New Entrance Exam Introduced in China
10 أبريل 2025
The Academic Proficiency Test for Undergraduate Admission of International Students in China, formally known as the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), has been developed under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. This standardized assessment is the result of over a decade of experience and research in evaluating students under the Chinese Government Scholarship programs.
Objectives of the CSCA Initiative
The goal of CSCA is to establish a unified, scientific, and authoritative assessment standard for undergraduate admission of international students in China, addressing the long-standing pain points of inconsistent international recruitment standards among universities, difficulty in quality control, and lack of basis for review. It aims to lay a solid foundation for the high-quality development of international student education in China and strive to become an important support for building the "Study in China" brand.
Test Takers
Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, applicants applying for undergraduate degree programs at Chinese Government Scholarship institutions must take the Test before submitting their applications. The Test scores should be one of the necessary materials for institutions admission review. Meanwhile, to further leverage the reference value of the Test for improving the quality of undergraduate international student sources in China, Non-Chinese Government Scholarship institutions are encouraged to organize their applicants to take the Test.
Structured Subject Framework of the CSCA Examination
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) follows a structured format combining mandatory and optional subjects, designed to comprehensively assess the academic readiness of international undergraduate applicants. The assessment is divided into two key categories: Specialized Chinese and Basic Subjects, encompassing a total of five subjects.
1. Specialized Chinese
The Specialized Chinese section is tailored to evaluate language proficiency relevant to the applicant’s intended field of study and is offered in two distinct streams: Liberal Arts Chinese & Science Chinese. Applicants applying for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs must take the appropriate Specialized Chinese test based on their academic track (Arts or Science). However, students applying for English-taught programs are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants for Chinese Language majors may also be exempt if they hold a valid HSK Level 4 certificate.
2. Basic Subjects
Mathematics (Mandatory):
Mathematics is compulsory for all applicants, regardless of their chosen major. It evaluates the student's core academic competence and logical reasoning skills.Physics and Chemistry (Optional):
Institutions may determine whether these subjects are required based on the academic requirements of specific programs. Generally, applicants pursuing majors in science, engineering, agriculture, or medical fields should be expected to take at least one of these two subjects.
Note:
Considering the diverse native language backgrounds of international students, the three basic subjects Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry; all offer test papers in both Chinese and English. Candidates can choose the test language based on the teaching language requirements of their target university or as required by the school.
Test Language
To accommodate the diverse linguistic backgrounds of international applicants, the CSCA offers Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry examinations in both Chinese and English. Candidates have the flexibility to select the language of the test papers based on the medium of instruction required by their intended academic program in China. This bilingual option ensures inclusivity and enhances the accessibility of the test for a global applicant pool.
Global Test Calendar for CSCA Implementation
The inaugural administration of the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is scheduled for December 21, 2025. Beginning in 2026, a standardized testing calendar will be introduced, with assessments held five times annually in January, March, April, June, and December. This fixed cycle ensures a consistent and accessible schedule for applicants worldwide.
To accommodate different time zones and regional needs, the CSCA will focus its December, April, and June sessions primarily on candidates from the Asia-Pacific region, while the January and March sessions will cater more to applicants based in Europe and the Americas. This global distribution aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for a diverse international applicant pool.
Each subject test is conducted according to a designated time slot based on Beijing Time. The daily test timetable is as follows: Specialized Chinese from 13:00 to 14:30, Mathematics from 15:30 to 16:30, Physics from 17:30 to 18:30, and Chemistry from 19:30 to 20:30.
Examination Format and Logistics
The CSCA is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of international students through a flexible testing format. Initially, the examination will be conducted primarily as an online proctored test, allowing candidates to take the test from home under secure supervision. This format ensures broad accessibility and convenience, particularly for applicants from regions where test centers are not yet established.
To further enhance accessibility and integrity, the China Scholarship Council is concurrently working on developing a network of offline testing centers. In 2025, the first batch of these centers will be launched in Vietnam and Thailand, marking the beginning of a hybrid system that combines both online and offline test delivery.
From 2026 onwards, the expansion of offline test centers will accelerate across major source countries for international students in China, including India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The long-term goal is to establish testing infrastructure across the top 20 student-sending countries within the next two to three years. This dual-format system aims to provide a standardized and secure testing experience for all candidates, regardless of geographic location.
Examination Fee Structure
To register for the CSCA examination, the Fee for a Single Subject is 450 RMB. For candidates opting to take two or more subjects, a Flat Fee of 700 RMB will be charged.
