Medical schools that require CASPer include US MD programs, US DO programs, and Canadian medical schools. Requirements vary by institution and applicant pathway: some schools require CASPer, others accept an alternative such as AAMC PREview, and some do not require either assessment. Below, you’ll find the medical schools that require CASPer, important exceptions, and guidance on understanding the requirement and preparing for the test.

Disclaimer: CASPer stands for computer-based assessment for sampling personal characteristics and is a registered trademark of Acuity Insights, Inc. (formerly Altus Suite). BeMo does not recommend, endorse nor affiliate with CASPer or Acuity Insights and vice versa. BeMo only provides preparation services and practice tests. To take CASPer, contact Acuity Insights directly.

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List of Medical Schools That Require CASPer

Medical schools use CASPer to assess applicants’ interpersonal and professional qualities as part of the admissions process. The following lists cover the 2026-2027 admissions cycle for students entering medical school in 2027. We have distinguished schools that require CASPer from programs where it is optional, recommended, or interchangeable with another assessment.

US MD Schools That Require CASPer

Important: the requirement to take the CASPer does not always apply at the same point in the application process. For example, the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio requires CASPer from applicants invited to interview. The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont requires it before an interview invitation is issued.

Other US MD schools have different CASPer policies:

US DO Schools That Require CASPer

Medical Schools That Require CASPer in Canada

Canadian requirements can differ by language, applicant category, and admissions pathway. Queen's University, for example, has a CASPer exception for eligible applicants in its Indigenous Student Admissions Pathway. McGill and the French-language Quebec programs have specific language and applicant-stream requirements.

Since CASPer requirements and test dates are program-specific, check both the school's admissions website and Acuity Insights' official test registration information before booking. Being listed by the test provider does not necessarily mean that CASPer is mandatory for every applicant or pathway.

If you would rather apply to programs that do not use the assessment, explore our list of medical schools that do not require CASPer.

Medical Schools that Require CASPer: Why Medical Schools Require It

Medical schools use CASPer because grades, MCAT scores, and application essays cannot tell an admissions committee everything about an applicant. CASPer presents applicants with situations involving ethical decisions, conflicting responsibilities, interpersonal difficulties, and other challenges they may encounter in professional life.

The test is designed to assess qualities such as empathy, communication, professionalism, and ethical judgment. It belongs to the broader family of situational judgment tests, which also includes AAMC PREview. Schools may use CASPer results when screening applications, selecting interview candidates, or evaluating applicants alongside other admissions information. Each institution decides how much weight to give the test.

One argument for using CASPer is that it might allow applicants to demonstrate qualities that academic assessments overlook. Supporters also argue that situational judgment tests can contribute to a more equitable admissions process.

However, we at BeMo question whether these assessments consistently deliver on that promise.

A 2019 study involving medical school applicants at New York Medical College suggested that incorporating CASPer could improve the representation of certain demographic groups in interview pools. The results for applicants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were mixed.

Other research has raised concerns. A 2023 study of applicants interviewed at a public medical school in the southeastern United States found disparities in CASPer scores across racial and ethnic groups. The researchers concluded that CASPer might not reduce admissions bias in the way its proponents intend.

Research published by SortSmart in 2019 suggests that applicants from higher-income households may be better positioned to navigate assessments such as CASPer and the multiple mini-interview (MMI). Financial resources, access to preparation, and familiarity with professional expectations can all affect how applicants approach a test.

Research on the fairness of situational judgment tests therefore remains mixed. Applicants cannot control whether their chosen schools require CASPer, but they can learn what the assessment involves and prepare to demonstrate their judgment under timed conditions.

One of our students, Alison, initially knew very little about the test:

“I had no idea what CASPer was [at first]. I think it's something that a lot of schools use and that I feel … it's not talked about very much at all and I think it's because it's a test that you can't necessarily ‘study for’. Couple google searches later figured out what it was for … but by having a little bit of not necessarily studying but preparation you can not only know what you're doing but also make yourself kind of stand out as an applicant in that aspect as well.” – Alison, former BeMo student and current student at Dell Medical School.

Alison's experience illustrates why familiarity with the test matters. Applicants may understand the importance of their GPA, MCAT score, and medical school essays but have far less experience answering ethical and interpersonal questions on a timer.

Nonetheless, the CASPer test remains an important medical school requirement. Applicants should know what the questions demand, practice explaining their reasoning, and seek useful feedback before test day.

Can You Really Prepare for CASPer?

Yes. Although CASPer evaluates qualities such as judgment, communication, and professionalism, applicants can practice identifying the issues in a scenario and explaining their decisions clearly.

For example, a question might describe a colleague who appears to be neglecting an important responsibility. A strong answer would consider the potential consequences, seek relevant information, recognize the perspectives of those involved, and explain a reasonable course of action. Applicants must communicate that reasoning within the test's time limits.

Preparation is particularly valuable because the official assessment does not provide applicants with detailed feedback on individual responses.

One BeMo student, Anushka, reflected on how she approached CASPer during an earlier application cycle:

“3rd quartile CASPer likely screened me out from most medical schools this past cycle, especially as a 3rd year applicant. I don't think I took CASPer prep as seriously as I should have and will work harder on it this cycle.” – Anushka G., BeMo student

Her comment reflects the uncertainty applicants can feel about how schools use CASPer scores. Although the effect of any one applicant's score on an admissions decision is generally not disclosed, thorough preparation gives applicants more confidence in the responses they can control.

BeMo's internal research found that applicants' CASPer practice scores improved by 23% on average after three preparation sessions with expert feedback. The study compared participants' initial CASPer simulations with their performance after preparation, demonstrating the value of structured practice and individualized coaching.

