CSCA Exam Fees and Format: Registration, Subjects, and Exam-Day Schedule

September 3, 2026 · CSCA Gateway Team

CSCA Exam Fees & Format: Registration and Subjects

Update, September 27, 2026: csca.cn has released the official CSCA test dates for November 2026 through June 2027 — the full list is in CSCA Exam Dates 2026–2027: December 2026 and All Official Sessions. This article covers the other questions people ask most: fees, subjects, registration, and how exam day runs.

CSCA Sessions Throughout 2026

  • January 25, 2026 — completed
  • March 15, 2026 — completed
  • April 25, 2026 — completed
  • June 27, 2026 — completed
  • November 14–15, 2026 — official; registration October 15–21, 2026
  • December 19–20, 2026 — official; registration dates not yet released

Example Per-Subject Schedule (March 15, 2026 Session)

As an illustration of how a CSCA exam day unfolds, here is the official schedule for the March 15, 2026 home-based online session (Beijing Time, UTC+8 — subtract 1 hour to convert to WIB):

  • Professional Chinese (STEM/Humanities): 12:00–13:30
  • Physics: 15:00–16:00
  • Mathematics: 18:00–19:00
  • Chemistry: 20:30–21:30

From the November 2026 session onward, the test is split across 2 days: Professional Chinese then Mathematics on day one, Physics then Chemistry on day two. Exact start times vary by session, so check the official time for your session on csca.cn when you register.

Before exam day, there's usually an admission-ticket/software download window (about a week before), a system-testing period (camera, microphone, network), and two mandatory mock exams to make sure your equipment is ready for the real thing.

Registration & Fees

Registration is done on the official csca.cn website and opens a few weeks before each test date — for the November 14–15, 2026 session, the registration window is October 15–21, 2026. Only a photo and valid ID are required.

  • Fee for 1 subject: RMB 450
  • Fee for 2 or more subjects: RMB 700
  • Payment methods: Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, Visa, or Mastercard

Which Subjects Are Required?

Mathematics is required for all applicants (available in Chinese or English). For undergraduate Chinese Government Scholarship applicants, Professional Chinese is also required. Physics and Chemistry are conditional — they depend on your target university and major, so check the university’s admission page before registering so you pick the right subjects.

Since two or more subjects cost the same (RMB 700), take everything your major needs in the same session. While you wait for exam day, CSCA-style practice on CSCA Gateway helps you get used to the format and the Mandarin terminology.

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