support. Duplicates may complicate result identification.
How to choose the subject language
Chinese or English is not a prestige decision. Choose the language in which you understand the problem faster and make fewer mistakes.
Complete a full practice block in both. If Chinese reduces your Mathematics score by 15 points, a future Chinese-taught degree does not make that loss useful.
Read the university rules first. CSCA allows the language choice subject to the intended university’s requirements.
Seven expensive mistakes
- Choosing Humanities Chinese instead of STEM Chinese or vice versa.
- Omitting Professional Chinese for CSC.
- Missing required Physics or Chemistry.
- Choosing English against the programme rule.
- Misreading the time zone.
- Paying before checking passport details.
- Leaving the equipment test until exam morning.
Read our guides to Humanities Chinese and STEM Chinese, Physics or Chemistry and the remote CSCA setup.
When results arrive
Official timing:
- home-based and on-site computer exams: within 7 working days;
- paper exams: within 14 working days.
The university sets its own admission criterion. See CSCA results and scores.
Bottom line
The most important part of registration happens before you open the website: you need the exact subject list from the university.
Do not buy an attempt blindly. The written requirement, correct Chinese profile, accepted language and verified time zone matter more than the final “registration complete” tick.
