Programs
Waterloo Pharmacy CASPer Requirements 2026-27: PharmD and CAP
Yes, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy requires CASPer, and the test you take depends on how you apply. PharmD applicants take Casper 2 (CSP-10211), with January 21, 2027 as the last accepted test date for January 2028 entry. Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) applicants, who apply from Grade 12, take Casper 1 (CSP-10200), with a last test date of March 2, 2027. Booking the wrong one is the most common avoidable mistake.
Waterloo PharmD vs CAP at a glance
| Item | PharmD | CAP |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | University students, typically from second year onward | Grade 12 or year 1 CEGEP students |
| CASPer test | Casper 2, CSP-10211 | Casper 1 (English), CSP-10200 |
| Application deadline | January 6, 2027 | February 1, 2027 |
| Last CASPer date | January 21, 2027 (also the ID and distribution deadline) | March 2, 2027 (also the ID and distribution deadline) |
| Academic threshold | Minimum 75.0% cumulative university average | 90.0% high school admission average (85.0% for year 1 CEGEP) |
| Other components | Academic and prerequisite forms, Extracurricular Experience form, one health-professional reference | Extracurricular Experience form, two references (one academic, one employer or volunteer) |
| Interview | Live virtual panel interview, April 30 to May 2, 2027 | Asynchronous virtual interview; invitations March 22, 2027 |
| Entry | January 2028 | CAP status; PharmD after two years of eligible study |
All details are from Waterloo's PharmD application process page and CAP page, checked October 26, 2026. Acuity's public Dates & Fees page lists the two programs separately in the same way: “University of Waterloo Pharmacy” under Casper 2 and “University of Waterloo Conditional Admission to Pharmacy” under Canada Casper 1.
Waterloo PharmD: Casper 2 (CSP-10211)
Waterloo's PharmD timeline tells applicants to register for CSP-10211 Canada Casper 2 on one of its approved dates. The key rules on the page are:
- Once per year. CASPer can only be taken once per year and must be completed in the admission cycle you are applying in. A score from last year does not count.
- Applicant number. Results are transmitted automatically when your correct 9-digit Waterloo Applicant Number is in your Acuity profile. Waterloo sends that number within one to two weeks of receiving your application.
- Placeholder ID. If you test before you have the number, you can register with a 9-digit placeholder, but you must update it with your real number by the deadline.
- Distribution. Select University of Waterloo Pharmacy for distribution before the application deadline.
- Final date. January 21, 2027 is the last CASPer test date and the final day to add your applicant number and pay to distribute your score.
- Accommodations. Submit Acuity's Initial Request Form at least four weeks before your test date. See CASPer accommodations.
The application opened September 23, 2026 and closes January 6, 2027, with supporting documents due January 20. A test date after January 6 is still accepted, as long as it is one of the approved dates.
Approved CASPer dates for Waterloo PharmD
Waterloo lists these Casper 2 sittings for the 2026–27 PharmD cycle. Times on its page are Eastern; most sittings start at 8:00 p.m.
- Jul 19, 2026
- Aug 11, 2026
- Aug 27, 2026
- Sep 10, 2026
- Sep 22, 2026
- Oct 3, 2026
- Oct 6, 2026
- Oct 8, 2026
- Oct 14, 2026 (two times)
- Oct 15, 2026
- Nov 5, 2026
- Nov 29, 2026
- Dec 1, 2026
- Jan 7, 2027
- Jan 21, 2027
Several dates had already passed when we checked. Book early: Acuity recommends registering at least three days before your preferred sitting, and popular dates near deadlines can be busy. If you are also applying to U of T Pharmacy or other Casper 2 programs, choose a date accepted by all of them so one sitting covers every program. Our CASPer test dates guide explains how to compare schools' date windows.
Waterloo CAP: Casper 1 (CSP-10200)
Conditional Admission to Pharmacy pre-admits Grade 12 and year 1 CEGEP students. Waterloo says it has 40 seats, comes with a Bachelor of Science alongside the PharmD, and guarantees a PharmD interview if you keep your CAP eligibility for two years, which includes achieving a satisfactory performance on CASPer.
