China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA)

Updated on October 21, 2025

China has officially announced that starting from 2026, all international students applying for undergraduate programs will be required to take a national unified entrance examination — the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).
This initiative aims to select high-quality international applicants and marks an important shift in China’s higher education admission policy — from emphasizing quantity to emphasizing quality.

As the number of international students applying to study in China continues to grow while university capacity remains limited, this examination system has been introduced as a necessary measure to ensure fairness and quality in admissions.

BON WAY will provide our students with the official exam syllabus and practice exercises to help them prepare effectively and improve their scores.
If you are unsure about your ability to pass the exam, please contact our team for free consultation.

Test Candidates and Examination Date

The first global CSCA examination will be held on December 21, 2025.
It will primarily be conducted online (home-based), with the first offline test centers (computer-based or paper-based) set up in Vietnam and Thailand.
The test will cover four subjects: Academic Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

Global First Test Schedule and Subjects

* Applicants for Chinese-taught programs must take the Chinese test.
Applicants for English-taught programs are exempt.
Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English, and candidates may select the test language according to their intended program.

⚠️ Starting from 2026

All applicants for undergraduate programs at Chinese Government Scholarship universities (see the list below) must take the CSCA before submitting their applications.
The CSCA results will become a mandatory part of the admission evaluation materials.

Exam Format: A combination of online and offline formats (computer-based or paper-based tests).
Offline testing centers will be established in major countries sending undergraduate students to China, including India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan.
Within 2–3 years, test centers will cover the top 20 source countries for international students in China.

Annual Test Schedule (from 2026 onwards)

• Asia-Pacific region: December, April, June
• Europe and Americas: January, March

⚠️ From 2028 (Planned)

All international applicants for undergraduate programs at any Chinese university will be required to take the CSCA, and a minimum entry standard will be established for admission.

Important Note

Many parents confuse “Chinese Government Scholarship universities” with “scholarship programs.”
Please note again: regardless of whether you are applying for a scholarship or a self-funded program, and whether the program is taught in Chinese or English, you must take the CSCA exam.

Test Subjects and Fees

The CSCA includes four subjects:

• Academic Chinese
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry

Academic Chinese is divided into Arts Chinese and Science Chinese.
Applicants for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs must take the corresponding Chinese test based on their major category.
Applicants for fully English-taught programs are exempt from the Chinese test.
Applicants for Chinese Language majors who provide a valid HSK Level 4 certificate are exempt from the Academic Chinese test.

The Academic Chinese test includes:
Chinese character recognition, word selection and completion, vocabulary distinction, paragraph formation, sentence completion, and reading comprehension.

Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all applicants — regardless of whether the intended major is in the arts, sciences, business, or arts & design fields.

Physics and Chemistry are optional subjects.
Each university may decide whether to require them based on its academic needs, though applicants for science, engineering, agriculture, and medical majors must take at least one of them.

Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are available in both Chinese and English versions, depending on the language of instruction of the applied program.

Each CSCA subject is scored on a 100-point scale.
Universities will set their own admission standards based on program requirements.

Results for online and offline computer-based tests will be released within 7 working days after the exam.
Paper-based test results will be released within 14 working days, and universities can access students’ global percentile rankings.

Test Fees:

• Single-subject test: RMB 450
• Two or more subjects: RMB 700

Payment methods will include Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, VISA, and MasterCard (domestic and international).
Registration details will be published on the official website in November 2025.

🧮 Mathematics Examination Content and Scope

1. Sets and Inequalities

• Definition, operations, and representation of sets

• Basic properties and solution methods of inequalities (e.g., quadratic and rational inequalities)

2. Functions

• Concepts and properties of functions (domain, range, monotonicity, parity, etc.)

• Basic elementary functions (power, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions)

• Sequences (general term formula and summation of arithmetic and geometric sequences)

• Basics of derivatives and calculus (definition, geometric meaning, and simple applications)

3. Geometry and Algebra

• Plane analytic geometry (equations and properties of lines, circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, and parabolas)

• Vectors and complex numbers (vector operations, basic operations of complex numbers)

• Solid geometry (rectangular coordinate system in space and properties of simple solids)

4. Probability and Statistics

• Classical probability model and probability calculation

• Numerical characteristics of data (mean, variance, etc.)

