Casper Test for Medical School 2026: Format, Purpose & Preparation Guide

If you are applying to medical school, you may be required to take the Casper test as part of your application. This situational judgment assessment evaluates your personal and professional attributes, giving admissions committees insight into your suitability for a career in medicine beyond grades and test scores.

This guide covers the Casper test’s purpose, structure, scoring, and how schools use the results in their admissions process.

Are you looking for a Premed, PA, Medical Internship Abroad? Inquire Here

What Is the Casper Test?

Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) presents realistic, hypothetical scenarios that test your ethical reasoning, empathy, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

It is part of a growing trend in medical school admissions to assess applicants’ non-academic skills, often alongside the MCAT, GPA, and other application materials.

How to Register

You must create a Casper account and register for your preferred test date at least three days in advance. Required items include:

• A government-issued photo ID
• Valid email address
• Working webcam and microphone

If you need testing accommodations, register at least three weeks before your preferred date. The test is offered once per admissions cycle, and fees are non-refundable.

Who Needs to Take the Casper?

Many U.S. MD and DO programs, as well as some Canadian medical schools, require Casper. Always check the specific requirements for each school on your list.

Why Schools Use Casper

While academic ability is critical, physicians must also excel in areas such as communication, empathy, and ethical decision-making. Casper allows schools to assess these traits early in the admissions process, sometimes before deciding who to invite for interviews.

The test measures ten key behavioral characteristics:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Empathy
• Equity
• Ethics
• Motivation
• Problem-Solving
• Professionalism
• Resilience
• Self-Awareness

Casper Test Format

Casper currently includes 11 scenarios:

• 4 video-response scenarios
• 7 typed-response scenarios
  
  

Each scenario has two questions. You will have:

• 1 minute for each video-recorded response
• 3.5 minutes for each typed-response set

You cannot review or edit answers after submission. Different raters score each scenario independently. The test takes about 65–85 minutes to complete, with optional breaks between sections.

Example Question Types

Word-Based Example:

You are a physician in an ER. A patient with a history of seeking pain medication requests a strong prescription for back pain.

1. What is going through your mind right now?
2. How would you handle the situation if the patient continued insisting?

Video-Based Example:

Watch a short clip of a workplace conflict and answer two follow-up questions about your approach to resolving it.

When to Take the Casper

Most applicants take Casper in April or May of their application year, but the best time depends on when you feel ready. Some schools will not review your application until they have your Casper score.

How the Casper Is Scored

Casper scores are relative and placed into quartiles:

• 1st quartile: Lowest 25% of test-takers
• 2nd quartile: 25–49%
• 3rd quartile: 50–74% (above average)
• 4th quartile: 75–100% (highest range)

A third or fourth quartile score is typically considered competitive, though schools review Casper results alongside other materials.

How Schools Use the Results

Casper results are incorporated into a holistic admissions review, often influencing interview invitations. The assessment helps programs identify applicants with the interpersonal and professional qualities necessary for medical training and patient care.

Medical Schools That Require Casper (Partial List)

• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (Casper or AAMC PREview)
• Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Casper and Duet)
• University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (Casper and Duet)
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Baylor College of Medicine
• UT Southwestern Medical School
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Medical College of Wisconsin

For the most current list, check the official Casper test dates and requirements.

Preparing for Casper

Because Casper measures situational judgment, you cannot “cram” in the traditional sense, but you can prepare by:

• Practicing with sample Casper questions
• Reviewing ethical dilemmas in healthcare
• Improving typing speed and accuracy
• Gaining relevant experience through clinical internships abroad to draw on real examples

Final Thoughts

The Casper test offers medical schools a deeper look at your interpersonal skills and ethical judgment. By understanding its format and preparing with realistic practice scenarios, you can approach test day with confidence and present yourself as a strong, well-rounded candidate.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, MCAT/MSAR/USMLE, Med Schools,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Dec 14, 2025