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The CSCA Explained: What Every Applicant Needs to Know

13 May 20265 min readTrapp

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STUDY IN CHINA · OFFICIAL GUIDE

The CSCA Explained: What Every Applicant Needs to Know

China's brand-new mandatory assessment for international scholarship students broken down simply, subject by subject.

2025 Edition · Based on Official CSC Syllabi · 8 min read

If you are applying for a Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for undergraduate studies, there is a new exam standing between you and your dream university in China the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). Here is everything you need to know, straight from the official 2025 syllabi.

What is the CSCA?

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Trapp

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EduFlare Admissions Team

Updated on

13 May 2026

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24 May 20266 min readApplicationsScholarshipsstudy abroad

Track	Subject	What is covered
Science	Mathematics	Sets, functions, geometry, algebra, probability & statistics. 60 min · 48 MCQ.
Science	Physics	Mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics & modern physics. 60 min · 48 MCQ.
Science	Chemistry	Chemical concepts, reactions, theories & lab experiments. 60 min · 48 MCQ.
Both Tracks	Chinese (Science)	Academic Chinese for STEM: vocabulary, reading comprehension & sentence structures. 90 min.
Arts	Chinese (Arts)	Academic Chinese for humanities: literature, law, history, arts & social sciences. 90 min.

Mathematics \| 60 minutes · 48 Multiple Choice Questions
› Sets: definitions, operations & representation	› Plane analytic geometry: lines, circles, conics
› Inequalities: quadratic & rational	› Vectors & complex number operations
› Functions: domain, range, monotonicity, parity	› Solid geometry in 3D coordinate systems
› Elementary functions: power, exponential, log, trig	› Classical probability models & calculations
› Sequences: arithmetic & geometric, general terms	› Data characteristics: mean & variance
› Derivatives & calculus basics	› Normal distribution basic concepts

⚡ Physics \| 60 minutes · 48 Multiple Choice Questions
› Kinematics: velocity, acceleration, free fall	› Electrostatics: Coulomb's law, electric field
› Newton's laws of motion	› Direct current circuits: Ohm's law
› Momentum, impulse & conservation	› Magnetic fields, Ampere's & Lorentz force
› Work, energy & mechanical energy conservation	› Electromagnetic induction: Faraday's & Lenz's laws
› Circular motion & universal gravitation	› Thermodynamics & ideal gas equations
› Simple harmonic motion & mechanical waves	› Optics, photoelectric effect & nuclear physics

Chemistry \| 60 minutes · 48 Multiple Choice Questions
› Classification & state changes of matter	› Redox reactions & identification
› Chemical notation & equation writing	› Ionic reactions & testing methods
› Solution concentration & pH calculations	› Atomic structure & periodic law
› Mole calculations & ideal gas law	› Chemical bonds & intermolecular forces
› Properties of inorganic substances	› Reaction rate & chemical equilibrium
› Basic organic compounds & derivatives	› Lab safety, gas prep & substance purification

Chinese Proficiency Science Track (理科中文) \| 90 minutes · Multiple Choice · 100 pts
› Chinese Character Recognition (识解汉字)	› Topics: mathematical symbols & formulas
› Vocabulary Fill-in-the-Blank (选词填空)	› Topics: physical laws & chemical equations
› Word Differentiation (辨析词语)	› Topics: lab operation terminology
› Word-to-Paragraph Construction (选词成段)	› Topics: data charts & academic paper reading
› Sentence Completion (补全语句)	› Topics: classroom discussion language
› Reading Comprehension (阅读理解)	› Goal: read STEM textbooks independently in Chinese

The CSCA Explained: What Every Applicant Needs to Know

What is the CSCA?

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Chinese Proficiency Arts Track (文科中文) \| 90 minutes · Multiple Choice · 100 pts
› Chinese Character Recognition (识解汉字)	› Disciplines: literature, philosophy, law, education
› Vocabulary Fill-in-the-Blank (选词填空)	› Disciplines: history, sociology, journalism, arts
› Word Differentiation (辨析词语)	› Disciplines: music, dance, drama & film
› Word-to-Paragraph Construction (选词成段)	› Disciplines: fine arts, design & political science
› Sentence Completion (补全语句)	› Goal: follow first-year arts lectures in Chinese
› Reading Comprehension (阅读理解)	› Goal: extract key ideas from academic texts