• Basic concepts of normal distribution

⚛️ Physics Examination Content and Scope

1. Mechanics

• Kinematics: displacement, velocity, acceleration, uniform acceleration motion, free fall motion

• Newton’s laws of motion and their applications

• Momentum and impulse, law of conservation of momentum

• Work and energy, law of conservation of mechanical energy

• Circular motion and universal gravitation

• Simple harmonic motion and mechanical waves

2. Electromagnetism

• Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric field strength, electric potential

• Direct current circuits: Ohm’s law, series and parallel circuits

• Magnetic field: magnetic induction, Ampere’s force, Lorentz force

• Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law

3. Thermodynamics

• Kinetic theory of gases

• Ideal gas equation of state

• First law of thermodynamics

4. Optics

• Geometrical optics: laws of reflection and refraction

• Physical optics: interference and diffraction

5. Modern Physics

• Photoelectric effect

• Atomic structure

• Fundamentals of nuclear physics

⚗️ Chemistry Examination Content and Scope

1. Basic Chemical Concepts and Calculations

• Classification and state changes of matter

• Chemical notation and equation writing

• Solution concentration and pH calculations

• Calculations involving the amount of substance

• Application of the ideal gas law

2. Properties and Reactions of Substances

• Properties of common inorganic substances (elements, oxides, acids, bases, and salts)

• Basic organic compounds (hydrocarbons and their derivatives)

• Identification of redox reactions

• Ionic reactions and testing methods

3. Chemical Theories and Laws

• Atomic structure and periodic law

• Chemical bonds and intermolecular forces

• Reaction rate and chemical equilibrium

• Theories of electrolyte solutions

4. Chemical Experiments and Applications

• Laboratory safety and use of apparatus

• Preparation and identification of common gases

• Methods for separation and purification of substances

• Analysis of industrial chemical processes (e.g., ammonia synthesis)

List of Universities

The following is the list of Chinese Government Scholarship universities mentioned above:

