
The Casper test has become an increasingly common component of admissions for professional programs, particularly for medical school admissions. Many medical schools require Casper and use it to evaluate personal characteristics, ethical reasoning, and situational judgment which are qualities that traditional academic metrics like GPA and standardized tests can’t fully capture. There are also many dental schools that require Casper, thus, it is important to note the schools that require Casper so you are well-prepared before the application season!
If you are a medical school applicant or applying to programs in dentistry, optometry, physician assistant studies, or other health-related fields, it’s important to know which schools require Casper so you can plan your application strategy accordingly. Understanding the list of participating schools also helps you determine how much weight Casper will carry in the admissions process and how best to prepare to meet their expectations.
Below, we’ll outline some of the programs that require Casper during their admissions process.
I. What is the Casper Test?
The Casper test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a situational judgment test that evaluates qualities beyond academic knowledge. Unlike traditional exams that focus on facts or formulas, many schools require the Casper as it is designed to measure personal characteristics and professional skills such as empathy, ethical reasoning, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. These are qualities that are essential for success in medical schools and other professional fields, but difficult to assess through grades or standardized tests alone.
During the test, you will be presented with a variety of scenarios or prompts and asked to respond within a set time frame. Responses can be either typed answers or video recordings, depending on the section. The scenarios often reflect real-world challenges, including interpersonal conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and professional decision-making situations, giving admissions committees insight into how you think, react, and handle pressure which is a main reason many schools require Casper.
There are many medical schools that require the Casper, however there are also many other schools that require the Casper exam such as optometry and physician assistant programs. The test is typically taken online in a monitored environment, either through a webcam for video responses or with typing responses that are timed and submitted electronically.
Ultimately, Casper is less about “right” or “wrong” answers and more about how thoughtfully and responsibly you approach complex situations. The schools that require Casper evaluate the qualities that indicate your potential to succeed not just academically, but as a professional who can navigate the ethical and interpersonal challenges of your chosen field.
II. When Should You Take the Casper Test?
Timing your Casper test is a key part of the admissions process. Since Casper is only offered on specific test dates throughout the year, you’ll need to register for a sitting that aligns with the application deadlines of the schools you’re applying to. Most professional programs, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, and physician assistant programs, require that your Casper score be submitted before or shortly after your application is considered complete. It’s also important to remember that you can only take Casper once per admissions cycle (per year). This means you can’t “re-do” the test if you aren’t satisfied with your quartile score, so choosing your test date wisely is crucial. Generally, it’s best to take Casper early in the application cycle. Results are typically released to applicants about one month after the test date, and schools won’t receive your quartile scores until then. Testing early ensures your scores are available on time and avoids any last-minute delays in your application.
Finally, consider your own preparation timeline. While Casper doesn’t require months of content memorization like the MCAT, OAT or DAT, you should still allow yourself time to practice timed responses, improve your typing speed, and refine your approach to ethical decision-making as many schools require Casper.
In short, take the Casper as early as possible within the admissions window, but only when you feel ready. Since you only get one attempt each year, planning ahead gives you the best shot at success.
III. Casper Test Dates and Registration Info
Casper test dates for the 2025-2026 cycle are posted directly on the Acuity Insights website, which is the most reliable place to confirm when you can register. For U.S. medical school applicants, there’s a set list of approved dates each year, and those are the only options you’ll be able to choose from for the med schools that require Casper. Canadian applicants will need to wait a little longer for medical schools that require Casper as test dates for Canadian programs are usually released later in the cycle, between July 2025 and October 2025.
US Medical School Casper Test Dates 2025-2026 + Times
Test Dates | Time |
March 20, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
April 8, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
May 1, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
May 15, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
May 29, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
May 29, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
June 10, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
June 10, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
June 26, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
June 26, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
July 8, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
July 8, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
July 20, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT |
July 20, 2025 | 4:00 PM EDT |
July 31, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
July 31, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
August 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
August 12, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
August 26, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
August 26, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
September 16, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
September 16, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
September 28, 2025 | 4:00 PM EDT |
October 21, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
October 28, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
November 13, 2025 | 6:00 PM EDT |
December 4, 2025 | 8:00 PM EDT |
January 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM EDT |
February 10, 2026 | 8:00 PM EDT |
The data in this figure is reprinted from Acuity Insights.
When signing up for the Casper test, always check the specific deadlines set by the school you’re applying to. Even though there are general exam dates available, each program may have different requirements, and not all schools actually require Casper. To stay on track, confirm the details with your institution before booking. Since some programs review applications on a rolling basis, it’s usually best to take Casper earlier in the cycle rather than waiting until the last possible date. Once you’ve chosen your test date, be sure to register at least three days in advance. Acuity Insights needs time to verify your identity and process your payment before confirming your spot. You’ll be asked to upload a photo of a government-issued ID for verification, so registering early also gives you time to get comfortable with the testing platform before exam day.
IV. Schools that Require Casper
Many medical schools require Casper as part of their admissions process to evaluate applicants beyond academics. Since requirements vary between schools and application cycles, it’s always best to confirm directly with your specific program before applying. Below is a list of schools that currently require the Casper test.
Allopathic MD Schools that require Casper:
Osteopathic DO Schools that require Casper:
V. FAQ
Q: Do medical schools see your Casper score?
Yes, medical schools are able to see your Casper scores, but not in the same way that applicants do. After you complete the test, percentile scores are sent directly to the schools that require Casper. This means admissions committees can see exactly how your performance compares to other test-takers and use it as part of their decision-making process.
As an applicant, however, you won’t get access to your full score report. Instead, about a month after taking Casper, you’ll receive a quartile ranking (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th quartile) that shows the general range you fell into compared to other examinees. This is meant to give you a broad sense of your performance without disclosing the exact scoring breakdown.
It’s also important to keep in mind that each school weighs Casper differently. Some programs place significant emphasis on it as part of the admissions process, while others may use it more as a supplementary measure. Because of this, you should always check the requirements of the schools you’re applying to in order to understand how your Casper results will be considered.
Q: Can you retake the Casper test?
You are allowed to retake the Casper test, but there are strict limitations on how often. Casper can only be written once per admissions cycle, which means once per year. If you are not satisfied with your performance or feel your score does not reflect your abilities, you will have to wait until the next cycle to register and attempt the test again. This rule applies regardless of the program you are applying to and is designed to ensure that every applicant is evaluated under the same fair conditions.
Because you only get one opportunity each year, it is especially important to be fully prepared before your test date. Take time to review practice scenarios, understand the structure of both the video and written responses, and develop strategies for answering situational judgment questions effectively. If you feel you did not perform well, you can strengthen other areas of your application, such as GPA, extracurricular activities, or interview performance, while preparing more thoroughly for the next cycle.
Q: Which schools require additional testing like Snapshot or Duet?
Snapshot was a brief, one-way video interview designed to give applicants the opportunity to showcase their communication skills, motivations, and self-awareness. During Snapshot, candidates were presented with a few prompts, had a short time to reflect, and then recorded responses on camera. It allowed admissions committees to see a more personal side of applicants beyond their written application materials. However, Snapshot has been discontinued starting with the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, and no schools currently require it.
Duet, on the other hand, is an untimed values-alignment assessment that asks applicants to reflect on program characteristics and prioritize what matters most to them. Your responses are then compared to each school’s values to evaluate how well your preferences and priorities align with the institution’s culture. Duet is used by several medical and osteopathic schools to support holistic admissions, helping committees understand not only an applicant’s academic readiness but also whether they are likely to thrive in the school’s environment.
Schools that require Duet include: