What is the CSCA test?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a test that bachelor's applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship must take. The scholarship guide requires them to register for it and take it before the application deadline, and to upload a valid score report. The required subjects depend on the major, and the target university tells the applicant which subjects to take.
What the scholarship guide requires
Section IV, item 7 of the guide makes the CSCA an eligibility condition for bachelor program applicants. The applicant must take the test and upload a valid score report.
Section VI, item 6 sets the timing. The applicant must register for the CSCA and take it before the application deadline, and must obtain a valid Score Report.
These are conditions of the Chinese Government Scholarship, as the guide sets them out. They are not stated in the guide as conditions for every application to a Chinese university.
Which subjects to take
Section VI, item 6 tells the applicant to contact the target institution to ask which test subjects the applied major requires and to obtain that information. The guide mentions the CSCA only in Section IV, item 7 and Section VI, item 6, and it does not list the subjects.
Where to check the rest
Section IV, item 7 and section VI, item 6 give no test dates, fees, test format or pass mark.
Section IV, item 7 gives the CSCA's official website as www.csca.cn. This page does not draw on that site. For dates, fees, format and score requirements, check the CSCA website or ask the target university. Section VII of the guide lists the Chinese Scholarship Council admission contacts by region.
Related questions
Does the CSCA requirement apply to master's applicants?
Section IV, item 7 sets the CSCA requirement for bachelor program applicants. For Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programs, section IV, item 10 requires HSK Level 4.
What language certificate does a Chinese-taught master's applicant need to upload?
Section VI, item 5 requires a valid HSK score report that meets the Chinese language proficiency requirement for the program. Section IV, item 10 sets that requirement at HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programs.
Does an applicant under 18 need to submit anything extra?
Section VI, item 11 requires an applicant under 18 to submit the legal documents of his or her legal guardian or guardians in China.
Sources
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China)
Checked 10 October 2026
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