If you plan to apply for an undergraduate programme in China in 2027, you may need to take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) before submitting your application. However, CSCA requirements are not identical across all Chinese universities or programmes. The required subjects, test language and whether a valid CSCA score is mandatory depend on the university, programme and admission route.
For the 2026/27 academic year, several Chinese universities have explicitly introduced CSCA requirements for international undergraduate applicants. For Pakistani students planning to start an undergraduate degree in China in 2027, the safest approach is to identify the exact university and programme first, then confirm its latest CSCA requirements before registering for the examination.
Not sure which CSCA subjects your target Chinese university requires? NuoChi Education can help you compare your shortlisted programmes, identify the relevant CSCA requirements and plan your China application.
What Is the CSCA?
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a standardised assessment for international students planning to study for an undergraduate degree in China. The examination assesses academic and language-related competencies and can be used by universities as part of undergraduate admission and scholarship assessment.
The CSCA assesses academic and language-related competencies through subject-specific assessments. The subjects required depend on the university and programme. For example, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are available in Chinese or English. Professional Chinese is a separate language-related assessment with its own categories and requirements.
The CSCA is sometimes compared with standardised university-entry assessments such as the SAT because both provide an additional academic measure. However, the examinations are not equivalent and serve different admission systems.
For the 2027 intake, applicants should check the latest requirements published by their target university rather than assuming that the 2026/27 rules will remain unchanged.
What Subjects Does the CSCA Cover?
The CSCA does not require every applicant to take all four assessment areas.
The subjects you need depend on your university, programme and admission route.
The official CSCA information currently lists:
| CSCA subject | Available test language | General role |
| Professional Chinese | Chinese | Required for some Chinese-taught programmes and according to university requirements |
| Mathematics | Chinese or English | Required by many undergraduate admission routes |
| Physics | Chinese or English | May be required for science, engineering, agriculture or medicine programmes |
| Chemistry | Chinese or English | May be required for science, engineering, agriculture or medicine programmes |
The official CSCA guidance states that applicants should select subjects according to the requirements of the university and programme they are applying to.
For example, Xiamen University’s 2026 international undergraduate admission requirements state that Mathematics is compulsory. For applicants to science, engineering, agriculture and medicine categories, Physics and Chemistry are listed as optional subject choices, with applicants required to take one or both according to the programme requirements. The university also states that the test language should match the programme’s teaching language.
Zhejiang University provides another example. Its 2026 undergraduate admission guidance states that international undergraduate applicants must provide a valid CSCA report and that applicants to its programmes must take Mathematics and Chemistry in English.
These examples demonstrate why applicants should not choose CSCA subjects based on a general China-wide assumption.
Who Needs to Take the CSCA?
There is no single subject combination or admission rule that applies to every international undergraduate applicant in China.
CSCA requirements can depend on:
- The university
- The undergraduate programme
- The teaching language
- The admission route
- Whether the applicant is applying through a scholarship route
- The academic year and university’s current admission notice
The official CSCA information identifies CSCA results as part of the admission and scholarship assessment process used by participating Chinese universities. Individual universities then publish their own requirements.
For example, Zhejiang University’s international undergraduate admissions guidance states that, from the 2026/27 academic year, international applicants for undergraduate programmes must provide a valid CSCA report.
Xiamen University also requires a CSCA score report in its 2026 international undergraduate admission requirements.
CSCA requirements may also apply to MBBS applicants, particularly where universities specify Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry as part of their admission requirements. The exact combination should be confirmed from the programme’s current admission notice.
For example, Xiamen University’s 2026 undergraduate requirements state that Mathematics is compulsory and that applicants in medicine and other science-related categories must select Physics and/or Chemistry according to the applicable requirements.
Other universities can set different combinations. Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, for example, states in its 2026 English-taught MBBS admission notice that applicants must provide a CSCA score report with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
The important point is simple: check the exact MBBS programme before registering for CSCA.
CSCA Exam Schedule and Fees
For 2026, the official CSCA information lists five examination periods: January, March, April, June and December. Zhejiang University also refers to five regular testing periods from 2026.
Applicants planning to start university in 2027 should check the official CSCA examination calendar when the 2027 schedule is published.
What is confirmed for 2026?
The official CSCA information currently states:
- Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are available in Chinese or English.
- The initial testing model focused on home-based online testing, with offline testing being expanded.
- One subject costs RMB 450.
- Two or more subjects cost RMB 700.
Result-release timing can depend on the examination format. Applicants should check the official notice for their chosen session.
Moreover, the 2027 CSCA examination calendar should be treated as unconfirmed until officially published. For 2027 schedules:
- Identify your target university and programme.
- Confirm the required CSCA subjects.
- Check the official CSCA examination calendar.
- Select a test session that allows enough time for your score to be available before the university’s application deadline.
How CSCA Affects MBBS Applicants
Medical programmes often have more specific CSCA subject requirements. The examples below illustrate how those requirements can differ between universities.
