Nearly every Chinese researcher hits the same wall when choosing a journal: a title is Q1 in JCR but only 2区 (Tier 2) in the CAS ranking — so which one counts? You are not confused because you missed something. The two systems are built on genuinely different logic. And in 2026, the picture changed more than it has in twenty years. Here is all three, explained clearly.

1. JCR quartiles: a simple, transparent four-way split

The JCR ranking is published by Clarivate (the organisation behind Web of Science). Its logic is the simplest of the three: within each subject category, journals are ordered by Journal Impact Factor and divided into four equal quarters of 25% each. The top quarter is Q1, then Q2, Q3 and Q4.

Because it is a strict, even four-way split, JCR Q1 is comparatively broad, and the method is public and reproducible. That transparency is why it is so widely used internationally. For a Chinese researcher targeting international journals, JCR is the most stable and universally recognised reference point.

2. The CAS ranking: a pyramid, where Tier 1 is very hard

The CAS ranking (the journal ranking table from the CAS National Science Library, 中科院分区) has been published since 2004, and its logic is quite different from JCR. It is not an even split but a pyramid: Tier 1 (1区) covers only about the top 5% of a field, Tier 2 roughly 6–20%, Tier 3 roughly 21–50%, and Tier 4 the bottom 50%.

This means CAS Tier 1 is far harder to reach than JCR Q1. A journal sitting comfortably in JCR Q1 often lands in CAS Tier 2 or even Tier 3. That does not mean the journal got worse — the two rulers are simply marked differently.

The "upgraded edition" and the Transcendence Index

In 2019 CAS introduced an "upgraded edition", replacing the earlier three-year average impact factor with the Journal Transcendence Index (期刊超越指数); from 2022 only the upgraded edition was published. The index tries to capture how often a journal is cited above its peers, but the exact algorithm and weightings were never fully disclosed — which is why some academics long described it as a "black box".

大类 vs 小类 — the mistake that catches people out

CAS assigns each journal a broad-category tier (大类, a wide discipline group) and one or more subject-category tiers (小类, narrower fields) at the same time. The same journal can be Tier 2 in the broad category but Tier 1 in a subject category, or the reverse. The real question is: which one does your institution count? Universities, hospitals and institutes do not agree — so before you submit, confirm whether your institution reads the 大类 or the 小类 tier.

"CAS Tier 1" and "JCR Q1" sound symmetrical but are two entirely different bars. Reading a ranking starts with knowing which ruler is behind it.

3. The 2026 shift: CAS steps back, 新锐 steps in

This is the one thing every Chinese researcher needs to know right now. In March 2026, the ranking landscape changed more than it had in over two decades:

The 新锐 ranking is run by some of the original CAS-ranking team. It keeps the same pyramid framework (Tier 1 top 5% / Tier 2 6–20% / Tier 3 21–50% / Tier 4 bottom 50%) and is free and open. It also folds risk warnings directly into the table, marking dozens of journals "Under Review" instead of issuing a separate warning list.

But be clear on one point: the 新锐 ranking is explicitly not endorsed by CAS — the CAS statement effectively distances it from the new table. So you can no longer treat it as authoritative simply because former CAS people are behind it.

4. All three at a glance

5. So what should a Chinese researcher do now?

In a transition period like this, the useful question is not "which ranking is most authoritative" but rather a few steady principles you can actually act on:

1. Check your institution's current rule first

This is the most important step and the one most often skipped. The standard is in flux and differs by university — do not assume last year's rule still holds. Ask your research office or school directly: for 2026, which edition is used, and is it the 大类 or 小类 tier?

2. Keep JCR as a stable cross-reference

However the domestic system shifts, JCR Q1/Q2 remains the most transparent and internationally recognised signal. Using JCR as a second check when you shortlist journals keeps your judgement grounded.

3. Always verify indexing and warning status first

Before you worry about tiers, confirm on the official Web of Science Master Journal List that the journal is currently indexed in SCIE/SSCI, and that it is not on a warning or "Under Review" list. A high tier means little if the journal is flagged. To screen risk quickly, try our Predatory Journal Checker.

4. Let fit — not the tier number — lead your choice

Chasing the highest tier can land you in a journal that does not fit your work, or one that is re-tiered next year. The steadier strategy is to match your topic, method and the journal's scope — something we emphasise throughout our publication mentorship.

Once the path is clear, the real work is still the manuscript itself. We do not ghost-write papers and we never promise acceptance — Research Ramp offers strategic guidance and editorial refinement, helping you present your research to the right journal in the right way. See how a Chinese team took a concept to a Springer Nature Q1/Q2 publication in under five months →