• 1. 北京大学/Peking University
• 2. 清华大学/Tsinghua University
• 3. 中国人民大学/Renmin University of China
• 4. 北京师范大学/Beijing Normal University
• 5. 中国农业大学/China Agricultural University
• 6. 北京外国语大学/Beijing Foreign Studies University
• 7. 北京语言大学/Beijing Language and Culture University
• 8. 北京科技大学/University of Science and Technology Beijing
• 9. 北京化工大学/Beijing University of Chemical Technology
• 10. 北京交通大学/Beijing Jiaotong University
• 11. 北京邮电大学/Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
• 12. 中国地质大学（北京）/China University of Geosciences, Beijing
• 13. 中国矿业大学（北京）/China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing
• 14. 中国石油大学（北京）/China University of Petroleum, Beijing
• 15. 北京林业大学/Beijing Forestry University
• 16. 中国传媒大学/Communication University of China
• 17. 中央财经大学/Central University of Finance and Economics
• 18. 中国政法大学/China University of Political Science and Law
• 19. 中央音乐学院/Central Conservatory of Music
• 20. 中央戏剧学院/The Central Academy of Drama
• 21. 中央美术学院/Central Academy of Fine Arts
• 22. 北京中医药大学/Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
• 23. 对外经济贸易大学/University of International Business and Economics
• 24. 华北电力大学/North China Electric Power University
• 25. 南开大学/Nankai University
• 26. 天津大学/Tianjin University
• 27. 大连理工大学/Dalian University of Technology
• 28. 东北大学/Northeastern University
• 29. 吉林大学/Jilin University
• 30. 东北师范大学/Northeast Normal University
• 31. 东北林业大学/Northeast Forestry University
• 32. 复旦大学/Fudan University
• 33. 上海交通大学/Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• 34. 同济大学/Tongji University
• 35. 华东理工大学/East China University of Science and Technology
• 36. 东华大学/Donghua University
• 37. 华东师范大学/East China Normal University
• 38. 上海外国语大学/Shanghai International Studies University
• 39. 上海财经大学/Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
• 40. 南京大学/Nanjing University
• 41. 东南大学/Southeast University
• 42. 中国矿业大学/China University of Mining and Technology
• 43. 河海大学/Hohai University
• 44. 江南大学/Jiangnan University
• 45. 南京农业大学/Nanjing Agricultural University
• 46. 中国药科大学/China Pharmaceutical University
• 47. 合肥工业大学/Hefei University of Technology
• 48. 浙江大学/Zhejiang University
• 49. 厦门大学/Xiamen University
• 50. 山东大学/Shandong University
• 51. 中国海洋大学/Ocean University of China
• 52. 中国石油大学（华东）/China University of Petroleum (East China)
• 53. 武汉大学/Wuhan University
• 54. 华中科技大学/Huazhong University of Science and Technology
• 55. 中国地质大学（武汉）/China University of Geosciences, Wuhan
• 56. 武汉理工大学/Wuhan University of Technology
• 57. 华中师范大学/Central China Normal University
• 58. 华中农业大学/Huazhong Agricultural University
• 59. 中南财经政法大学/Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
• 60. 中南大学/Central South University
• 61. 湖南大学/Hunan University
• 62. 中山大学/Sun Yat-sen University
• 63. 华南理工大学/South China University of Technology
• 64. 重庆大学/Chongqing University
• 65. 西南大学/Southwest University
• 66. 四川大学/Sichuan University
• 67. 西南财经大学/Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
• 68. 西南交通大学/Southwest Jiaotong University
• 69. 电子科技大学/University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
• 70. 西安交通大学/Xi’an Jiaotong University
• 71. 西北农林科技大学/Northwest A&F University
• 72. 陕西师范大学/Shaanxi Normal University
• 73. 西安电子科技大学/Xidian University
• 74. 长安大学/Chang’an University
• 75. 兰州大学/Lanzhou University
• 76. 安徽大学/Anhui University
• 77. 安徽农业大学/Anhui Agricultural University
• 78. 安徽师范大学/Anhui Normal University
• 79. 安徽医科大学/Anhui Medical University
• 80. 鞍山师范学院/Anshan Normal University
• 81. 北方工业大学/North China University of Technology
• 82. 北华大学/Beihua University
• 83. 北京第二外国语学院/Beijing International Studies University
• 84. 北京电影学院/Beijing Film Academy
• 85. 北京工商大学/Beijing Technology and Business University
• 86. 北京工业大学/Beijing University of Technology
• 87. 北京航空航天大学/Beihang University
• 88. 北京理工大学/Beijing Institute of Technology
• 89. 北京体育大学/Beijing Sport University
• 90. 北京协和医学院/Peking Union Medical College
• 91. 渤海大学/Bohai University
• 92. 长春大学/Changchun University
• 93. 长春理工大学/Changchun University of Science and Technology
• 94. 长春中医药大学/Changchun University of Chinese Medicine
• 95. 长江大学/Yangtze University
• 96. 长沙理工大学/Changsha University of Science & Technology
• 97. 成都理工大学/Chengdu University of Technology
• 98. 成都中医药大学/Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• 99. 重庆交通大学/Chongqing Jiaotong University
• 100. 重庆师范大学/Chongqing Normal University
• 101. 重庆医科大学/Chongqing Medical University
• 102. 重庆邮电大学/Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications
• 103. 大理大学/Dali University
• 104. 大连工业大学/Dalian Polytechnic University
• 105. 大连海事大学/Dalian Maritime University
• 106. 大连交通大学/Dalian Jiaotong University
• 107. 大连外国语大学/Dalian University of Foreign Languages
• 108. 大连医科大学/Dalian Medical University
