How Serious Are the Consequences of a Violation
CSCA does not treat violations lightly. The penalties for Computer-based Tests and for Home-based Tests are not exactly the same, but both are graded according to the severity of the circumstances. In the most serious cases, they can directly affect whether a candidate can continue to come to China to study.
The Computer-based Test follows the "Exam Rules" in the candidate guide and is divided into four levels according to severity:
- Minor circumstances: the candidate's scores for the current exam are cancelled.
- Relatively serious circumstances: the candidate's scores for the current exam are cancelled, and the candidate is prohibited from registering again for two years from the date of the violation.
- Serious circumstances: all historical scores are cancelled, and a lifetime ban on taking the CSCA exam is imposed.
- Especially serious circumstances: the matter may be referred to the judicial authorities to be handled in accordance with the law, and may affect the candidate's qualification to study in China and to apply for a visa.
For the Home-based Test, depending on the severity of the circumstances and the impact caused, one or more of the following measures may be taken:
- Cancel the score for that subject.
- Cancel all scores for that exam.
- Prohibit registration again for two years.
- Cancel all historical scores.
- Notify domestic institutions that have already received the student's CSCA scores of the violation.
- Impose a lifetime ban on taking the exam.
- Refer the matter to the judicial authorities.
It follows that, although the Home-based Test is taken at home, the cost of a violation is just as real as in the Computer-based Test. Pay particular attention to the item about notifying institutions that have received scores: institutions that have already received your CSCA scores may be informed of your violation.
Common Pitfalls in the Computer-based Test
The test-center rules for the Computer-based Test are fairly detailed. Some candidates are not intentionally cheating; they simply fail to pay attention to the rules for a moment and cross the line.
On items:
- Mobile phones, smart watches or bands, Bluetooth earphones, recording or camera equipment, books and materials, notes, calculators, bags, and food and drink are strictly prohibited.
- You may bring only your ID, your admission ticket and a black signature pen. With the test center's approval, unlabeled drinking water may be brought in and placed on the floor.
- Mobile phones must be powered off and stored together with your other personal items in the designated area.
On conduct in the exam room:
- All scratch paper is collected after the exam and may not be taken away.
- You may not leave your seat without permission; going to the restroom must be accompanied by staff.
- You may not submit the exam early. Except in sudden health or emergency situations approved by the chief examiner, submitting the exam early or leaving the exam room without authorization is a violation.
In other words, clear all items from your person before entering the exam room and follow staff instructions during the exam, and you should basically avoid these red lines.
Common Pitfalls in the Home-based Test
The rules for the Home-based Test focus on the "environment" and the "equipment."
On scratch work:
- You may use only a small whiteboard, or blank paper inside a transparent document bag, together with an erasable whiteboard marker.
- At the end of the exam, you must erase all scratch work on the spot; otherwise it will be treated as a violation.
- Ordinary scratch paper, sticky notes, tissues, pencils and ballpoint pens are strictly prohibited.
On equipment and screens:
- Switching screens, using multiple screens, running non-exam programs, remote control and screen sharing are prohibited.
- Mobile phones, calculators and any wireless earphones are strictly prohibited.
On exam conduct:
- You must not leave your seat at any time or communicate with others, and you must not wear accessories that cover your face; you must remain within the proctoring view at all times.
- The primary and secondary cameras and the microphones must stay on throughout and may not be moved, covered or turned off.
- You must not leak, record or disseminate exam questions and answers in any form.
Two details deserve special attention: erase your scratch work on the whiteboard on the spot after the exam, and do not casually pick up a piece of ordinary paper for scratch work. These may look like small matters, but under the rules they count as violations.
Three Reminders
- Some violations are not intentional cheating but come from unfamiliarity with the rules, such as not erasing scratch work or wearing wireless earphones.
- Before the exam, you must read the "Instructions and Declaration for Candidates" and the "Exam Integrity Commitment" on the official website.
- For the Home-based Test, you must take the pre-exam individual test and the centralized mock test so that you go through the process once.
Next Steps
Now that you are familiar with the rules, the rest is to practice until you can handle the questions. You can start with a 15-minute math diagnostic on CSCA.PRO.