As you navigate your journey towards medical school, one critical aspect you may encounter is the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) test. This exam is increasingly becoming a staple in the admission processes of many medical schools. Understanding which schools require the CASPer test and how to prepare for it can give you a significant advantage in your medical school admissions journey.
Last updated: July 2026.
The CASPer testing landscape has shifted significantly for the 2026-2027 application cycle. Acuity Insights reduced the test length by 20%, cutting total scenarios from 14 to 11 and bringing estimated completion time down to 65-85 minutes. Each scenario now contains only two questions instead of three, and typed responses are scored individually rather than as a single unit per scenario. The registration fee remains $85 USD, which now covers score distribution to nine programs, with additional schools costing $20 each. Snapshot has been fully discontinued and is no longer part of any medical school’s admissions requirements.
Several schools previously associated with CASPer have changed course. Stanford, Yale, and UCLA do not require CASPer. UCLA instead requires the AAMC PREview exam, and other programs like Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson and Michigan State now accept either CASPer or PREview. Meanwhile, TMDSAS schools requiring CASPer dropped from 10 to 5. Current estimates place the total number of US MD and DO programs requiring or accepting CASPer at roughly 33-50, depending on whether “recommended” and DO programs are included. Applicants should verify each school’s current requirement directly through MSAR or the school’s admissions page, and can use the IMA Pathfinder admissions calculator to identify which programs on their list require CASPer and how it fits into their overall application strategy.
With the 2026 updates to federal OBBB loan provisions affecting how graduate borrowers structure repayment, the total cost of applications, including CASPer fees, test prep, and secondary applications, deserves careful budgeting alongside future loan obligations. Running scenarios through a student loan repayment calculator early in the process can help you understand how pre-matriculation spending adds to your overall debt picture and plan accordingly before you even receive your first acceptance letter.
In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive list of medical schools requiring CASPer and offer valuable tips to help you excel. We also delve examine the importance of medical school admissions consulting to optimize your application strategy.
What is the CASPer Test?
The CASPer test, which stands for Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics, is an innovative tool medical schools use to evaluate potential students. It’s an online screening tool designed to assess the personal and professional characteristics that make a successful healthcare professional. These qualities include ethics, empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills, all essential for anyone entering the medical field.
Unlike traditional tests primarily focusing on academic capabilities or theoretical knowledge, the CASPer test takes a unique approach. It aims to measure non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics, often overlooked in the medical school admissions process, yet are vital in real-world medical practice.
The test comprises a series of video and written scenarios that present challenging and realistic situations often encountered in a healthcare setting. The applicant’s task is to respond to these scenarios in a way that reflects their personal judgment, ethics, empathy, and communication skills. Doing so provides medical schools with a more holistic view of the applicant beyond what grades and academic achievements can provide.
As you navigate through the CASPer test, you’re not just answering questions but demonstrating your capacity to handle sensitive situations, make ethical decisions, and communicate effectively. You’re showing your potential as a future healthcare professional who may one day need to navigate complex patient interactions, make challenging decisions, and work collaboratively within a healthcare team.
The test is completed in a timed, online format, ensuring that responses are intuitive and genuine. This format also allows applicants worldwide to complete the test, offering a fair and standardized assessment method for all potential medical students.
The importance of the CASPer test in the medical school admissions process has grown significantly with an increasing number of medical schools incorporating it into their admissions criteria. It’s a testament to the evolving understanding of what makes a good doctor – not just about academic prowess but also personal attributes and social intelligence.
For a more detailed understanding of the CASPer exam, what it entails, and why it matters to medical schools and their applicants, we invite you to read our in-depth article on the subject. Understanding this tool can be critical to preparing for your medical school application and, ultimately, your future healthcare career.
Why Do Medical Schools Require CASPer?
Becoming a successful doctor involves more than just academic prowess. While a solid understanding of the sciences is undoubtedly crucial, the practice of medicine requires a unique blend of skills that extends beyond the textbooks. Medical professionals must navigate complex ethical dilemmas, communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds, and make critical decisions under pressure. It is within this context that the CASPer test comes into play.
Medical schools continually seek ways to assess applicants beyond their academic qualifications, and the CASPer test has become an increasingly popular tool. Unlike traditional admissions factors such as GPA and MCAT scores, which primarily assess cognitive abilities, the CASPer test helps these institutions gauge an applicant’s non-cognitive or “soft” skills.
