Question 1

What is the CSCA exam?

Accepted Answer

The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is a standardized entrance exam for international students applying to bachelor's degree programs at Chinese universities. More than 300 universities across China require or accept CSCA scores for admission.

Question 2

How much does the CSCA exam cost?

Accepted Answer

A single subject costs 450 RMB (approximately $62 USD). Two or more subjects cost 700 RMB (approximately $96 USD). Payment is made during online registration.

Question 3

How many times can I take the CSCA exam?

Accepted Answer

You can take the CSCA exam up to 5 times per year. Sessions are typically held in January, March, April, June, and December. Your highest score is used for university applications.

Question 4

What subjects does the CSCA exam cover?

Accepted Answer

The CSCA covers Mathematics (required for all applicants), Physics, Chemistry, and Professional Chinese. You choose which subjects to take based on your intended major and university requirements.

Question 5

Is the CSCA exam hard?

Accepted Answer

The CSCA exam difficulty is roughly equivalent to Chinese high school level (Gaokao). Mathematics and Physics are considered the most challenging sections. With 2-3 months of focused preparation using practice tests and study materials, most students can achieve a competitive score.

Question 6

How do I prepare for the CSCA exam in one month?

Accepted Answer

For a one-month CSCA prep plan: Week 1 — review core concepts and formulas. Week 2 — practice topic-by-topic with flashcards. Week 3 — take full-length practice exams. Week 4 — review weak areas and do final mock exams. Use CSCA.HELP for free interactive lessons and practice questions.

Question 7

What is a good CSCA score?

Accepted Answer

Every CSCA subject is reported on a 0-100 scale. Based on the 50 universities listed on CSCA.HELP, the most selective schools such as Tsinghua and Peking University look for roughly 90 per subject (about the top 5% of test takers), other C9 and 985 universities around 80-88, and many 211 and Double First-Class universities around 55-70. Check the specific requirements for your target schools.

Question 8

What is the difference between CSCA and HSK?

Accepted Answer

The CSCA and HSK are different exams. HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) tests only Chinese language proficiency. The CSCA tests academic subjects — Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Professional Chinese — for university admission. Most universities require both: HSK for language proficiency and CSCA for academic readiness.

Question 9

Can I take the CSCA exam from my home country?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The CSCA is delivered online from home with webcam proctoring, so you can sit it from your own country. A number of authorised offline test centres are also available if you would rather take it in person — you choose your mode when you register at csca.cn.

Question 10

Do I need CSCA for English-taught programs in China?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the university. Some English-taught bachelor's programs waive the CSCA requirement, while others still require it. Generally, STEM programs and top-tier universities require CSCA regardless of instruction language. Check your target university's specific admission requirements.

Question 11

Is a calculator allowed on the CSCA exam?

Accepted Answer

No, calculators are not permitted during the CSCA exam. All calculations must be done by hand. Practice mental math and estimation techniques as part of your preparation. A formula sheet is provided for Physics and Chemistry sections.

Question 12

How long is the CSCA exam?

Accepted Answer

Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are 60 minutes each (48 questions). Professional Chinese is 90 minutes (80 questions). If you take multiple subjects they are scheduled in different time slots within the same day or across consecutive days, and Mathematics is typically scheduled first.

Question 13

When do CSCA exam results come out?

Accepted Answer

Online results are typically available about 7 working days after the test date, and printed score reports take around 14 working days. You can check your scores through the official CSCA portal, and reports are sent to the universities you designated during registration.

Question 14

Do I need CSCA for a master's degree in China?

Accepted Answer

No, the CSCA exam is specifically for bachelor's degree (undergraduate) admission. Master's and doctoral programs have their own admission requirements, which typically include your undergraduate GPA, research experience, and sometimes a separate graduate entrance exam.

Question 15

Which Chinese universities accept CSCA scores?

Accepted Answer

More than 300 Chinese universities accept CSCA scores, including all C9 League universities (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, etc.), 985 Project universities, and 211 Project universities. Visit CSCA.HELP/universities for a complete searchable database with score requirements for each school.

Question 16

What is CSCA Professional Chinese?

Accepted Answer

CSCA Professional Chinese tests academic Chinese language skills beyond everyday conversation. It covers reading comprehension of academic texts, HSK 4-5 level vocabulary, classical Chinese passages, and grammar structures used in university settings. It is required for Chinese-taught programs.

Harbin Institute of Technology

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