Schools
Canadian Medical Schools That Don't Require CASPer (2026-27)
For the 2026–2027 cycle, eight Canadian MD programs do not list CASPer as an admission requirement: the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Ottawa, Western University, NOSM University, the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta and UBC. Ten MD programs do require it, including McMaster, Queen's, Dalhousie and the Quebec schools. Below is the full list, what each non-CASPer school uses instead, and why many applicants still end up writing CASPer.
Canadian MD programs that do not list CASPer (2026–27)
We checked each school's official admission requirements on October 23, 2026, and cross-checked against Acuity Insights' public Dates & Fees page for Canada, which lists every program that accepts CASPer scores in the current cycle. None of these eight MD programs appears there.
| School | Province | What the official page lists instead |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto (Temerty Medicine) | ON | MCAT section thresholds, brief personal essays, autobiographical sketch and references |
| Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine | ON | Minimum OMSAS GPA and a holistic review; the requirements page does not list CASPer or the MCAT |
| University of Ottawa | ON | Early-phase multiple mini interview (MMI); the MCAT is not required |
| Western University (Schulich) | ON | MCAT and interview |
| NOSM University | ON | Minimum GPA, course prerequisites and non-academic considerations |
| University of Calgary (Cumming) | AB | MCAT and MMI |
| University of Alberta | AB | MCAT and interview |
| University of British Columbia | BC | MCAT and academic requirements; no CASPer listed |
“Does not list CASPer” means the current requirements page does not mention it and the program is not on Acuity's list. Admission rules can change between cycles, and special streams can have their own rules, so confirm on the school's page before you decide. Our dedicated guides cover uOttawa's switch to an early-phase MMI, Western's program-by-program rules, UBC's programs and the University of Toronto.
Canadian MD programs that require CASPer
Acuity's Dates & Fees page lists these MD programs for the 2026–2027 cycle. English-language programs use Casper 2 (CSP-10211); the Quebec French programs use the French version.
| School | Test listing |
|---|---|
| Dalhousie University | English (Casper 2) |
| McGill University | English or French |
| McMaster University | English (Casper 2) |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | English (Casper 2) |
| Queen's University | English (Casper 2) |
| Université de Montréal | English or French listings |
| University of Manitoba | English (Casper 2) |
| University of Saskatchewan | English (Casper 2) |
| Université Laval | French (Casper 2 Français) |
| Université de Sherbrooke | French (Casper 2 Français) |
For school-specific details, see McMaster, Queen's, Dalhousie, McGill, Memorial, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. French-language applicants should read CASPer in French. Our full list of schools that require CASPer also covers US programs.
What these schools use instead of CASPer
Not requiring CASPer does not mean a school ignores personal qualities. It assesses them in other ways:
- University of Toronto: the academic requirements set an MCAT threshold of 125 in each section, with an allowance of 124 in one. The non-academic requirements are brief personal essays, an autobiographical sketch and references, assessed against professional, communicator and advocate clusters.
- University of Ottawa: its application process page says the MCAT is not a requirement and lists an early-phase multiple mini interview.
- Western, Calgary and Alberta: the requirement pages list the MCAT and an interview; Calgary specifies an MMI.
- TMU and NOSM: their requirement pages focus on GPA, prerequisites and holistic or non-academic review. Neither lists CASPer, and we did not find an MCAT requirement on the pages we reviewed.
- UBC: the MD requirements page discusses the MCAT and academic standards and does not mention CASPer.
Interviews and written submissions test many of the same skills as CASPer: judgment, ethics and communication. Practising CASPer-style scenarios is still useful preparation for an MMI, which uses similar dilemmas spoken aloud.
Other programs at the same universities may require CASPer
A common mistake is assuming a university's medical school rule applies to all its programs. On Acuity's 2026–27 list:
- University of Toronto: Dentistry, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy require Casper 2. See U of T CASPer requirements.
- Western University: Dentistry, Engineering, Education, OT, PT, audiology and speech-language pathology appear on the list.
- University of Alberta: Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, OT, PT and speech-language pathology appear.
- UBC: Nursing, OT and PT appear.
- University of Ottawa: French-language OT, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, audiology and the Faculty of Education appear.
- University of Calgary: the Master of Physician Assistant program and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine appear.
Should you still prepare for CASPer?
If you apply only to the eight schools above, you do not need a CASPer score for their MD programs. Most Canadian applicants apply more widely, though. If even one school on your list requires CASPer, you need to take it in the current cycle: Acuity says scores are valid for one admissions cycle and one test type only. See how long a CASPer score is valid and CASPer 1 vs CASPer 2.
Build your list first, then decide. Applying to McMaster, Queen's or the Quebec schools almost always means writing CASPer. Use our CASPer test dates guide to book early, and a two-week study plan to prepare.
What about US medical schools?
This page covers Canadian MD programs only. Many US medical schools do not require CASPer, while others do. Acuity uses a separate US test type, so a Canadian score cannot be sent to US schools. Check our guide to which medical schools require CASPer and the CASPer vs AAMC PREview comparison for the US picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Toronto medical school require CASPer?+
No. U of T's MD program lists MCAT thresholds, brief personal essays, an autobiographical sketch and references, and it does not appear on Acuity's 2026–27 CASPer list. U of T Dentistry, Occupational Therapy and Pharmacy do require Casper 2.
Which Ontario medical schools require CASPer?+
For the 2026–27 cycle, McMaster and Queen's require CASPer for MD admissions. U of T, TMU, Ottawa, Western and NOSM do not list it.
Does UBC medicine require CASPer?+
UBC's MD requirements page does not mention CASPer, and UBC Medicine is not on Acuity's 2026–27 list. UBC Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy do require it.
Do Quebec medical schools require CASPer?+
Yes. McGill, Université de Montréal, Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke appear on Acuity's 2026–27 lists. Laval and Sherbrooke use the French version; check each school's language rules.
Can I skip CASPer if I only apply to schools that don't need it?+
Yes, for those MD programs. But if you add any school that requires CASPer, you must take it in the same cycle, because scores are valid for one cycle only.
Sources and scope
Checked October 23, 2026 against Acuity Insights' Dates & Fees page (Canada, English and French, 2026–2027 cycle) and the official admission pages for U of T, TMU, Ottawa, Western, NOSM, Calgary, Alberta and UBC. This page summarises standard MD admissions; special streams, pathways and future cycles may differ. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights and these schools.