Pre-exam day check
On the day before the exam, go through the items to bring and the tasks to complete one by one; this can help reduce nervousness. Please check each item against the checklist below.
- Printed admission ticket: Print it in advance. For the Computer-based Test, an electronic version of the admission ticket on a mobile phone may not be used.
- Original passport: It must be within its validity period, and the information on the passport must match the admission ticket.
- Items to bring for the Computer-based Test: Bring a black signature pen. No other items may be brought into the examination room, including mobile phones, watches, calculators, books, bags, food and drinks.
- Materials to prepare for the Home-based Test: According to the exam requirements, prepare a computer, a secondary camera device, and a small whiteboard, or a transparent document bag plus an erasable whiteboard marker.
Computer-based Test: from entry to submission
The following explains the process on the day of the Computer-based Test in chronological order. Candidates taking a computer-based test for the first time can read it in advance to become familiar with each step.
- Arrive at the test site: Arrive at the test site at least 40 minutes early. No entry is allowed after the exam starts, so please allow enough travel time.
- Sign in and enter: Show your passport and admission ticket to the staff, sign in according to the system requirements (face recognition is preferred), and then take a seat as directed.
- Seat check: Place your passport and admission ticket in the upper left corner of the desk. After sitting down, check the screen, keyboard and mouse; if there are any problems, raise your hand.
- Log in to the system: Log in using your admission ticket number and password, and read and confirm the "Examination Integrity Commitment Letter".
- Start answering: After the countdown ends, enter the full-screen answering interface and answer with the mouse; the system saves automatically.
- Check progress: When the question number on the left turns green, it means the question has been answered. Within the exam time, you can return to modify answers.
- Scratch paper and restroom: Scratch paper is distributed by the test site and collected after the exam. If you need to use the restroom, you must be accompanied by staff.
- Equipment problems: If the computer freezes, shows a white screen, or goes offline, raise your hand and wait for staff to handle it; do not restart it yourself. Answering progress will be retained, and extra time will be added according to the interruption time.
- Submit and leave: When time is up, the system automatically collects the test; you cannot submit early. After staff collect the scratch paper, please leave in an orderly manner.
Parents can help their children check documents and items together before the exam, remind them to leave early on the exam day, and cooperate with staff according to the process.
The following explains each step of the CSCA Home-based Test, from login to submission, in chronological order, for students preparing for undergraduate study in China and their parents.
Home-based Test: from login to submission
The Home-based Test is taken at home, but the process is as strict as at a test site, and every step has a time requirement. It is a good idea to go through the steps below with your family in advance.
- Login opens 60 minutes before the exam starts, and device testing, face recognition and identity verification must all be completed 15 minutes before the exam starts. Do not wait until the last moment to switch on the computer.
- Open the exam client, select the language, and complete the system and network tests.
- Enter your admission ticket number and password to log in, then complete face recognition.
- Scan the QR code on the screen to connect the secondary camera device.
- Show your documents, pan the camera 360 degrees around the room, and present blank scratch tools as required by the invigilator; then read and confirm the exam rules.
- Answering works the same way as in the Computer-based Test: answer with the mouse, answers are saved automatically, and a question number turning green means the question has been answered.
- If a problem occurs midway, first use the "Call Invigilator" button on the secondary device. If the secondary device goes offline too, you can restart the device and log in again.
- The test is submitted automatically when time is up. Exit only after you see "Submission successful"; erase your scratch work on the spot as required by the invigilator; and wait until scores are published before deleting client files.
Step 8 is the easiest to overlook: do not turn off the computer before submission is successful, erase your scratch work on the spot, and do not rush to delete client files.
Consequences of violations are serious
A Home-based Test does not mean the requirements can be relaxed. The measures listed on the official website include cancelling the score for that test, being barred from registering for two years, and cancelling all historical scores; in serious cases, a lifetime ban from the exam, or even referral to the judicial authorities.
So please remember three things:
- Do not bring a mobile phone
- Do not ask someone to help you
- Do not record or spread exam questions
Three small suggestions
- Before submitting, check the question numbers on the left to confirm they have all turned green
- In normal practice, work at the pace of 60 minutes for 48 questions, averaging 75 seconds per question
- Do a complete timed mock exam before the test to get used to sitting for a full 60 minutes
If you want to try the 60-minute pace first, you can use CSCA.PRO's diagnostic and mock exams.