However, CSCA results are also not the only part of an undergraduate application. Universities may consider academic transcripts, language proficiency and other application materials alongside the CSCA score.
University Requirements Comparison
The following examples show how CSCA requirements can differ between universities and programmes.
| University / Programme | CSCA requirement stated by university | Test language | Information status |
| Xiamen University – International Undergraduate Programmes | Mathematics compulsory; Physics and/or Chemistry for science, engineering, agriculture and medicine categories according to programme requirements | Test language should match teaching language | 2026 official admission information |
| Zhejiang University–University of Edinburgh Institute | Mathematics + Chemistry for its programmes | English | 2026 official admission information |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine – English-taught MBBS | Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry | Check official programme requirements | 2026 official admission information |
| Other Chinese universities | Varies by university and programme | Varies | Check the latest official admission notice |
However, you should verify the exact programme requirements before selecting your subjects.
CSCA Test Dates for 2027: What Applicants Should Know
The 2026 CSCA schedule provides useful planning information, but it should not be treated as the confirmed 2027 examination calendar.
For 2027 applicants, the timeline should therefore be treated as a planning framework rather than a confirmed schedule.
- September–October 2026
Shortlist universities and programmes and check their latest CSCA requirements.
- When the 2027 CSCA calendar is published
Confirm available examination sessions and registration deadlines through the official CSCA website.
- Before your chosen CSCA session
Prepare for the subjects required by your target university and programme.
- After receiving your score
Prepare and finalise the remaining university admission documents.
- Before the university’s application deadline
Submit your application with the required CSCA score and supporting documents.
- September 2027
Many Chinese universities begin their autumn academic year around this period, but the exact registration date depends on the university.
What Pakistani Students Should Do Before Registering for CSCA
Pakistani students planning undergraduate study in China should follow this order:
- Shortlist your universities.
- Choose your exact undergraduate programme.
- Check whether CSCA is required.
- Confirm the exact CSCA subjects.
- Check the required test language.
- Check whether the university requires the score before application.
- Check the university’s application deadline.
- Choose a CSCA session that leaves enough time for your result to be issued.
This approach can help prevent a common problem: taking the wrong CSCA subject and discovering later that your target university requires a different combination.
CSCA Preparation Checklist
Before taking the CSCA, make sure you have:
- Confirmed your target university and programme
- Checked whether CSCA is required
- Confirmed the exact subjects required
- Confirmed the required test language
- Checked the university application deadline
- Checked the official CSCA examination calendar
- Registered through the official CSCA website
- Prepared for each required subject
- Reviewed the relevant syllabus and practice materials
- Taken the examination
- Downloaded your score report when released
- Included the CSCA score with your university application where required
FAQs
Do I need to take the CSCA for an English-taught MBBS programme?
Not necessarily in the same way at every university. CSCA requirements and subject combinations are university-specific. For example, Xiamen University includes CSCA requirements in its 2026 international undergraduate admission information, while Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine requires Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for its 2026 English-taught MBBS programme. Always check the latest admission notice for your specific MBBS programme.
Can I prepare for CSCA without taking HSK?
For an English-taught programme, HSK is not automatically required simply because you are taking the CSCA. However, language requirements are set by individual universities and programmes. For example, Xiamen University’s 2026 requirements distinguish between Chinese-medium and English-medium programmes and specify separate language requirements. Do not assume that the absence of an HSK requirement at one university applies to every English-taught programme in China.
Can I take the CSCA more than once?
The CSCA has multiple examination periods. The official information lists five testing periods for 2026. Whether retaking the examination is useful depends on your university deadline and the availability of future test sessions. For a 2027 application, check the official 2027 schedule when it is published.
What is considered a good CSCA score?
There is no single China-wide CSCA score that guarantees admission. The official CSCA information states that results are scored on a 0–100 scale and that universities set their own admission standards according to their requirements. Check your target university’s admission notice for any stated score expectations or minimum requirements.
Where can I register for the CSCA?
Registration and current examination information are available through the official CSCA website, csca.cn. Applicants should use the official examination information when checking dates, subjects, fees and registration requirements.
Is the CSCA difficult?
The difficulty depends on the subjects you need to take and your academic background. Applicants should review the official syllabus and preparation materials for their required subjects and allow enough time for preparation before the selected examination session.
The Bottom Line
The CSCA is becoming an important part of international undergraduate admission at some Chinese universities, but there is no single CSCA requirement that applies identically to every university and programme.
If you are planning to study in China in 2027, do not register for the CSCA until you have confirmed your university’s current requirements. Check whether the test is required, which subjects and test language apply, and when the university needs your score.
For Pakistani students applying for MBBS or other undergraduate programmes, checking these details before registration can prevent unnecessary delays or taking the wrong examination subjects.
NuoChi Education helps Pakistani students understand CSCA requirements, compare suitable Chinese universities and prepare their undergraduate applications.
Planning for the 2027 intake?
Share your academic background and target programme with NuoChi Education to get guidance on CSCA subjects, university requirements and the China application process.