CASPer for Medical School: The 2026 Applicant Guide
The CASPer test is now a mandatory component of the medical school application for hundreds of programs in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Here is what you need to know as an applicant.
Why Medical Schools Use CASPer
GPA and MCAT scores predict academic performance, but they tell admissions committees very little about whether you will be an empathetic, ethical, and collaborative physician. CASPer was created to fill this gap. Research from McMaster University, where CASPer was developed, shows that it predicts clinical performance, professionalism ratings, and lower likelihood of academic remediation during medical school.
Top Medical Schools Requiring CASPer (Canada)
Top Medical Schools Requiring CASPer (USA)
How CASPer Fits Into Your Application
CASPer is submitted separately from your primary application and shared with the specific schools you select. You receive a quartile (Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4); your selected programs receive a percentile ranking relative to other applicants, not the quartile itself, and not a raw numeric score. Most programs that require CASPer use it as a screening tool: a low percentile can result in your application not advancing to the interview stage, even with excellent GPA and MCAT scores.
Important: A single CASPer score is shared with all schools you designate. You take it once per application cycle, so preparation matters significantly.
CASPer Quartile Benchmarks
Your responses demonstrate exceptional nuance, empathy, and ethical reasoning. This score significantly strengthens your application.
Solid responses showing good judgment. Most competitive applicants achieve Q3 or higher.
Responses are functional but lack depth or fail to fully engage with the ethical dimensions of scenarios.
Responses show poor judgment, superficial reasoning, or fail to demonstrate key competencies. Will likely harm your application.
When to Take CASPer
CASPer is available year-round, but you must complete it before the application deadlines of your target schools. Most Canadian medical school applicants take it between May and August for September start programs. Allow at least 4 to 6 weeks to properly prepare. You can only take the test once per application cycle for a given discipline (medicine, nursing, etc.), so treat preparation seriously.
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