CSCA Past Paper Questions
Applying to Chinese Universities in 2027 or Beyond?
Preparing for the CSCA is only one part of a competitive university application. Depending on your chosen institution and programme, you may also need to consider academic qualifications, university-specific assessments, application essays, interviews and scholarship requirements.
Meridian Education supports international students applying to leading universities across China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. Our personalised guidance covers university selection, application strategy, CSCA preparation and interview training.
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The CSCA was introduced in the 2025/ 2026 admissions cycle and comprises two major components.
1. Professional Chinese Test (专业中文) — 90 minutes, 80 questions
Applicants for Chinese-taught programmes take the Professional Chinese Test corresponding to their intended major category: Humanities Chinese(文科中文) or STEM Chinese (理科中文). This includes basic technical terms and is roughly equivalent to HSK 3-5 difficulty. If you have a valid HSK Level 4 score, you may be exempt from this test. Applicants to English-taught programmes do not need to take this test.
2. Fundamental Subject Test — 60 minutes, 48 questions per subject
Fundamental Subject Tests are available in both English and Chinese, therefore students applying to both English-taught and Chinese-taught programmes will be required to take it. Please note that you are likely not required to take all three Fundamental Subject Tests, so please check individual course websites for specifics. Mathematics is usually compulsory for all programmes. Physics and Chemistry are usually optional, with requirements varying by university and programme.
Read our guide on how to prepare for the CSCA and a breakdown of past paper topics.
You might also be interested in English-taught degrees in China.
CSCA Syllabus & Specification
Fundamental Subject Tests
Mathematics Specification (English version)
Physics Specification (English version)
Chemistry Specification (English version)
Professional Chinese Tests （专业中文）
Sources: CSCA syllabi (English versions) are translated from the CSCA official website.
CSCA Past Paper Questions 2025-2026
Official past paper questions are not publicly released. The past paper resources here were compiled and reconstructed based on questions recalled by students who sat the examination. Additional mock and sample tests can be found here.
Physics CSCA (Chinese) - Dec 2025
Not Sure Which Chinese Universities to Apply To?
Admissions requirements can differ significantly between universities, even for similar degree subjects. A student applying for Economics at Fudan may face different assessments and academic expectations from someone applying for Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong or Tsinghua.
Meridian Education helps international students develop a coherent university shortlist, understand programme-specific requirements and prepare their applications.
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