CSCA Exam Dates & Registration 2026–2027 — Full Schedule

CSCA Exam Schedule for 2026–2027

The CSCA runs a sitting most months, giving international students plenty of flexibility to choose a test date that works with their academic timeline and preparation schedule. On 24 September 2026 the CSCA published the timetable for every sitting from November 2026 to June 2027; the table below lists those with the sittings already held.

Session	Exam days	First paper starts (Beijing time)	Registration
December 2025	December 21, 2025	—	Held — first ever sitting
January 2026	January 25, 2026	—	Held
March 2026	March 15, 2026	—	Held
April 2026	April 25, 2026	—	Held
June 2026	June 27, 2026	—	Held
November 2026	November 14–15, 2026	14:00	Opens mid-October 2026
December 2026	December 19–20, 2026	08:00	To be announced
January 2027	January 23–24, 2027	14:00	To be announced
March 2027	March 13–14, 2027	14:00	To be announced
April 2027	April 24–25, 2027	14:00	To be announced
June 2027	June 26–27, 2027	08:00	To be announced

Two Exam Days

From November 2026 every sitting is spread over two days. Professional Chinese (90 minutes) and Mathematics (60 minutes) are sat on the first day, Physics and Chemistry (60 minutes each) on the second. On an afternoon sitting the first day runs Chinese 14:00–15:30 and Maths 17:00–18:00, and the second Physics 14:00–15:00 and Chemistry 16:30–17:30. On a morning sitting the same papers run 08:00–09:30, 11:00–12:00, 08:00–09:00 and 10:30–11:30.

All times are Beijing time (UTC+8), for home-based and test-centre candidates alike, so convert them to your own time zone: 08:00 in Beijing is midnight GMT, which puts a morning sitting in the middle of the night across Africa and Europe. The exam calendar shows each paper in your local time.

Important note: Registration for the November 2026 sitting opens in mid-October; the CSCA has not yet published deadlines for the later sittings. Arrangements can still change for a sitting: its exam notice and your admission ticket have the final word. Always confirm exact dates and deadlines on the official CSCA website at csca.cn before planning your registration.

This table lists the sessions themselves rather than which one is open right now — a published article cannot stay accurate about that. For the live status of each session, including which one is next and whether registration is still open, see the CSCA exam calendar.

How to Choose the Right Exam Date

Selecting the optimal exam date depends on several factors unique to your situation:

For Fall 2027 University Admission

If you're applying to start university in September 2027, the most strategic exam dates are:

• November or December 2026, or January 2027: Ideal if you want your scores in time for early application rounds, with time left for a retake
• March or April 2027: Still works for most university application deadlines
• June 2027: Cutting it close for fall admission — check individual university deadlines carefully

Many Chinese universities have application deadlines between March and June, and scholarship deadlines can be earlier, so a sitting between November and January gives you the most flexibility: your scores are in hand before the first deadlines, with a later sitting left for a retake. A March sitting's results are due by late March, which may be too late for a March deadline.

For Spring 2027 University Admission

If you're targeting a February/March 2027 start:

• November 2026: Results are due within 10 working days, by 27 November, which can leave time for a December retake if that sitting's registration is still open
• December 2026: Results are due by early January 2027, which may be after a spring intake's application deadline, so check each university's spring deadline before relying on this sitting

Strategic Retake Planning

Since there is a CSCA sitting most months and you can submit your best score, many students plan strategically:

• Take your first attempt 3-4 months before your application deadline
• If needed, schedule a retake for the next available session
• Use the gap between attempts to focus on improving weak areas

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Registering for the CSCA is done entirely online through the official platform. Here is exactly how to do it:

Step 1: Create Your CSCA Account

Visit csca.cn and click on the registration portal. You will need to provide:

• Your full legal name (as it appears on your passport)
• A valid email address
• Your nationality and date of birth
• A phone number

Step 2: Upload Required Documents

After creating your account, you need to upload the following documents:

• Passport photo page: A clear, high-resolution scan or photo of your passport's information page showing your name, photo, passport number, and expiration date
• Passport-style photograph: A colour ID photo taken within the last 6 months, 33 mm × 48 mm, JPG/JPEG of 40–200 KB, on a plain white background, face uncovered (religious head coverings allowed) — it is used for facial recognition on exam day

The passport is the only accepted ID: the name, date of birth and passport number you register must match it exactly, and on exam day you must show the original passport (an expired passport or a photocopy is refused). It must stay valid from registration until your scores are released, so if it expires before then, renew it before you register. Make sure your documents are clear and legible.

