Several medical schools require the CASPer test as part of their admissions process. This situational judgment is part of a multi-level assessment called Altus Suite. Along with the Snapshot interview and the Duet profile, CASPer is used by some medical schools to assess the applicants' non-cognitive skills.
In order to have a realistic chance of admissions, you must prepare for CASper well in advance, using realistic simulations and expert feedback. This blog will provide a comprehensive list of all medical schools that require CASPer in both the US and Canada.
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List of Medical Schools That Require CASPer in the US
***Note: unless otherwise indicated, all the schools listed below require only the completion of the CASPer test. We put a small note next to each of the schools that require the other Altus Suite components, the Snapshot and Duet.
US MD Schools That Require CASPer
- American University of The Caribbean School of Medicine
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Boston University School of Medicine
- Central Michigan University College of Medicine (CASPer is recommended, not required)
- Drexel University College of Medicine
- East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
- Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
- McGovern Medical School, UT Health Science Center Houston
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Meharry Medical College
- Mercer University School of Medicine
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (Duet is also recommended)
- New York Medical College
- Northeast Ohio Medical University Medicine
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Penn State College of Medicine
- Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
- State University of New York Upstate Medical University
- Stony Brook University School of Medicine
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Duet is also required)
- Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine (Duet is also required)
- Foster School of Medicine TTUHSC El Paso
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine
- Tulane University School of Medicine (CASPer and Duet are encouraged, not required)
- University of Colorado Denver Medical School (CASPer, Snapshot, and Duet required)
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine (CASPer, Snapshot, and Duet required)
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
- University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center Houston
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Long School of Medicine
- John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch
- University of Texas Southwestern
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
- University of Washington School of Medicine
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Wake Forest School of Medicine
- West Virginia University School of Medicine
Osteopathic Medical Schools That Require CASPer
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (CASPer not required but highly recommended)
- California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (not required to submit CASPer unless they have been invited to complete a secondary application)
- Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (only applicants who are invited to complete an interview will be required to complete the test)
- Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (requires CASPer, Snapshot, and Duet)
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine NY
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine– Nevada
- Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Duet is being trialed and admissions is recommending students take the assessment)
BS/MD Programs That Require CASPer
- Albany Medical College
- Hofstra University
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center
Check out these CASPer question examples you NEED to know!
List of Medical Schools That Require CASPer in Canada
- Dalhousie University
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Memorial University Faculty of Medicine
- Queen's University
- University of Ottawa
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université Laval
- University of Alberta
- University of Manitoba
- University of Saskatchewan
How Does the CASPer Test Work?
The Computer Based Sampling of Personal Characteristics, known as CASPer, is an online situational judgment test used to assess an applicant's soft skills including empathy, motivation, communication, and ethics. Although the test claims to assess these personal attributes, studies suggest otherwise and have shown that situational judgment tests cause bias. The test is often used as a screening method to help determine which applicant's should be invited to an in-person interview, so it's essential that students review CASPer test questions and know how to prepare for CASPer correctly. This should be followed by using realistic simulations followed by expert feedback. For example, BeMo's CASPer prep programs have been proven to increase applicants' practice CASPer score by 23%. Here is the BeMo CASPer prep review.
The CASPer test is not taken at test centers, instead, students can participate in the test from any location they choose, as long as they are alone and have access to a reliable internet connection. The test costs $10, plus another $10 to send the scores to each school. Students will be recorded for the duration of the test and will be presented with 15 different hypothetical ethical scenarios, divided into 2 sections: typed-based and video-recorded. These scenarios may be video-based or written and with each scenario, students will be asked three open-ended questions. For the typed-response section, students will have 5 minutes per scenario to type their responses. For the video-record section of CASPer, you will have 1 minute to video-record your responses to each of the 3 questions. The test takes roughly 100-120 minutes to complete with 2 optional test breaks. Each scenario of the test is scored by a different trained evaluator and scores will be sent automatically to selected programs approximately three weeks after completing the test. CASPer scores are not released to students.
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. Some programs, such as undergraduate nursing, only have December– March test dates while most MD vs. DO programs have dates ranging from July – May of the following year.
FAQs
1. How many times can I take the CASPer?
You can take the CASPer once per admissions cycle. The results are valid for one admissions cycle, but if you’re applying in subsequent cycles, you will need to retake it.
2. How is the CASPer formatted?
CASPer has two sections: typed response and video response. In former, test-takers will respond to three word-based scenarios and 6 video-based scenarios. In the latter section, test-takers will respond to two word-based scenarios and four video-based scenarios.
3. How do I prepare for CASPer?
Your CASPer test prep should consist of reviewing sample questions and expert responses. This way, you’ll get an idea of how to formulate a strong answer for the different types of questions you will be asked.
4. What types of questions will I be asked?
You will respond to three possible types of questions: situational, policy-based, and personal questions. For scenario questions. The purpose of asking a variety of questions is to enable you to demonstrate your values, ethical conduct, critical thinking skills, and suitability for the profession.
5. How long will the test take?
Typically, it will take between 100–120 minutes in total. You will have 5 minutes to respond to the three questions for each scenario. You will also be given a five-minute break halfway through the typed-response section and an optional 10-minute break before the second section.
6. How soon will scores be sent to the schools I'm applying to?
Scores will be sent about 2-3 weeks after its rated. After that, the scores will be sent to schools automatically.
7. When should I take the CASPer?
You will have to refer to specific school application timelines. However, the latest date to complete the CASPer is generally late October.
8. What should I do if I'm having trouble preparing?
Don’t worry, you can always use a CASPer test prep course. One of the main benefits of these courses is that it helps you get familiar with the format and practice your answers using an expert strategy proven to help students get results.
9. What Canadian medical schools require CASPer?
There are many medical schools in Canada that require CASPer. These include the following: Dalhousie University, McGill University, McMaster University, Memorial University Faculty of Medicine, Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan.
10. What programs require CASPer?
Many students think that CASPer is just a medical school requirement, but it is also a PA school requirement, nursing school requirement, pharmacy school requirement, and even a veterinary school requirement.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Disclaimer: CASPer stands for computer-based assessment for sampling personal characteristics and is claimed to be a trademark of McMaster & Altus. BeMo does not recommend, endorse nor affiliate with CASPer, Altus or McMaster and vice versa. BeMo only provides preparation services and practice tests. To take CASPer, contact Altus directly.
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3 Comments
Boris
I am applying to med school for a second time, do I need to take CASPer test again or can I use one from the last year?
ReplyLilly
Thanks for great info. Do you have blog post/info about Snapshot?
ReplyJK
Do Dental Schools require CASPer and if yes is it different from one for Med Schools? How much before my test date should I start preparing for it?
Reply