Applicants looking for a structured approach can explore our CASPer prep program, which combines realistic practice scenarios with expert feedback. Those beginning independently can also use our CASPer prep tips and free CASPer sample questions.

Personalized feedback was particularly useful for another BeMo student, Alina, who was preparing for CASPer for the first time. She explained that practicing scenarios helped her understand the different question types, while feedback helped her identify ways to improve:

“[CASPer prep was] really helpful because not only do you go through a CASPer scenario or two that you have completed but the expert will walk you through the scenario and tell you what you did well what you need to improve on … [CASPer prep] was helpful not only in terms of improving my CASPer test taking abilities but also telling me, roughly, where I was at so that I had confidence going into test day.” – Alina, BeMo student

Research outside BeMo also supports the value of preparation and mentorship. A 2023 study published in BMC Medical Education examined a CASPer preparation program for applicants underrepresented in medicine. Among 43 participants who completed a follow-up survey, 51% reported scoring in the highest CASPer quartile, 58% received an offer from at least one medical school, and 35% received an offer from a medical school requiring CASPer. Participants also reported improved confidence and familiarity with the assessment.

Effective preparation should include more than memorizing ideal answers. Applicants benefit from repeated practice with realistic scenarios, identifying weaknesses in their reasoning, and learning how to express their decisions clearly within the allotted time.

For a practical demonstration, the following BeMo video walks through sample CASPer passages and helps applicants understand how to approach questions under test conditions. 

How Does the CASPer Test Work?

CASPer is an online situational judgment test comprising 11 scenarios divided into two sections. Applicants respond to a range of interpersonal, ethical, and professional situations using video-recorded and typed answers.

The current test format is:

  • Video-response section: Four scenarios, each followed by two questions. Applicants have one minute to record their answer to each question.
  • Typed-response section: Seven scenarios, each followed by two questions. Applicants have 3.5 minutes to type both answers for each scenario.
  • Total duration: Approximately 65–85 minutes, including two optional breaks.

CASPer is scored by trained human raters. Since the 2025–2026 cycle, typed answers have been scored individually rather than receiving a single combined score for both questions in a scenario.

Schools receive the CASPer results directly through Acuity Insights. Applicants receive their quartile placement, which indicates how their performance compares with other test-takers in the same test type, but do not receive the detailed score supplied to institutions.

Schools determine independently how they use the results. A strong CASPer performance may contribute to an application, but the weight assigned to it depends on the institution's admissions process.

When Can I Take the CASPer Test?

While there are many CASPer test dates available throughout the year, students should check each program's requirements closely.

CASPer is offered on scheduled dates rather than on demand. Each medical school identifies the test dates it will accept, and those dates can differ substantially even within the same application cycle.

For example, Memorial University of Newfoundland's final accepted test date for the 2026–2027 cycle was August 27, 2026. In contrast, the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine accepts testing through December 3, 2026, and Temple University's published schedule extends into January 2027.

Applicants should identify the latest accepted test date for every program on their list, then select a test date that allows time for scoring and distribution. Taking CASPer earlier can also prevent delays where a school requires the score before reviewing an application or issuing an interview invitation.

Our CASPer test dates guide provides additional scheduling information. Applicants should complete their registration through Acuity Insights, selecting the correct country, test type, and recipient programs.

Applicants applying to medical schools in both the United States and Canada should also check their test types carefully. The CASPer assessment required for a US medical program is not necessarily the same test type required by a Canadian program, and separate sittings may be necessary.

FAQs

1. If a medical school accepts either CASPer or AAMC PREview, do I have to take both?

No. If a medical school explicitly accepts either CASPer or AAMC PREview to satisfy its admissions requirement, applicants can generally submit one of the two. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is an example. However, a school that requires CASPer specifically may not accept PREview as a substitute. Check the exact requirement for each program before registering.

2. Can I send my CASPer results to more than one medical school?

Yes. You can designate multiple medical schools to receive your CASPer results through your Acuity Insights account, provided they accept the same test type. You can also add eligible distribution recipients after registration. Distribution fees may apply.

3. Can I use last year's CASPer result for a new medical school application?

No. CASPer results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who reapply in a subsequent cycle must take the assessment again if their chosen medical schools require it.

4. How many times can I take CASPer during one admissions cycle?

You can take CASPer only once per test type in an admissions cycle. You cannot retake the same test type to improve your result. However, applicants who need different test types—for example, for US and Canadian medical programs—may need to complete separate assessments.

5. Do medical schools see my CASPer quartile or my full score?

Medical schools receive CASPer results through Acuity Insights and determine how those results are used in admissions. Applicants receive a quartile placement indicating their relative performance, rather than the detailed institutional score. A fourth-quartile placement means that your performance was in the highest quartile for your test group.

6. Can I take CASPer in French when applying to Canadian medical schools?

Yes, French-language CASPer testing is available for eligible Canadian programs. Applicants must select the language accepted by their intended school and applicant stream. McGill has specific language requirements, while programs such as Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke use French-language assessments. A test completed in one language or test type should not automatically be assumed valid for every program.

7. Can I submit my medical school application before completing CASPer?

Often, yes. Some schools allow applicants to submit their primary and secondary applications while awaiting CASPer results. However, a school may not consider the application complete or invite the applicant to interview until the score arrives. Always distinguish the application submission deadline from the final accepted CASPer test date.

8. What happens if I miss a medical school's final CASPer test date?

If CASPer is mandatory and the school will not accept a later test, missing the final accepted date may prevent your application from being considered complete. Acuity Insights offers scheduled testing dates, but each institution sets its own acceptance deadline. Contact the admissions office if you believe you have missed a required test date; do not assume another scheduled sitting will be accepted.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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