Step 3: Select Your Exam Session and Subjects

Choose which exam date you want and select the subjects you plan to take. Remember:

• You can take 1 to 4 subjects in a single session
• Each subject is tested in a separate time block, so you can take multiple subjects on the same day
• If you're unsure which subjects you need, check the admission requirements for your target universities and programs

Step 4: Pay the Exam Fee

The fee structure is simple:

• 1 subject: 450 RMB (~$62 USD)
• 2 or more subjects: 700 RMB (~$96 USD)

Payment can be made by international credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or through select digital payment methods. You can cancel for a full refund (minus any bank or service charges) only before your admission ticket is generated; after that, refunds are given only for documented emergencies such as serious illness, and a registration can never be moved to another date or subject, so make sure you're committed to your chosen date before paying.

Step 5: Receive Confirmation and Prepare

Your registration is complete once you receive a confirmation email. Before the exam you will be emailed when your admission ticket can be downloaded from your csca.cn account: it carries your ticket number, the date and subjects, and test-day instructions. Print it and check every detail against your passport: it cannot be changed once generated, and you need the printed ticket on exam day.

Home-Based Testing Option

Where there is no CSCA test centre within reach, you can take the exam from home. The home-based test uses online proctoring, which means you take the test on your own computer while being monitored via your webcam. It is not a free choice: csca.cn says the home-based test is available only in countries or regions where test-centre testing is not yet accessible, so if there is a test centre in your city you sit the paper there.

Technical Requirements

• Computer: A Windows desktop or laptop (Windows 10/11, or Windows 7 SP1 or later, 64-bit; macOS is not supported) with a webcam of at least 720p above the screen, a microphone, and a single screen
• Second device: A smartphone or tablet on a stand, filming you from behind at about 45°
• Internet: At least 20 Mbps upload and download, wired broadband recommended, with a 4G hotspot as backup; no VPN or proxy
• Software: The official CSCA test client on the computer (not a web browser); the phone or tablet runs the browser-based CSCA secondary-camera page
• Environment: A quiet, well-lit room where you won't be disturbed
• Desk: A clear desk with only approved materials

On Test Day

The system opens 60 minutes before the start: log in as soon as it opens with your admission ticket number and password, then complete facial recognition, show your passport and your blank whiteboard to the proctor, and do a 360° room scan. Nobody can enter after the paper has started. Before the exam you must also have completed the equipment check and at least one proctored mock test.

During the exam, you must:

• Keep your webcam on and face visible at all times
• Not use any unauthorized materials, devices, or assistance
• Stay in the camera frame throughout each subject's testing period
• Not leave the room during a subject test (breaks are only between subjects)

When Do You Get Your Results?

From the November 2026 sitting, results are released within 10 working days of the exam, on your CSCA account.

You download the electronic score report from your CSCA account and submit it yourself with each university application; no separate score-sending request is needed, and universities check its authenticity (and your global percentile rank) in the official system.

Key Deadlines to Remember

To make sure you don't miss any important dates, here are the critical deadlines for each CSCA sitting:

• Register before the session's deadline, shown in your csca.cn account and the official announcements
• Request any correction or withdrawal early — neither is possible once your admission ticket is generated
• Complete the equipment check and at least one proctored mock test in the windows the CSCA sets, if taking it from home: both are compulsory
• Check university application deadlines and work backward to determine your ideal exam session

We recommend setting calendar reminders for registration deadlines at least a month in advance. The worst feeling is realizing you missed the registration window for the session you were counting on.

What's Next After Registering?

Once you're registered, it's time to focus on preparation. The CSCA tests specific academic knowledge, and structured study makes a significant difference. Start with a diagnostic assessment to identify your strong and weak areas, then build a study plan that targets the areas where you can gain the most points. Resources like practice tests, interactive lessons, and flashcards — all available for free at CSCA.HELPCSCA by Foorsa — can help you prepare efficiently and confidently.