The payment system is designed to be user-friendly and internationally accessible, supporting major domestic and global payment platforms including Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, VISA, and MasterCard.
Registration Process for CSCA Examination
The registration for the CSCA examination is expected to open between early to late November 2025. Exact dates and procedural details will be officially published on the CSCA website: www.csca.cn
Candidates will primarily register through the online platform, which supports both Chinese and English languages to ensure accessibility for international applicants. Additionally, to accommodate students in regions with limited internet or technical infrastructure, offline registration support will be provided by selected overseas partner test centers. Further details, including the list of authorized centers and service protocols, will be announced on the official website.
CSCA Score Reporting and Evaluation Timeline
All CSCA subjects are assessed using a percentage-based scoring system. These scores are intended to serve as a standardized reference, while individual institutions retain the autonomy to establish their own admission thresholds based on program-specific criteria. The release of scores is dependent on the testing format: results from online proctored examinations and centralized computer-based tests will be available within 7 working days, whereas scores from paper-based tests will be released within 14 working days following the examination.
In addition to raw scores, institutions will also have access to candidates’ percentile rankings, indicating their relative performance compared to other test-takers worldwide during the same test session. This provides valuable insights into the applicant's academic standing and enhances the precision and fairness of the admissions selection process.
Incorporating CSCA Requirements in Institutional Admission Guidelines
As part of the undergraduate admissions process for the 2026/2027 academic year, universities and colleges must explicitly state in their admission brochures that the "Academic Proficiency Test for Undergraduate Admission of International Students in China (CSCA) Score Report" is a mandatory component of the application package. Institutions should also clearly outline which CSCA test subjects are required for specific academic programs, along with any additional prerequisites or instructions.
Furthermore, universities are expected to utilize CSCA scores as a standardized, quantitative measure to evaluate the academic readiness of applicants from diverse educational backgrounds. While the CSCA provides a consistent benchmark, institutions retain the flexibility to establish their own admission thresholds based on internal evaluation criteria and program requirements. These standards should be developed scientifically and reviewed periodically to ensure fairness and effectiveness. Test scores and candidate data will be made available to institutions in a timely manner to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement of the admissions process.
List of CSCA University
A Full list of Chinese Government Scholarship Universities below. If you want to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree from any of the mentioned Universities in China, you need to undertake the CSCA Exam:
Peking University
Tsinghua University
Renmin University of China
Beijing Normal University
China Agricultural University
Beijing Foreign Studies University
Beijing Language and Culture University
University of Science and Technology Beijing
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Beijing Jiaotong University
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
China University of Geosciences, Beijing
China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing
China University of Petroleum, Beijing
Beijing Forestry University
Communication University of China
Central University of Finance and Economics
China University of Political Science and Law
Central Conservatory of Music
The Central Academy of Drama
Central Academy of Fine Arts
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
University of International Business and Economics
North China Electric Power University
Nankai University
Tianjin University
Dalian University of Technology
Northeastern University
Jilin University
Northeast Normal University
Northeast Forestry University
Fudan University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tongji University
East China University of Science and Technology
Donghua University
East China Normal University
Shanghai International Studies University
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
Nanjing University
Southeast University
China University of Mining and Technology
Hohai University
Jiangnan University
Nanjing Agricultural University
China Pharmaceutical University
Hefei University of Technology
Zhejiang University
Xiamen University
Shandong University
Ocean University of China
China University of Petroleum (East China)
Wuhan University
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
China University of Geosciences, Wuhan
Wuhan University of Technology
Central China Normal University
Huazhong Agricultural University
Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Central South University
Hunan University
Sun Yat-sen University
South China University of Technology
Chongqing University
Southwest University
Sichuan University
Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
Southwest Jiaotong University
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Xi'an Jiaotong University
Northwest A&F University
Shaanxi Normal University
Xidian University
Chang'an University
Lanzhou University
Anhui University
Anhui Agricultural University
Anhui Normal University
Anhui Medical University
Anshan Normal University
North China University of Technology
Beihua University
Beijing International Studies University
Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Technology and Business University
Beijing University of Technology
Beihang University
Beijing Institute of Technology
Beijing Sport University
Peking Union Medical College
Bohai University
Changchun University
Changchun University of Science and Technology
Changchun University of Chinese Medicine
Yangtze University
Changsha University of Science & Technology
Chengdu University of Technology
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chongqing Jiaotong University
