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How to Prepare for the CSCA Exam
Oct,12 2026
To prepare for the CSCA exam, you should first choose the right subjects for your target programme, then follow a structured study plan of about 8 to 12 weeks: learn the exam format, build your vocabulary for Professional Chinese, practise mathematics, physics or chemistry in English if needed, and take timed mock tests before the exam day. This guide has explained how to prepare for the CSCA exam step by step, based on the official exam information published by the China Scholarship Council and the Shanghai municipal government.
Step 1: Choose your CSCA subjects before you start
Preparation for the CSCA exam has begun with one decision: which subjects you need. According to the official CSCA information, universities have published a subject list for each major. Science, engineering and medical programmes have usually required Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, while Chinese-taught programmes have required the Professional Chinese examination.
You should confirm your subject combination on the admission page of your target university before you register, because the combination that you choose at registration cannot be changed later. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry have been available in both Chinese and English, so you should choose the language in which you can work faster.
Step 2: Learn the CSCA exam format
According to the official guide published by the Shanghai municipal government, the CSCA exam format has been:
Professional Chinese (Humanities Chinese or Science Chinese): 90 minutes, 80 multiple-choice questions
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry: 60 minutes each, 48 multiple-choice questions
Every subject has been scored from 0 to 100. The CSCA exam has been held mainly as an online, home-based test with a remote proctor, while physical test centres have opened step by step in some countries. Knowing the format has helped students prepare for the CSCA exam with the right timing and tools.
Step 3: Prepare for Professional Chinese
The Professional Chinese paper has been the longest part of the CSCA exam, and for many international students it has also been the hardest. Preparation has usually focused on:
Academic vocabulary for the humanities or sciences, depending on your track
Reading speed: the paper has given students a little more than one minute per question
Grammar patterns that have appeared in academic texts
Students who have studied Chinese for two years or more have usually found this paper manageable with steady vocabulary work.
Step 4: Prepare for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
For the science subjects, preparation for the CSCA exam has mostly been a review of the high school curriculum. Because the papers have been available in English, you have not needed strong Chinese to do well.
The most effective approach has been:
Review the core topics of each subject at high school level.
Practise multiple-choice questions under a 60-minute limit.
Learn to skip questions that take too long and return to them later.
Step 5: Take mock tests under real conditions
Because the CSCA exam has been proctored online, you should practise under similar conditions: a quiet room, a stable internet connection, a working camera and the same ID document that you will use on the exam day. According to the official exam guide, candidates have needed a valid ID, a recent photo and a device that meets the system requirements.
In the last two weeks before your session, aim for at least two or three full mock exams at the same time of day as the real exam, because the four subjects have been held one after another in Beijing Time.
Step 6: Register and plan backwards from your application
Remember that your CSCA result supports your wider plan to study in China, so register for the exam session that leaves enough time before your university deadline.
Registration for the CSCA exam has opened on the official website about one to two months before each session, and windows have been short. The exam fee has been CNY 450 for one subject and CNY 700 for two or more. Results have been released within about 7 working days for online tests, so you should choose a session that leaves enough time to receive your score report before your university application deadline.
Official sources
This article has been based on the official CSCA information published by the China Scholarship Council, the official CSCA guide of the Shanghai municipal government, and notices published by Chinese embassies. Exam formats, fees and schedules have been updated each cycle. The content has been last updated in October 2026 — please confirm the latest details on the official CSCA website before you register.
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SICAS (Study In China Admission System) is a platform for international students who are interested in studying in China. It provides information on Chinese universities, degree programmes, scholarships and admission requirements, helping students explore study opportunities across China.
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