Understanding the CSCA Examination System
The standardized academic entrance benchmark required for international undergraduate admissions and Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC) at top Chinese universities—including Subject Syllabi and the Official Home-based & Computer-based Handbook for Test Takers.
Get Official Exam Syllabus, Sample Papers & Test Taker Handbook via Email
Enter your email address to receive the complete 2026/2027 Official Exam Syllabus, Sample Papers (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Humanities Chinese & STEM Chinese), and the Official CSCA Test Taker Handbook PDF delivered directly to your inbox via Kit.
STEM & Specialized Chinese Testing
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry (48 single-choice questions / 60 mins each) and Specialized Chinese (80 single-choice questions / 90 mins) under strict no-calculator rules.
Home-Based & Test Center Modes
Delivered via the official CSCATestSoftware.exe Windows client with AI facial recognition and live 45° dual-camera proctoring, or at designated test centers.
University & CSC Recognition
Required or prioritized by C9 League, Project 985, and Double First-Class universities for Bachelor's admissions and CSC Type-A / Type-B scholarship allocation.
Subject Syllabi & Examination Specifications
View All Syllabi & Sample Papers →CSCA Test Taker Handbook: How to Take the Online & Computer-Based Exam
According to the official CSCA Home-based Handbook for Test Takers and CSCA Computer-based Handbook for Test Takers, candidates taking the exam must strictly comply with the official test schedule, device and network specifications, dual-camera monitoring rules, and erasable scratch materials policy below.
I. Official 2-Day Test Schedule & Check-In Rules (Beijing Time / UTC+8)
View Full Nov 2026 – Jun 2027 Calendar →* You only need to take the subject(s) shown on your Admission Ticket. Once the test has started, late arrivals are not admitted and test fees are non-refundable. Official scores are released within 10 working days after the exam.
II. Home-Based Online Exam: Device, Software & Network Requirements
1. Primary Device (Computer for Answering & Front Camera)
- Operating System: Genuine 64-bit Windows 10/11 or Windows 7 SP1+ (⚠️ macOS is NOT supported; all-in-one desktop computers are not recommended).
- Physical Environment: Single physical monitor only (≥1366×768, RAM ≥4GB, ≥2GB free space on Drive D or E — avoid Drive C). External monitors and privacy filters are prohibited.
- Disable Virtualization & VPNs: Must disable Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, WSL/WSL2, VBS, remote desktop, cloud PCs, and all VPNs, proxies, and network accelerators.
- Camera & Audio: Centered front webcam (≥720p, 1080p recommended) showing full face and both shoulders. Use external speakers and microphone (wireless headphones or earbuds are strictly prohibited).
2. Secondary Device (Smartphone / Tablet Rear-Side Camera)
- Placement & Angle: Fix on a stable stand or tripod 1.0–1.5 meters behind you at a 45-degree angle to your left or right, slightly above shoulder level.
- Monitoring View: Must clearly cover your upper body, computer screen, both hands, and desk work area with no blind spots.
- Device Settings: Turn on Do Not Disturb / Focus mode, mute all sounds, turn off automatic sleep/screen-off, and connect to a power source.
- Browser & Network: Scan the QR code using iOS Camera/Safari or Android Chrome. Close WeChat and TikTok in the background. Using an independent Wi-Fi or 4G/5G network (or Airplane Mode + Wi-Fi) is recommended.
3. Testing Space, Seating & Network Speed
Test in an independent, quiet, well-lit, fully enclosed room. Sit in the corner of the room with your desk positioned against two walls, facing the wall with your back to the interior of the room. Network bandwidth must be ≥20 Mbps with sustained speed ≥500 KB/s in the built-in speed test (wired broadband + backup 4G hotspot recommended).
4. Scratch Materials Policy (Home-Based vs. Test Center)
Home-Based Online Exam: You may ONLY use a small whiteboard OR a blank sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable whiteboard marker & eraser. Regular scratch paper, sticky notes, notebooks, tissues/wet wipes, pencils, ballpoint pens, and calculators are prohibited. (At Offline Test Centers, scratch paper is provided on site and collected before exit; bring a black ink pen).
III. Step-by-Step Online Exam Procedure (Before, During & After the Test)
Software Check & Proctored Mock Test
Exit all third-party antivirus software (360, Tencent, McAfee, Norton), extract CSCATestSoftware.zip to Drive D or E, and right-click Run as administrator (click More info → Run anyway on Windows SmartScreen). On first login, enter your Admission Ticket No. & password on Retrieve Test Server Address. Complete the mandatory Equipment Check and Home-based Proctored Mock Test (Tech support: cscatech@cscdf.org).
Sign In, Facial Recognition & QR Code
The system opens 60 minutes before start time. Sign in, confirm your candidate information, pass the microphone & ≥500 KB/s network check, complete front Facial Recognition, and scan the Secondary Camera QR Code at least 5 minutes before the test begins.
360° Room Scan & Identity Check
Follow the proctor's audio call to: (1) Hold your original valid Passport to the primary camera; (2) Perform a 360° slow room scan with the secondary device; (3) Show blank scratch materials & both sides of your printed Admission Ticket; (4) Display eyeglass frames and raise both hands to show both wrists.
Auto-Submission & Scratch Erasure
Early submission is not allowed. When time expires, the system auto-submits. Do NOT exit immediately: erase both sides of your scratch materials on the spot, hold each clean side and both sides of your Admission Ticket to the primary camera, and exit only after proctor confirmation. Keep the software until scores are released.
Frequently Asked Questions (2027 Admissions Cycle)
Who is required to take the CSCA examination for 2027 admissions?
International students applying for undergraduate STEM, Clinical Medicine (MBBS), and Economics/Business degrees at CSC-designated, Project 985, and Double First-Class universities in China are required or strongly prioritized to submit verified CSCA scores.
When is the optimal testing window to align with 2027 scholarship deadlines?
For candidates targeting CSC Type-A, Type-B Silk Road, and university freshman scholarships (deadlines typically between January 15 and April 30, 2027), the November 2026 through March 2027 CSCA sessions provide the ideal submission window.
Can official CSCA exam scores be reused across multiple Chinese universities?
Yes. An official CSCA score report remains valid for two academic years from the date of issuance and can be submitted to multiple participating Chinese universities simultaneously.