China’s Higher Education: Major Changes Ahead for International Students

Several Chinese public universities have confirmed that from the 2026 admission cycle, the results of this exam will be a mandatory part of undergraduate applications. This decision is being called a “game-changer” in China’s higher education system, as it will serve as a single, reliable method to assess international students’ qualifications. In addition, this initiative will further strengthen the “Study in China” brand and ensure fairness and quality in the admission process.

To ensure transparency and quality control in the undergraduate admission process for international students, China has launched the China Scholastic Competence Assessment (CSCA) exam. The exam will be held for the first time on December 21, 2025, marking the first global CSCA test. Earlier, on October 12, 2025, a pilot version of the exam was conducted among first-year students at Chinese government scholarship universities. According to Chinese authorities, from 2026, Chinese public universities especially those admitting students under the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) program will initially require CSCA results, and by 2028, the exam is planned to become gradually mandatory for all students applying to Chinese universities.

 

CSCA Exam Overview

The CSCA (China Scholastic Competence Assessment) exam will include four subjects: Specialized Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. The exam structure will be based on the student’s chosen program:

• Science & Engineering applicants: Chinese, Mathematics, and either Physics or Chemistry depending on the program.

• Business & Humanities applicants: Chinese and Mathematics only.
   

Exam format:

• Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry: Each subject has 48 multiple-choice questions, duration 1 hour.

• Chinese section: 100 questions, duration 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Medium of instruction: Chinese or English. Students in Chinese-taught programs must take the Specialized Chinese test; English-taught program applicants are exempt.

The exam aims to assess academic preparedness and program-specific skills.
 

Mode & schedule:

• First phase will be mainly online, with offline centers in Vietnam and Thailand.

• From 2026, the exam will be held five times a year: January, March, April, June, December.

  • Asia-Pacific students: April, June, December

  • Europe & America: January, March

  • This schedule accommodates different time zones.
     

Fees & registration:

• One subject: 450 CNY

• Two or more subjects: 700 CNY

• Registration starts: November 2025 via the official CSCA website (available in Chinese & English).

• Conducted by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
   

Scoring & results:

• Each subject is scored out of 100 marks.

• Online results: within 7 working days

• Paper-based results: within 14 working days

• Minimum qualifying scores will be announced after the trial run, with each university setting its own admission criteria.

The number of international students in China is rising rapidly, particularly from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Previously, universities faced challenges in assessing students’ qualifications due to differences in educational standards across countries. The introduction of the CSCA (China Scholastic Competence Assessment) aims to make the admission process unified, fair, and transparent, while providing a standardized measure of academic ability for international students, thereby enhancing China’s global educational appeal.
 

Since the CSCA will be mandatory for 2026 applicants, students are advised to plan early:

• Regularly check updates on university websites.

• Verify whether the chosen program requires CSCA scores.

• Understand the program-specific subjects and minimum score requirements.

• Begin preparation several months in advance.
   

Performing well in the CSCA can provide advantages for government scholarships and admission to top-tier universities.

The CSCA is more than just an exam; it is part of China’s strategy to elevate the global standard of its higher education. It ensures that international students are academically prepared and can adapt to China’s education system. The first CSCA exam in December 2025 marks an important milestone. For students aspiring to study in China, now is the time to adapt to this new reality. The CSCA will make the admission process more competitive while improving the quality of student preparation, ushering in a new chapter in China’s international education from the 2026 intake.