CSCA exam guide 2026

The CSCA exam, explained

Dates, format, fees, registration and scores — verified against the official exam portal, not copied from other prep sites. Confirm the moving parts on csca.cn and your target university before you book.

Last reviewed 27 September 2026 · GetCSCA editors

When is the next CSCA exam sitting

14–15 Nov 2026

Registration: 15–21 Oct 2026

Next published sitting. Confirm the registration window on csca.cn before paying.

19–20 Dec 2026

Registration: Not open yet

Published on csca.cn; registration details can change by session.

23–24 Jan 2027

Registration: Not open yet

Published on csca.cn; confirm the final window before booking travel.

CSCA exam format by subject

Mathematics · 48Q / 60 min

Sets, functions, calculus, geometry, probability. Mandatory for everyone — drill it in the practice bank.

Physics · 48Q / 60 min

Mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics. Check your syllabus against the syllabus map.

Chemistry · 48Q / 60 min

Equations, solutions, equilibria, experiments. Often specifically required for medicine.

Professional Chinese · 80Q / 90 min

Chinese only, no English option. Humanities and STEM streams by major — confirming the right stream matters more than extra vocabulary.

No calculator on any paper. No negative marking. Roughly 75 seconds per question. The November 2026 session runs across two days — Day 1 Professional Chinese plus Mathematics, Day 2 Physics plus Chemistry.

CSCA exam fees

¥450 CNY for one subject, ¥700 CNY for two or more subjects in a single sitting — so taking both subjects at once costs less than a second registration later. Alipay, WeChat Pay or bank transfer.

How to prepare, in order

  1. 1. Diagnose. Take the free 10-question diagnostic so the system can rank your weak topics.
  2. 2. Drill. Work the practice bank at CSCA Standard difficulty with step-by-step explanations.
  3. 3. Rehearse. Sit a full 48-question mock in 60 minutes with the exam timer.

CSCA exam questions: FAQ

When is the next CSCA exam?
14–15 November 2026, with registration open 15–21 October 2026. Two more sittings are published: 19–20 December 2026 and 23–24 January 2027. Always confirm on csca.cn, because dates and registration windows change per session.
What is the CSCA exam format?
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are each 48 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, scored 0–100. Professional Chinese is 80 questions in 90 minutes, Chinese only, with separate Humanities and STEM streams. No calculator is allowed and there is no negative marking.
How much does the CSCA exam cost?
¥450 CNY for one subject, ¥700 CNY for two or more subjects in a single sitting. Payment is by Alipay, WeChat Pay or bank transfer on csca.cn. Keep the receipt.
How do I register for the CSCA exam?
On csca.cn: create an account, pick your subjects before paying, pay the fee, then download the admission ticket and the latest test software from Registration – My CSCA. Run the equipment and network check in the announced window, and log in one hour early on exam day.
What is a good CSCA score?
Subjects are scored 0–100 with no official pass mark — each university sets its own cutoff, and scores stay valid for 2 years. A score that clears your target university's published cutoff with margin is a good score; stable timed-mock scores are how you find out before exam day.
Which subjects do I need for the CSCA?
Mathematics is mandatory for everyone. Professional Chinese is required for Chinese-taught programmes, in the Humanities or STEM stream for your major. Science, engineering, agriculture and medicine require at least one of Physics or Chemistry — medicine often requires Chemistry specifically.