Which Medical Schools Require the CASPer Test?
So What Medical Schools Need the CASPer Test in 2026? A comprehensive guide to medical schools requiring CASPer, powered by CasperCoach.
Applying to medical school, you will have likely heard recently about the CASPer test, which is a part of the Altus Suite. CASPer is a test that assesses ethical judgment, communication and the professionalism that a grade and MCAT score cannot possibly quantify. Not all schools though necessitate it. What are the medical schools that use the CASPer test in 2026, then? I will break it down.
If you want to completely break down CASPer format, practice resources and study tips, I cannot recommend CasperCoach enough. It is where I obtained the latest requirements of the CASPer, as well as prepared myself to take the exam.
U.S. Schools of Medicine Which Mandate CASPer
Dozens of U.S. medical schools require CASPer in their admissions process as of 2026. Schools which already have CASPer requirement (or had it in the past few cycles) are:
US Medical Schools Requiring CASPer
- • Tulane University School of Medicine
- • Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- • New York Medical College
- • Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
- • College of Medicine at University of Illinois
- • Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University
Why These Schools Use CASPer
CASPer is a thing used in these schools to assess real-life competencies such as ethical decision-making and communication. Applying to any of them, you have to practice with CASPer practice test.
Canadian Medical-School Requirements Change by Cycle
Verify the school, entry year, test type, and pathway before booking.
Canadian Schools Requiring CASPer
- • McMaster University Undergraduate MD
- • Dalhousie Medicine - mandatory with a published 25% pre-interview weight
- • Memorial University Medicine - all applicants, with score release due September 24
- • USask Medicine - all applicants, with the last accepted test on September 10
- • Queen's Medicine - verify the current test code and pathway exception
- • McGill MDCM and Med-P - available in English or French
This is a set of verified examples, not a permanent national list. Recheck every program in the cycle you apply.
CASPer's Role in Canadian Admissions
Do not carry last year's list forward. For 2027 entry, uOttawa's current standard requirements list an Acuity early-phase MMI instead of CASPer. Read the uOttawa Medicine requirement update before booking, especially if an older source still tells you to distribute a CASPer result there.
Why CASPer is Used in Medical Schools?
CASPer is different to the MCAT or GPA because they examine how their position in a real-life, ethically complex situation would be. It is used to evaluate in medical schools:
Professionalism
Professional conduct and behavior
Bedside Manner & Empathy
Patient care and compassion
Pressure Communications
Communication under stress
Ethical Problem Solving
Moral reasoning and decision-making
It is easy to find the test stressful, but the answer structure guide CASPer helped me to come up with clear, considered answers without having to hyperventilate in the time limit.
Preparing to Take CASPer
When the medical schools that you are applying to expect you to take CASPer, you will have to prepare. This is what worked how I did it:
Practice Tests
Since exam day is an important event, it is useful to take a serious simulated test at CasperCoach.
Answer Structure
Study a tested answer framework by CASPer answer structure.
AI Feedback
Garner the AI feedback on your responses via CasperCoach.
It was this option of being realistic in practice and having a systematic feedback that assisted me to reach the 4th quartile in scoring, which I never thought I could attain when I started.
Final Thoughts
Not all medical schools use CASPer, but CASPer is used in many. The number is increasing annually. Admission requirements must be checked again before admission and they should be planned upon.
To get an in-depth idea of what medical schools demand CASPer in 2026, as well as achieve practice test, score distribution and tactical videos, begin with CasperCoach. The preparation is the most thorough CASPer resource I had before entering the test day and I felt confident.
Key Takeaways
- US Medical Schools: Several prominent US medical schools require CASPer, including Tulane, Virginia Tech Carilion, and New York Medical College.
- Canadian Medical Schools: CASPer is more widespread in Canada, with schools like McMaster University (where CASPer was created) requiring it.
- CASPer's Purpose: The test evaluates real-life competencies like ethical decision-making, communication, and professionalism that grades and MCAT scores cannot measure.
- Preparation is Key: Use CasperCoach for practice tests, answer structure guidance, and AI feedback to achieve your target score.
- Growing Trend: The number of medical schools requiring CASPer is increasing annually, so always check current requirements.
Applying to McMaster? The school requires CASPer but does not publish a fixed quartile cutoff. Read the cycle-specific McMaster CASPer score and requirements guide before treating forum estimates as admissions rules.