• 109. 东北财经大学/Dongbei University of Finance and Economics
• 110. 东北电力大学/Northeast Electric Power University
• 111. 东北农业大学/Northeast Agricultural University
• 112. 福建警察学院/Fujian Police College
• 113. 福建理工大学/Fujian University of Technology
• 114. 福建农林大学/Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
• 115. 福建师范大学/Fujian Normal University
• 116. 福建医科大学/Fujian Medical University
• 117. 福州大学/Fuzhou University
• 118. 甘肃中医药大学/Gansu University of Chinese Medicine
• 119. 赣南师范大学/Gannan Normal University
• 120. 广东外语外贸大学/Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
• 121. 广西大学/Guangxi University
• 122. 广西民族大学/Guangxi University for Nationalities
• 123. 广西师范大学/Guangxi Normal University
• 124. 广西医科大学/Guangxi Medical University
• 125. 广州医科大学/Guangzhou Medical University
• 126. 广州中医药大学/Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
• 127. 贵州大学/Guizhou University
• 128. 贵州民族大学/Guizhou Minzu University
• 129. 贵州师范大学/Guizhou Normal University
• 130. 桂林电子科技大学/Guilin University of Electronic Technology
• 131. 哈尔滨工程大学/Harbin Engineering University
• 132. 哈尔滨工业大学/Harbin Institute of Technology
• 133. 哈尔滨理工大学/Harbin University of Science and Technology
• 134. 哈尔滨师范大学/Harbin Normal University
• 135. 哈尔滨医科大学/Harbin Medical University
• 136. 海南大学/Hainan University
• 137. 海南师范大学/Hainan Normal University
• 138. 杭州师范大学/Hangzhou Normal University
• 139. 合肥大学/Hefei University
• 140. 河北大学/Hebei University
• 141. 河北工业大学/Hebei University of Technology
• 142. 河北经贸大学/Hebei University of Economics and Business
• 143. 河北师范大学/Hebei Normal University
• 144. 河北医科大学/Hebei Medical University
• 145. 河南大学/Henan University
• 146. 河南工业大学/Henan University of Technology
• 147. 河南中医药大学/Henan University of Chinese Medicine
• 148. 黑河学院/Heihe University
• 149. 黑龙江大学/Heilongjiang University
• 150. 黑龙江中医药大学/Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine
• 151. 湖北大学/Hubei University
• 152. 湖北中医药大学/Hubei University of Chinese Medicine
• 153. 湖南师范大学/Hunan Normal University
• 154. 华东政法大学/East China University of Political Science and Law
• 155. 华南农业大学/South China Agricultural University
• 156. 华南师范大学/South China Normal University
• 157. 华侨大学/Huaqiao University
• 158. 黄山学院/Huangshan University
• 159. 吉林农业大学/Jilin Agricultural University
• 160. 吉林师范大学/Jilin Normal University
• 161. 吉林外国语大学/Jilin International Studies University
• 162. 济南大学/University of Jinan
• 163. 暨南大学/Jinan University
• 164. 佳木斯大学/Jiamusi University
• 165. 江苏大学/Jiangsu University
• 166. 江苏警官学院/Jiangsu Police Institute
• 167. 江苏师范大学/Jiangsu Normal University
• 168. 江西财经大学/Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
• 169. 江西农业大学/Jiangxi Agricultural University
• 170. 江西师范大学/Jiangxi Normal University
• 171. 江西中医药大学/Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine
• 172. 锦州医科大学/Jinzhou Medical University
• 173. 景德镇陶瓷大学/Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute
• 174. 昆明理工大学/Kunming University of Science and Technology
• 175. 昆明医科大学/Kunming Medical University
• 176. 兰州交通大学/Lanzhou Jiaotong University
• 177. 兰州理工大学/Lanzhou University of Technology
• 178. 辽宁大学/Liaoning University
• 179. 辽宁工程技术大学/Liaoning Technical University
• 180. 辽宁工业大学/Liaoning University of Technology
• 181. 辽宁科技大学/University of Science and Technology Liaoning
• 182. 辽宁师范大学/Liaoning Normal University
• 183. 辽宁石油化工大学/Liaoning Petrochemical University
• 184. 辽宁中医药大学/Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• 185. 鲁东大学/Ludong University
• 186. 牡丹江师范学院/Mudanjiang Normal University
• 187. 南昌大学/Nanchang University
• 188. 南昌航空大学/Nanchang Hangkong University
• 189. 南方科技大学/Southern University of Science and Technology
• 190. 南方医科大学/Southern Medical University
• 191. 南京航空航天大学/Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• 192. 南京理工大学/Nanjing University of Science and Technology
• 193. 南京林业大学/Nanjing Forestry University
• 194. 南京审计大学/Nanjing Audit University
• 195. 南京师范大学/Nanjing Normal University
• 196. 南京信息工程大学/Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
• 197. 南京医科大学/Nanjing Medical University
• 198. 南京艺术学院/Nanjing University of the Arts
• 199. 南京邮电大学/Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
• 200. 南京中医药大学/Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
• 201. 南宁师范大学/Nanning Normal University
• 202. 南通大学/Nantong University
• 203. 内蒙古大学/Inner Mongolia University
• 204. 内蒙古工业大学/Inner Mongolia University of Technology
• 205. 内蒙古民族大学/Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities
• 206. 内蒙古农业大学/Inner Mongolia Agricultural University
• 207. 内蒙古师范大学/Inner Mongolia Normal University
• 208. 宁波大学/Ningbo University
• 209. 宁波工程学院/Ningbo University of Technology
• 210. 守波诺丁汉大学/The University of Nottingham Ningbo China
• 211. 宁夏大学/Ningxia University
• 212. 宁夏医科大学/Ningxia Medical University