The CAP page says all applicants for the 2026/27 cycle must complete CASPer and register for Casper 1 (English), CSP-10200, using their Waterloo Applicant ID and government-issued photo ID. It also says the listed dates are the only testing dates for the program and that no additional tests are likely to be scheduled. The CAP timeline:
- October 5, 2026: application opens on OUAC.
- February 1, 2027: application deadline.
- February 15, 2027: supporting documents, Extracurricular Experiences form and reference contacts due.
- March 2, 2027: last CASPer test date and final day to add your applicant number and pay to distribute.
- March 22, 2027: virtual interview invitations.
- April 30, 2027: final CAP status decisions.
Casper 1 is a different test type from Casper 2, so a CAP applicant cannot reuse a Casper 2 score, and the reverse is also true. Our CASPer 1 vs CASPer 2 guide explains the difference.
Booking checklist for Waterloo Pharmacy
- Pick your route. University student: PharmD and Casper 2. Grade 12 or year 1 CEGEP: CAP and Casper 1.
- Create your Acuity account with the same name and email as your Waterloo application. See how to register for CASPer.
- Choose an approved date for your route and the 2026–2027 cycle.
- Add University of Waterloo to your distribution list.
- Enter your 9-digit Waterloo Applicant Number, or a placeholder until you receive it, and update it before the final date.
- Run Acuity's system check on the computer you will use. See CASPer system requirements.
- Take the free official practice test in your Acuity account before test day.
How CASPer fits Waterloo's application
Waterloo describes its PharmD admissions as holistic, combining academic and non-academic components. CASPer sits beside the Extracurricular Experience form, which the school uses to understand your personal qualities and motivation, and a reference from a regulated health professional, preferably a pharmacist. Waterloo notes that competitive PharmD applicants often report 200 or more hours of pharmacy-related experience.
The page does not publish a CASPer cut-off or weighting. Selected applicants are then invited to a live virtual panel interview with practising pharmacists and current students. Because CASPer scores are standardized against your applicant pool, focus on answering every scenario thoroughly rather than chasing a target number. See how much CASPer matters and CASPer for pharmacy school.
How to prepare for CASPer for Waterloo Pharmacy
Acuity's About Casper page describes the standard test as 11 scenarios over about 65 to 85 minutes: four video scenarios with one minute per answer, then seven typed scenarios with 3.5 minutes for both answers. The same format applies to Casper 1 and Casper 2; only the applicant pool and accepting programs differ. Useful next steps:
- CASPer healthcare scenarios, including a pharmacy-assistant safety dilemma
- Motivation questions, useful for CAP applicants explaining why pharmacy
- How to answer follow-up questions
- A two-week CASPer study plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Waterloo Pharmacy require CASPer?+
Yes. PharmD applicants take Casper 2 (CSP-10211) and CAP applicants take Casper 1 (CSP-10200). Missing or late scores mean your application cannot be considered.
What is the last CASPer date for Waterloo PharmD?+
January 21, 2027 for the 2026–27 cycle (January 2028 entry). It is also the final day to add your Waterloo Applicant Number and pay to distribute your score.
Can I take CASPer before I get my Waterloo Applicant Number?+
Yes. Waterloo says you can register with a 9-digit placeholder ID, then update it with your real applicant number by the deadline.
Which CASPer do I take for Waterloo CAP?+
Casper 1 (English), test code CSP-10200. It is a different test type from the Casper 2 used for the PharmD, so scores are not interchangeable.
Can I use the same CASPer for Waterloo and U of T Pharmacy?+
For PharmD, both use Casper 2, so one sitting can be distributed to both if the date is accepted by each program. CAP uses Casper 1, which U of T Pharmacy does not accept.
Sources and scope
Checked October 26, 2026 against the University of Waterloo PharmD application process page and Conditional Admission to Pharmacy page, Acuity Insights' Dates & Fees page and About Casper page. Dates apply to the 2026–27 cycle and can change; confirm on Waterloo's pages before booking. Evidence saved in our research log. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights and the University of Waterloo.