🔍 What is CSCA?
CSCA is a standardized exam for international applicants planning to enroll in an undergraduate program in China.
It's administered with support from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and evaluates:
· academic foundation
· language preparation
so students can adapt more easily to studying at a Chinese university.
👤 Who needs to take CSCA?
✔ Mandatory for scholarships
Starting with the 2026/2027 academic year, all applicants applying for a Chinese government (CSC) undergraduate scholarship are required to take CSCA.
✔ A plus for top universities
Universities like Peking University, Fudan, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (985/211) already factor in CSCA results when selecting students and allocating scholarships.
✔ An edge for competitive majors
Medicine, business, engineering, IT — a strong CSCA score helps you stand out among other applicants.
✔ A solid addition to a regular undergraduate application
Even if your program doesn't require CSCA, having it makes your file stronger and more convincing.
📝 Subjects and exam format
CSCA covers 4 subjects (depending on your chosen major):
· Academic Chinese — required for programs taught in Chinese (can be skipped for English-taught ones)
· Mathematics — required for everyone
· Physics / Chemistry — elective, usually for technical and science-based fields
📌 Exam formats:
· Online from home — the main format. You'll need a computer and phone (for proctoring). Convenient, no travel required.
· In-person exams — available in some countries (e.g., Vietnam, Thailand), either computer-based or written.
💰 Cost and dates
· 1 subject — 450 yuan
· 2 or more subjects — 700 yuan
📅 Starting in 2026, the exam runs 5 times a year:
January, March, April, June, December
➗ Is the math hard?
No 🙂
CSCA math is easier than China's national gaokao exam.
The main focus is on:
· understanding basic high-school-level topics
· logical reasoning
· moderate calculations
No "killer" problems designed to trip you up. Think of it as a friendly warm-up rather than a stress test.
❗ What if CSCA isn't taken, or the score isn't great?
It's worth understanding: in the coming years, CSCA will very likely be factored in by all Chinese universities.
And if a student never took CSCA, it could lead to serious academic consequences down the road — including issues receiving a diploma in their final year.
But there's no need to panic — there's a way through this ✅
🔓 How do we help with this?
At UNLOCK, we offer full preparation across all CSCA subjects, so students go in prepared and feel confident at every stage.
📌 Based on feedback from students in Malaysia and Singapore, for whom Chinese is a native language,
the toughest CSCA subject turns out to be Chinese itself — because of the academic format, terminology, and exam requirements.
That's exactly why our prep:
· focuses on academic language
· breaks down the format and question types in detail
· prepares systematically across all subjects, not just piece by piece
✨ Bottom line
CSCA today is no longer a formality — it's a genuine part of the path to studying in China.
The earlier you start preparing, the calmer and more secure your studies and graduation will be 🇨🇳
With the right strategy and support, CSCA becomes a manageable, understandable exam.