CSCA Exam Guide for Undergraduate Applicants

The CSCA is designed specifically for non-Chinese citizens planning to apply for undergraduate programs at universities in Mainland China. Individuals holding Chinese passports or residence permits for Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan are not eligible to register.

There is no general age limit. The official computer-based testing FAQ says candidates under 14 need parental consent and assistance, while the official home-based testing FAQ currently sets that threshold at under 18. Follow the rule published for your test format and confirm any uncertainty with CSCA before registering.

Candidates must create an account on the official CSCA website, complete all required information, and pay the test fee. Registration is considered complete once the candidate receives a confirmation email.

We recommend preparing the following materials and information in advance: • A valid and long-term accessible email address (for receiving confirmations and notifications) • A valid identification document; for specific requirements, please visit www.csca.cn. • A digital ID photo; for specific requirements, please visit www.csca.cn. • Bank card information; for specific requirements, please visit www.csca.cn.

The passport is the only acceptable form of identification. If your passport is about to expire, please renew it as soon as possible. You must present an original, valid passport on the test day. Expired or photocopied passports will not be accepted, and you will not be allowed to take the exam.

Your subject choices should depend primarily on the requirements of your intended universities and programs. We recommend reviewing the admission guidelines of your target institutions to understand their specific subject recommendations or CSCA requirements.

There is currently no limit on the number of subjects per session. Candidates are advised to select subjects reasonably, based on their preparation and target university requirements.

Yes. For foundational subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), you may choose either Chinese or English for each subject. Professional Chinese subjects are offered in Chinese only. Candidates shall take the test in the language required by their target institution. Where no requirement is specified, they may choose at their discretion.

Once submitted, registration information is locked and cannot be modified by the candidate. If corrections are necessary, a modification request must be submitted before the Admission Ticket is generated. No changes can be made once the ticket has been issued.

Candidates must submit a formal application no less than 30 days prior to the exam date and provide relevant supporting documents. Specific procedures can be found in the “Special Accommodations”. If accommodations cannot be provided due to limitations, candidates may choose to cancel their registration and receive a full refund.

Only withdrawals are accepted for CSCA; test transfers are not permitted. Candidates must submit a withdrawal request before the Admission Ticket is generated. Requests made after the ticket has been generated will not be accepted.

Yes. The CSCA places no restriction on the number of attempts. Each score is valid for two years. Candidates may submit their best valid score when applying, subject to the policies of the receiving institution.

Admission Tickets will be available for download in the registration system before the test. Candidates will also receive an email notification when the download option becomes available.

The Admission Ticket contains the candidate's name, gender, nationality, ticket number, ID type and number, test date and subjects, test center name and address, seat number, and test-day instructions.

Admission Ticket information cannot be modified after generation. Any discrepancy between your ID and ticket details will result in denied entry. Please double-check all information during registration and verify again after downloading your ticket.

Candidates must arrive at least 40 minutes early. Entry is not allowed after the exam officially starts.

On test day, candidates must bring: 1. CSCA Admission Ticket; 2. a valid original ID document; 3. a black ink pen. See “Exam Rules” for details.

The admission ticket is mandatory for entry. Missing either the paper admission ticket or the original valid ID will result in denial of entry, being marked absent, and forfeiture of the exam fee. Please be diligent to avoid missing the exam due to forgotten documents.

No. Candidates must bring a printed CSCA admission ticket and present it alongside the original valid ID for entry.

Yes. The test center will provide scratch paper, which must be returned entirely after the exam.

If necessary, you must be accompanied by test center staff. Prolonged absence or any misconduct during the break may be treated as a violation.

Immediately raise your hand to alert a proctor. If the interruption is attributable to test-center equipment, network, or system failure, the proctor will assist with restarting the workstation or relocating you to another seat. Your progress is saved automatically, and compensatory time may be granted to reflect the verified interruption (based on system logs and proctor verification). If the issue results from candidate error (e.g., unplugging cables, closing the test window, ignoring proctor instructions), no additional time will be provided. Do not troubleshoot on your own, restart the computer, or leave your seat without permission.