The CASPer test assesses traits such as empathy, communication, ethics, and professionalism. A transcript or a traditional exam can only partially measure these skills. Still, they are vital for success in the medical field. The CASPer test offers a glimpse into how an individual might approach real-world medical dilemmas by presenting applicants with various scenarios and asking for responses.
Moreover, the CASPer test helps to promote fairness in the admissions process. It ensures that every applicant, regardless of their background, is evaluated on their potential to handle the interpersonal aspects of healthcare. This is increasingly important as medical schools strive to cultivate a diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce that can effectively serve an equally diverse patient population.
The CASPer test offers a more holistic view of an applicant, ensuring that future doctors are academically proficient and possess the necessary personal attributes to excel. It tests what you know and who you are as a potential healthcare provider.
Medical Schools That Require CASPer
A number of medical schools use the CASPer test to assess interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Requirements change frequently: some schools have dropped CASPer or switched to the AAMC PREview exam. For example, Stanford, Yale, and UCLA no longer require CASPer, and UCLA now requires the AAMC PREview exam instead. Treat the list below as a historical starting point only, and always confirm current requirements in the AAMC MSAR database or on each school’s own admissions page before applying.
1. Albany Medical College
Located in Albany, New York, Albany Medical College values the insights provided by the CASPer test in assessing an applicant’s suitability for a career in medicine. The school focuses on producing competent, caring physicians equipped to handle healthcare’s ethical and interpersonal challenges.
2. Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Central Michigan University College of Medicine seeks to educate diverse, patient-centered physicians. By requiring the CASPer test, the school aims to ensure its students possess the necessary soft skills to succeed in the profession and provide high-quality care.
3. California University of Science and Medicine
This school prides itself on a holistic approach to admissions, making the CASPer test a natural fit. The California University of Science and Medicine looks for evidence of applicants’ personal attributes, including empathy, resilience, and communication skills, alongside academic qualifications.
4. Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University in Philadelphia requires the CASPer test as part of an admissions process that values academic achievement and personal characteristics. The school’s mission is to cultivate physicians who are both scientifically proficient and able to effectively meet their patients’ needs.
5. East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Situated in Johnson City, ETSU College of Medicine has a strong commitment to improving healthcare in rural Appalachia. Consequently, they value the CASPer test for its ability to help identify applicants who have the personal attributes necessary to work in this unique context.
6. Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
This Florida-based medical school requires the CASPer test as part of its mission to produce culturally competent, patient-centered physicians. They believe the test can provide important insights into an applicant’s potential to contribute positively to healthcare.
7. George Washington University School of Medicine
Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, GWU School of Medicine requires the CASPer test as part of its commitment to holistic admissions. They aim to admit a diverse group of students who have the potential to become compassionate, community-focused physicians.
8. Howard University College of Medicine
Howard University, one of the nation’s leading HBU, uses the CASPer test to help identify students who will thrive in its rigorous, socially conscious medical education program.
9. Indiana University School of Medicine
As the largest medical school in the United States, Indiana University School of Medicine values the CASPer test’s ability to help them select students who will succeed academically and display the empathy and communication skills necessary in today’s healthcare environment.
10. Morehouse School of Medicine
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Morehouse School of Medicine has a strong mission to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. They value the CASPer test as a tool to help identify applicants who align with this mission.
11. University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine, aligning with their CASPer test requirement. They seek students who possess academic strength and personal qualities like empathy, professionalism, and effective communication skills.
12. New York Medical College
Located in Valhalla, New York, NYMC recognizes the value of CASPer in assessing applicants’ personal attributes. It’s integral to their mission to educate compassionate physicians dedicated to providing culturally competent, community-inclusive care.
13. Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University sees the CASPer test as essential in selecting students who align with their mission. They’re dedicated to improving all Oregonians’ health and quality of life through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.
14. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School requires the CASPer test as part of their commitment to a holistic admissions process. They aim to select students who are academically strong and demonstrate the personal qualities necessary to excel in the medical profession.
16. University of Virginia School of Medicine
The University of Virginia School of Medicine seeks students with the personal attributes necessary to become compassionate healthcare providers. They see the CASPer test as a tool that can provide insights into these characteristics, complementing the academic qualifications of their applicants.
17. Wake Forest School of Medicine
Located in North Carolina, Wake Forest School of Medicine values the CASPer test as a way to gauge the personal attributes of their applicants. Their mission is to train competent, patient-centered physicians who are prepared to serve their communities with the highest standard of medical care.
