China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)
The CSCA is a standardized entrance examination administered for international undergraduate applicants to Chinese universities. Achieving a competitive score is required for major scholarship evaluations, including the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS).
1. Subject & Syllabus Breakdowns
The exam tests foundational high school-level academic proficiency. Depending on your chosen degree (STEM vs. Liberal Arts), you will be evaluated on the following tracks:
Mathematics (Compulsory)
Required for all tracks. Covers advanced algebra, functions, trigonometry, geometry, probability, and basic calculus.
Physics & Chemistry (Science & Engineering Track)
Mandatory for engineering, medicine, physics, and chemistry majors. Tests mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, chemical reactions, and periodic tables.
Professional Chinese (All tracks)
Evaluates academic vocabulary, comprehension, and expression based on the track (Humanities or Science/Tech).
Free Test Prep Downloads
Register to download the latest study guides compiled by international scholars who successfully scored in the top 5%:
- CSCA Math Syllabus & Formula Sheet (PDF)
- Physics & Chemistry High-Frequency Practice Set (PDF)
- 10-Day Professional Chinese Prep Guide (PDF)
2. Home-Based Exam: Dual-Camera Setup
The CSCA utilizes an AI-monitored, home-based testing client. To prevent cancellation of scores, you must configure a dual-camera monitoring environment exactly as required:
Primary Device (Computer)
Must be a desktop or laptop running **Windows 10 or 11** (macOS and mobile operating systems are not supported by the exam client). This device runs the official testing browser and monitors your face and eyes via the front-facing webcam.
Secondary Device (Smartphone)
A mobile phone running the official monitoring app. The phone must be placed **1.5 meters behind you at a 45-degree angle**, connected to power, with the camera showing your desk, hands, computer screen, and body profile.
CSCA Admission Score Benchmarks
Based on statistics from previous cohorts, here are the competitive score ranges for admission and scholarship awards:
| CSCA Score | Target Universities |
|---|---|
| 130+ | C9 League (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, Zhejiang) |
| 110 - 130 | Top 985 Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong, Nanjing) |
| 90 - 110 | Key 211 / Provincial Universities |
3. Score Release & Next Steps
Official CSCA results are typically released **within 7 working days** after the completion of the exam. Scores are sent directly to your candidate dashboard and automatically forwarded to the universities you specified during registration.
Once your scores are released, you can use our **Interactive Rank Predictor** in the community Discord to calculate your admission probability and start preparing your relocation package.
Connect with Scholars on Discord