China Introduces a Unified Entrance Examination for International Applicants Starting From 2026
Beginning from 2026, China will introduce a unified national entrance examination for foreign citizens applying to undergraduate programs. This was announced by the Embassy of China in Turkmenistan, citing the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.
The new examination is called the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) and will become a mandatory standard for assessing the academic readiness of international applicants. At the initial stage, starting from 2026, CSCA results will be taken into account for admission to 282 leading Chinese universities. From 2028 onward, the examination will become mandatory for admission to all Chinese universities offering undergraduate programs for international students.
Examination Structure
The CSCA is designed to assess applicants’ proficiency in the Chinese language as well as their basic academic preparation. The examination consists of compulsory and subject-specific components.
A mandatory component for all applicants is an examination in professional Chinese, focused on academic and terminological competence.
Applicants then choose one of the following tracks:
• natural sciences or engineering,
• humanities.
Depending on the chosen track, the examination also includes:
• mathematics (a compulsory subject),
• physics or chemistry — optional.
Format and Schedule
Starting from 2026, the CSCA will be administered five times a year — in January, March, April, June, and December. The examination is planned to be conducted both online and at offline examination centers, which are expected to be established in 20 countries.
Significance of the Examination
The CSCA is a standardized test intended for international students planning to study in China. Its results will be used by universities as a minimum admission criterion and may also be considered in the allocation of scholarships and grants.
Additional information on the examination format and requirements is available on the official CSCA website: https://csca.cn/homehttps://csca.cn/home
