AST

Overview

The AST (分科測驗, Advanced Subjects Test) is a Taiwan national exam run by the College Entrance Examination Center (大學入學考試中心, CEEC). It tests advanced subject ability, and its results are used in the distribution admission route (分發入學), where universities can count some or all of the AST subjects. It was known as the 指考 before the 2021 reform.

This page follows the CEEC's guide for the 2027 admission year (116 學年度). The guide is in Chinese, and dates are converted to the Gregorian calendar.

Who can apply

Students in the third year of senior high school who are about to graduate, graduates, and people with equivalent academic standing can apply. Students about to graduate can register through their school or individually, but only one of the two. Others can register through a registered cram school or individually.

Exam pattern

There are eight subjects, and candidates may choose which to take. Each is 80 minutes long and marked out of 100.

The physics, chemistry and biology tests include inquiry and practice content. Question types can include single and multiple choice, fill-in questions (Mathematics A and B), mixed questions and written-response questions.

The 2027 schedule is 10 and 11 July. On Saturday 10 July, Physics is first, then Chemistry, Mathematics A and Biology. On Sunday 11 July, History is first, then Geography, Mathematics B and Civics and Society.

Marking and results

Each subject has 100 marks. Single-choice and multiple-choice questions use the same rules as the GSAT: multiple-choice marks are reduced by option, and fill-in questions in mathematics need every blank correct. Results are reported as grades from 0 to 60 for each subject, using the average of the top 1 percent of candidates in the subject as the unit. The CEEC also publishes five benchmarks (top, front, average, back, bottom) at the 88th, 75th, 50th, 25th and 12th percentiles.

Important dates

For the 2027 exam (116 學年度):

• 3 to 15 June 2027: registration.

• 10 and 11 July 2027: exam.

• 29 July 2027: results published and score reports sent.

• 29 July to 3 August 2027: period to request a score review.

Fees

For the 2027 exam, group registration through a school or cram school costs a base fee of NT$200 plus NT$170 per subject. Individual registration costs a base fee of NT$250 plus NT$170 per subject. Candidates from low-income households pay nothing, and those from middle-to-low-income households receive a 60 percent reduction.

How to apply

Register through your school (if you are graduating), through a registered cram school, or individually on the CEEC online system. Individual candidates upload a digital photo, enter their details, print the payment form and pay by the deadline.

After the exam

The AST report for each candidate includes the AST subject results and the candidate's GSAT results on the 60-grade scale, which are used for the distribution route. Which AST subjects count, and how, is set by each university department in its admission brochure.