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Next exam on November 14 – 15, 2026:

CSCA Chinese (Academic Chinese)

Academic Chinese is the language paper of the CSCA — and for most international undergraduate applicants to Chinese universities, it's compulsory. It comes in two tracks (Humanities Chinese and STEM Chinese), each about 80 questions in 90 minutes. Below: what it is, which track you sit, and free, fully-solved real mock papers you can read through.

What the CSCA Chinese subject tests

It measures your ability to read and understand academic Chinese — the kind of language you meet in university study — rather than everyday conversation. Which track you take depends on your degree: humanities/arts applicants sit Humanities Chinese; science and engineering applicants sit STEM Chinese. (It is separate from HSK; an English-taught programme may not need HSK to apply, but the CSCA Chinese paper is part of the admission test.)

Humanities Chinese vs STEM Chinese — which one?

Humanities Chinese (文科中文)

For applicants to humanities, arts, social-science, law, business and language programmes. Texts and questions lean toward humanities reading.

STEM Chinese (理科中文)

For applicants to science, engineering, medicine and other STEM programmes. Texts and questions lean toward scientific/technical reading.

Free real-mock walkthroughs

Full mock papers with every question answered and explained — free to read. Want to sit one timed and graded, with your score and wrong answers saved? Open the interactive version from the walkthrough.

Humanities Chinese (文科中文)

STEM Chinese (理科中文)

Prepare for Humanities Chinese

Review the question types, start with polyphonic characters, then apply what you learn in full Humanities Chinese papers.

Humanities Chinese study guide and practice

Frequently asked questions

Is the CSCA Chinese paper compulsory?

For most international undergraduate applicants to Chinese universities, yes — Academic Chinese is the language component of the CSCA admission test, taken in either the Humanities or STEM track depending on your degree.

What is the difference between Humanities Chinese and STEM Chinese?

Both test academic-Chinese reading, but the texts differ: Humanities Chinese leans toward humanities/social-science material, STEM Chinese toward scientific and technical material. You sit the one that matches your intended major.

Is the CSCA Chinese paper the same as HSK?

No. HSK is a general Chinese proficiency test; the CSCA Chinese paper is the academic-Chinese component of the university admission test. An English-taught programme may not require HSK to apply, but the CSCA paper is still part of the entrance assessment.

How long is the CSCA Chinese paper?

The mock papers here run about 80 questions in 90 minutes. Confirm the exact format for your sitting in the official guidance.