19. University of Michigan Medical School
The University of Michigan Medical School is one of the medical schools that require CASPER as part of their commitment to a holistic admissions process. They strive to select students who demonstrate academic excellence and the interpersonal skills necessary for a successful medical career.
This list provides a snapshot of the medical schools that require CASPer. Remember, medical school admissions are complex, and requirements can change yearly. For a comprehensive list of all medical schools requiring the CASPer test, consider our medical school admissions consulting services. We can provide personalized advice and guidance, helping you navigate the admissions process effectively.
Preparing for Medical Schools that Require CASPER Testing
Preparation is crucial for success in the CASPer test. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the exam format, understanding the types of questions asked, and refining your typing skills for the timed written responses.
Consider participating in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program. These programs offer a valuable opportunity to observe medical professionals in real-world situations, which can give you practical insights that can be applied in the CASPer test scenarios.
Medical School Admissions Consulting with IMA
Navigating the medical school admission process can be complex and daunting. The intricacies of preparing applications, understanding specific requirements like the CASPer, and presenting oneself effectively in interviews can often be overwhelming. However, you don’t have to embark on this journey alone. Admissions consulting can provide an invaluable guiding hand, helping to illuminate the path toward your goal of securing a place in a reputable medical school.
International Medical Aid (IMA) offers a comprehensive admissions consulting service designed to help you navigate these challenges. With our professionals, who have an in-depth understanding of the medical school admissions process, IMA is equipped to provide personalized advice and guidance every step of the way.
Our consulting team can help you understand the nuances of the application process, including the significance and requirements of the CASPer test. We can guide you in preparing for the test, highlighting the questions you may encounter and providing tips on approaching them effectively. This can be a significant advantage, given the growing number of medical schools that require CASPer.
Beyond CASPer, the IMA admissions consulting service also assists with other critical aspects of the application process. This includes help with personal statement writing, interview preparation, and application review. We can provide insights on highlighting your strengths, experiences, and personal qualities effectively, thereby helping to enhance your application’s overall appeal.
If you have participated in a pre-med shadowing study abroad program, the consulting team can guide you on how to present this experience to add value to your application. Such programs provide unique experiences and learning opportunities that can significantly enhance your appeal to medical schools.
The team can also help you understand the specific requirements of different medical schools near you. With numerous medical schools requiring the CASPer test, this can help you strategize your application process more effectively, applying to schools where your application would have the most impact.
IMA’s admissions consulting service is about more than just helping you get into medical school. It’s about helping you lay a strong foundation for your future medical career. By equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the application process effectively, we help you take the first crucial step toward achieving your dream of becoming a medical professional.
For a more personalized approach to your medical school application, schedule an appointment with IMA’s medical school admissions consulting team today. Let us guide you toward your a fulfilling career in medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CASPer test in 2026?
As of the 2025-2026 cycle, CASPer takes approximately 65-85 minutes to complete, down from 90-110 minutes in previous years. The test now includes 11 scenarios: 4 video-response scenarios and 7 typed-response scenarios, each with 2 questions. Optional breaks are built in after the video section and midway through the typed section, so total seated time may be slightly longer.
How much does CASPer cost for US medical school applicants in 2026?
The CASPer registration fee for US medical applicants is $85 USD for the 2026-2027 cycle. This fee covers score distribution to up to nine programs. Sending scores to additional schools costs $20 per program. Fee waivers are available for applicants receiving fee assistance through approved programs such as AAMC Fee Assistance, AACOMAS, Texas JAMP, or Texas Early Assurance.
Do all US medical schools require CASPer?
No. Approximately 33-50 US MD and DO programs require or accept CASPer for the 2026 admissions cycle, depending on how recommendations are counted. Many top-ranked schools, including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, do not require it. Some schools now accept either CASPer or the AAMC PREview exam. Always check each school’s current admissions page or MSAR for the latest requirements.
Has the CASPer scoring system changed for 2026?
Yes. Previously, your two responses within a typed scenario received a single combined score. Starting with the 2025-2026 cycle, each question is scored individually. This means both questions in a scenario carry independent weight, so applicants should allocate effort evenly across both responses rather than concentrating on just the first question.
Is Snapshot still required for medical school applications?
No. Snapshot, the one-way video interview component formerly part of the Altus Suite (now Acuity Insights platform), was discontinued after the 2022-2023 application cycle. No medical school requires Snapshot for the 2026 admissions cycle. CASPer and Duet remain available, though Duet requirements vary by school and many programs only require CASPer.
