It is primarily tied to international bachelor's admissions.
ECAP Guide · 2027 Admission
CSCA Exam for Studying in China: Subjects, Registration & Preparation
A practical guide for Moroccan students to understand the CSCA, possible subjects, schedule, fees and how to fit it into a Chinese university application plan.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · CSCA requirements vary by university and program, so always confirm the current rules of your target institution.
CSCA · 2027CSCA is becoming an important part of international undergraduate admission
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Quick answer
CSCA is becoming an important part of international undergraduate admission
From the 2026/2027 cycle, many Chinese universities have incorporated CSCA into undergraduate applications. The required subjects and score deadline are not identical everywhere: mathematics appears as a core requirement in several current guides, while Professional Chinese, Physics and Chemistry depend on teaching language, major and university policy.
01 / Definition
What is the CSCA?
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment is a standardized test for international students planning undergraduate study in China. Universities can use it alongside the rest of the application to assess academic and language readiness.
A score does not replace diplomas, transcripts or other required documents.
Universities and programs may set different subject and timing requirements.
Select subjects only after confirming your target programs.
02 / Subjects
What subjects are included in CSCA?
Current university guidance repeatedly lists Professional Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Professional Chinese has Humanities and STEM versions.
For Chinese-taught programs, with track depending on the field.
A mandatory subject in several current university CSCA guides.
May be required for science, engineering or related majors.
May be required or selected depending on the science pathway.
03 / Test language
English-taught and Chinese-taught programs do not use CSCA in exactly the same way
Published university guidance says applicants to fully English-taught undergraduate programs can be exempt from Professional Chinese, while Mathematics and any science subjects remain subject to the program's rules.
- Professional Chinese is tested in Chinese.
- Math, Physics and Chemistry are offered in Chinese or English in published guidance.
- Choose the paper language according to your target program's instructions.
- An English-taught program does not automatically mean full CSCA exemption.
04 / Schedule
Do not wait until the university deadline
The published operating cycle has five sessions each year: January, March, April, June and December. A university can still set its own deadline for receiving your score.
January
March
April
June
December
Check exact dates and registration on csca.cn
05 / Format & fees
Understand the test format before preparing
Current university guidance describes CSCA as initially operating mainly as a remote home-based exam, with onsite test centers expanding gradually. University pages also publish summaries of duration, fees and result timing.
60 minutes per subject in CUMT's published summary.
90 minutes in the published summary.
RMB 450 for one subject and RMB 700 for two or more in CUMT's guide.
Online/computer-based results are published faster than paper-based results in current guidance.
06 / Official examples
Your university decides how the CSCA score fits into admission
That is why there is no single ECAP rule for all of China. Current 2027 examples show different submission requirements and deadlines.
Nanjing University · 2027
Nanjing University lists a CSCA score report among international undergraduate application materials and publishes five annual sessions. Its 2027 guide also sets May 15 as the score submission deadline.
Shanghai Jiao Tong · 2027
For some international undergraduate pathways at SJTU, a CSCA score including Mathematics is required. Some applicants may begin review with other standardized tests and provide CSCA later under the program rules, with a published deadline of June 30, 2027 in certain pathways.
07 / Preparation plan
Start from your target major, not from a generic subject list
Choose realistic universities and programs first, then build one table showing the exact CSCA subjects required by each option.
- Choose 3–6 realistic target programs.
- List the CSCA subjects for each program.
- Confirm the required test language.
- Take an early session so you retain a retake option.
- Prepare the rest of the application in parallel.
- Map CSCA timing against university and scholarship deadlines.
08 / Common mistakes
Mistakes that can delay an application
Because CSCA is relatively new, the biggest risk is using generic information instead of the current rules of the target university.
Assuming every university requires the same subjects.
Choosing the wrong test language.
Registering too close to the university deadline.
Confusing HSK with CSCA Professional Chinese.
Using old posts instead of csca.cn and the current admission guide.
Focusing on CSCA while neglecting the rest of the application.
How ECAP helps
We turn CSCA from a vague requirement into a clear part of your application plan
We start with your target major and realistic universities, identify the relevant subjects and dates, and connect them to your documents, scholarships and application timeline.
✓ University + major matching
✓ CSCA subject mapping
✓ Deadline planning
✓ Admission file organization
✓ Scholarship coordination
✓ No ECAP service fee before admission
Frequently asked questions
What Moroccan students ask about CSCA
Direct answers that separate general exam information from university-specific decisions.
Is CSCA required for every student who wants to study in China?
It has become an important requirement in many international undergraduate admissions since 2026/2027, but implementation, subjects and deadlines vary by university and program. Always verify your target institution.
Is Mathematics mandatory?
Mathematics is listed as mandatory in several published CSCA guides, including CUMT's general guidance, and is also required in current examples such as certain SJTU pathways. Confirm your exact program.
Do I need Professional Chinese for an English-taught program?
Published guidance says fully English-taught undergraduate programs may be exempt from Professional Chinese, but other required CSCA subjects can still apply.
How often is CSCA held?
The published cycle since 2026 includes five sessions: January, March, April, June and December. Check the official CSCA site for exact dates.
How much does CSCA cost?
CUMT currently publishes RMB 450 for one subject and RMB 700 for two or more as a fee example. Confirm the official fee before payment.
Can I apply before I have a CSCA score?
It depends on the university. Some SJTU 2027 pathways allow initial review using other tests and require CSCA later before final admission.
Is CSCA the same as HSK?
No. HSK is a Chinese-language proficiency test; CSCA assesses academic readiness and can include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Professional Chinese.
When should I take it?
Choose a session comfortably before your university deadline, ideally leaving time for another session if you need a retake.
Can ECAP guarantee a score?
No. Exam results cannot be guaranteed. ECAP helps you understand requirements and organize the application and test timeline.
When do I pay ECAP?
ECAP does not charge its service fee before admission. University or examination fees are separate and explained clearly.
Official sources
Check CSCA at the source before registering
Because the exam is relatively new and university rules continue to evolve, use the official CSCA site and your target university's admission page as primary references.
Next step
Share your profile so we can check whether CSCA applies to your route
Tell us your current education, target major, teaching language and universities so we can work from the actual requirements rather than guessing.
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