Chongqing Normal University
Chongqing Medical University
Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Dali University
Dalian Polytechnic University
Dalian Maritime University
Dalian Jiaotong University
Dalian University of Foreign Languages
Dalian Medical University
Dongbei University of Finance and Economics
Northeast Electric Power University
Northeast Agricultural University
Fujian Police College
Fujian University of Technology
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Fujian Normal University
Fujian Medical University
Fuzhou University
Gansu University of Chinese Medicine
Gannan Normal University
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Guangxi University
Guangxi University for Nationalities
Guangxi Normal University
Guangxi Medical University
Guangzhou Medical University
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
Guizhou University
Guizhou Minzu University
Guizhou Normal University
Guilin University of Electronic Technology
Harbin Engineering University
Harbin Institute of Technology
Harbin University of Science and Technology
Harbin Normal University
Harbin Medical University
Hainan University
Hainan Normal University
Hangzhou Normal University
Hefei University
Hebei University
Hebei University of Technology
Hebei University of Economics and Business
Hebei Normal University
Hebei Medical University
Henan University
Henan University of Technology
Henan University of Chinese Medicine
Heihe University
Heilongjiang University
Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine
Hubei University
Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
Hunan Normal University
East China University of Political Science and Law
South China Agricultural University
South China Normal University
Huaqiao University
Huangshan University
Jilin Agricultural University
Jilin Normal University
Jilin International Studies University
University of Jinan
Jinan University
Jiamusi University
Jiangsu University
Jiangsu Police Institute
Jiangsu Normal University
Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
Jiangxi Agricultural University
Jiangxi Normal University
Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
Jinzhou Medical University
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute
Kunming University of Science and Technology
Kunming Medical University
Lanzhou Jiaotong University
Lanzhou University of Technology
Liaoning University
Liaoning Technical University
Liaoning University of Technology
University of Science and Technology Liaoning
Liaoning Normal University
Liaoning Petrochemical University
Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ludong University
Mudanjiang Normal University
Nanchang University
Nanchang Hangkong University
Southern University of Science and Technology
Southern Medical University
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Nanjing Forestry University
Nanjing Audit University
Nanjing Normal University
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
Nanjing Medical University
Nanjing University of the Arts
Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
Nanning Normal University
Nantong University
Inner Mongolia University
Inner Mongolia University of Technology
Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities
Inner Mongolia Agricultural University
Inner Mongolia Normal University
Ningbo University
Ningbo University of Technology
The University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Ningxia University
Ningxia Medical University
Qiqihar University
Qingdao University
Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Qinghai University
Qinghai Nationalities University
China Three Gorges University
Xiamen University of Technology
Shandong University of Science and Technology
Shandong University of Technology
Shandong Normal University
Shanxi University
Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine
Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine
Shantou University
Shanghai University
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
Shanghai Maritime University
Shanghai Ocean University
Shanghai Tech University
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
Shanghai Normal University
Shanghai University of Sport
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Shenyang University of Technology
Shenyang Aerospace University
Shenyang Jianzhu University
Shenyang Ligong University
Shenyang Normal University
Shihezi University
Capital University of Economics and Business
Capital Normal University
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
Capital Medical University
Sichuan Agricultural University
Sichuan International Studies University
Soochow University
Taiyuan University of Technology
Tianjin University of Finance and Economics
Tiangong University
Tiangong University (formerly Tianjin University of Science & Technology)
Tianjin University of Technology
Tianjin Normal University
Tianjin Foreign Studies University
Tianjin Medical University
Tianjin University of Technology and Education
Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
China Foreign Affairs University
Wenzhou University
Wenzhou Medical University
Wuhan Textile University
Wuhan Sports University
Wuyi University
Xi'an Shiyou University
Xi'an International Studies University
Northwest University
Northwestern Polytechnical University
Northwest Normal University
Westlake University
Southwest Petroleum University
Southwest University of Political Science and Law
Tibet University
Xiangtan University
Xinjiang University
Xinjiang Normal University
Xinjiang Medical University
Yantai University
Yanbian University
Yanshan University
Yangzhou University
Yunnan University of Finance and Economics
Yunnan University
Yunnan Minzu University
Yunnan Agricultural University
Yunnan Normal University
Zhejiang Gongshang University
Zhejiang University of Technology
Zhejiang Ocean University
Zhejiang Police College
Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Zhejiang Normal University
Zhengzhou University
University of Science and Technology of China
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
China Academy of Art
Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
China Youth University of Political Studies
People's Public Security University of China
National Police University of China (formerly Criminal Investigation Police University of China)
China Medical University
China Conservatory of Music
Minzu University of China