No. All candidates must complete the exam within the allotted time; the system will collectively submit answers at the end. Leaving early or exiting without permission is considered a violation, except in cases of sudden health or emergency situations approved by the chief examiner.

Candidates must prepare a compliant primary device (computer) and a secondary device (smartphone or tablet). The RHT requires dual-device monitoring: the primary device is used for answering questions and front-facing monitoring, while the secondary device—positioned at a 45° rear-side angle—captures the entire test session. Please refer to the Device and Network Requirements section for detailed specifications.

The RHT requires a symmetrical upload/download bandwidth of at least 20 Mbps, and a connection speed to the test system of at least 500 KB/s. A wired broadband connection is strongly recommended. Close all non-essential software and background processes on Test Day. Candidates can use the built-in speed test feature in the Test Client to verify connection quality, and should prepare a backup 4G mobile hotspot in case of network disruption.

Candidates must take the RHT in an independent, quiet, and well-lit enclosed room, using a clean and organized desk. Taking the test on a bed, sofa, or any non-standard surface is prohibited. See Test Environment Setup section for detailed requirements.

Traditional paper scratch sheets, sticky notes, or any other paper-based materials are not allowed. However, candidates may use one of the following approved scratch tools: • A small whiteboard with an erasable marker; or • A blank sheet of paper placed inside a transparent file bag, using an erasable marker on the bag surface.

The primary device (computer) must have the official CSCA Test Client installed. The secondary device (phone or tablet) must have the designated monitoring app installed. Installation guides and download links will be provided via the CSCA registration system and the candidate's registered email. Please complete installation in advance.

If you experience installation problems: • Self-check: Review the official operation guide and troubleshooting instructions. • Seek support: If the issue persists, you may join a technical support session during the platform testing period for one-on-one assistance, or submit screenshots of the issue via official support channels.

Yes. All test takers must complete the following pre-test checks as required: • Equipment and Software Check: Checks whether your device, network, and system environment meet the test requirements. • Home-based Proctored Mock Tests: Simulates the complete official test process and helps you become familiar with the test procedures and identify potential issues before test day. Failure to complete the required pre-test checks may result in being unable to participate in or complete the official test on test day. Any resulting consequences shall be borne by the test taker, and the test fee will not be refunded.

Candidates may log in up to 60 minutes before the test begins to complete device checks, facial recognition, and identity verification. Entry is not permitted after the test officially starts.

Candidates must have the following items ready: • A valid original ID document • A printed Admission Ticket • A small whiteboard or a blank sheet inside a transparent file bag, and an erasable marker Refer to Test Environment Setup for detailed requirements.

The Admission Ticket contains login credentials, and the ID document is required for verification. Without either, you cannot access the test system. In both cases, the candidate will be marked as absent, and no refund will be issued. Please prepare these items in advance to avoid missing the test.

The official home-based testing FAQ currently shows an answer that does not address this question. Bring the original valid ID document listed in the test-day requirements, and confirm any exception directly with CSCA before test day.

Candidates can contact the proctor through the Test Client or monitoring app for assistance. The technical support team and proctors will provide remote troubleshooting help.

No. All candidates must complete the test within the allotted time. The system will automatically submit responses when time expires. Early submission or leaving without authorization will be considered a violation, except in approved medical or emergency cases.

Results will be released within 10 business days after the end of each test session. If there are delays due to special circumstances, a notice will be posted on the official website.

Once results are released, candidates can log into the official CSCA registration system to download the electronic score report. This e-report is an official and valid document recognized by all institutions accepting CSCA results. No additional score-sending request is required; candidates can submit it directly to their application institutions.

Universities recognizing CSCA results can verify the authenticity of score reports via the official system and view the candidate's global percentile ranking. This ranking helps admissions officers assess applicants' academic competitiveness globally and make comprehensive evaluations based on institutional standards.