• 213. 齐齐哈尔大学/Qiqihar University
• 214. 青岛大学/Qingdao University
• 215. 青岛科技大学/Qingdao University of Science and Technology
• 216. 青海大学/Qinghai University
• 217. 青海民族大学/Qinghai Nationalities University
• 218. 三峡大学/China Three Gorges University
• 219. 厦门理工学院/Xiamen University of Technology
• 220. 山东科技大学/Shandong University of Science and Technology
• 221. 山东理工大学/Shandong University of Technology
• 222. 山东师范大学/Shandong Normal University
• 223. 山西大学/Shanxi University
• 224. 山西中医药大学/Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine
• 225. 陕西中医药大学/Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine
• 226. 汕头大学/Shantou University
• 227. 上海大学/Shanghai University
• 228. 上海对外经贸大学/Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
• 229. 上海海事大学/Shanghai Maritime University
• 230. 上海海洋大学/Shanghai Ocean University
• 231. 上海科技大学/ShanghaiTech University
• 232. 上海理工大学/University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
• 233. 上海师范大学/Shanghai Normal University
• 234. 上海体育大学/Shanghai University of Sport
• 235. 上海音乐学院/Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• 236. 上海政法学院/Shanghai University of Political Science and Law
• 237. 上海中医药大学/Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• 238. 沈阳工业大学/Shenyang University of Technology
• 239. 沈阳航空航天大学/Shenyang Aerospace University
• 240. 沈阳建筑大学/Shenyang Jianzhu University
• 241. 沈阳理工大学/Shenyang Ligong University
• 242. 沈阳师范大学/Shenyang Normal University
• 243. 石河子大学/Shihezi University
• 244. 首都经济贸易大学/Capital University of Economics and Business
• 245. 首都师范大学/Capital Normal University
• 246. 首都体育学院/Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
• 247. 首都医科大学/Capital Medical University
• 248. 四川农业大学/Sichuan Agricultural University
• 249. 四川外国语大学/Sichuan International Studies University
• 250. 苏州大学/Soochow University
• 251. 太原理工大学/Taiyuan University of Technology
• 252. 天津财经大学/Tianjin University of Finance and Economics
• 253. 天津工业大学/Tiangong University
• 254. 天津科技大学/Tiangong University (formerly Tianjin University of Science & Technology)
• 255. 天津理工大学/Tianjin University of Technology
• 256. 天津师范大学/Tianjin Normal University
• 257. 天津外国语大学/Tianjin Foreign Studies University
• 258. 天津医科大学/Tianjin Medical University
• 259. 天津职业技术师范大学/Tianjin University of Technology and Education
• 260. 天津中医药大学/Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• 261. 外交学院/China Foreign Affairs University
• 262. 温州大学/Wenzhou University
• 263. 温州医科大学/Wenzhou Medical University
• 264. 武汉纺织大学/Wuhan Textile University
• 265. 武汉体育学院/Wuhan Sports University
• 266. 武夷学院/Wuyi University
• 267. 西安石油大学/Xi’an Shiyou University
• 268. 西安外国语大学/Xi’an International Studies University
• 269. 西北大学/Northwest University
• 270. 西北工业大学/Northwestern Polytechnical University
• 271. 西北师范大学/Northwest Normal University
• 272. 西湖大学/Westlake University
• 273. 西南石油大学/Southwest Petroleum University
• 274. 西南政法大学/Southwest University of Political Science and Law
• 275. 西藏大学/Tibet University
• 276. 湘潭大学/Xiangtan University
• 277. 新疆大学/Xinjiang University
• 278. 新疆师范大学/Xinjiang Normal University
• 279. 新疆医科大学/Xinjiang Medical University
• 280. 烟台大学/Yantai University
• 281. 延边大学/Yanbian University
• 282. 燕山大学/Yanshan University
• 283. 扬州大学/Yangzhou University
• 284. 云南财经大学/Yunnan University of Finance and Economics
• 285. 云南大学/Yunnan University
• 286. 云南民族大学/Yunnan Minzu University
• 287. 云南农业大学/Yunnan Agricultural University
• 288. 云南师范大学/Yunnan Normal University
• 289. 浙江工商大学/Zhejiang Gongshang University
• 290. 浙江工业大学/Zhejiang University of Technology
• 291. 浙江海洋大学/Zhejiang Ocean University
• 292. 浙江警察学院/Zhejiang Police College
• 293. 浙江科技大学/Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
• 294. 浙江理工大学/Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
• 295. 浙江师范大学/Zhejiang Normal University
• 296. 郑州大学/Zhengzhou University
• 297. 中国科学技术大学/University of Science and Technology of China
• 298. 中国科学院大学/University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
• 299. 中国美术学院/China Academy of Art
• 300. 中国农业科学院研究生院/Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• 301. 中国青年政治学院/China Youth University of Political Studies
• 302. 中国人民公安大学/People’s Public Security University of China
• 303. 中国刑事警察学院/National Police University of China (formerly Criminal Investigation Police University of China)
• 304. 中国医科大学/China Medical University
• 305. 中国音乐学院/China Conservatory of Music
• 306. 中央民族大学/Minzu University of China

Most students who apply for bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs through BON WAY are admitted to Category 1 universities within the top 150, including world-renowned institutions such as Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Beihang University (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics).