Casper Test

Casper is an individual online test that assesses for non-academic competencies and interpersonal characteristics that are important for successful students and graduates of our programs; it complements the other elements in our applicant selection process. The competencies and characteristics include:

1. professionalism 
2. communication
3. collaboration
4. ethics
5. empathy 

The Casper test is comprised of multiple video or text-based scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of 3 probing questions within a total of 5 minutes; each response is graded by a different rater.

Implementing Casper is in line with our Guiding Principles of seeking excellence, fairness, and inclusivity in our selection process by using tools that have demonstrated reliability and validity for medical school admissions.  The MDCM Admissions committee carefully reviewed the evidence-based research conducted at McMaster University during the test’s development and implementation, and approved the adoption of Casper since the Fall 2018 MDCM and Medicine Qualifying Year admission.  Casper represents an improvement to our process because of its researched reliability and predictive validity for the non-academic competencies we are required to take into consideration. Selected references: (1)  (2)  (3)  

Casper counts for 20% of the pre-interview assessment. Academic context counts for 70%, and the CV is a weight of 10%.  As one element in our holistic admissions process, Casper allows candidates to show another side of themselves to the committee at this initial pre-interview step.  The Admissions committee remains dedicated to providing a standardized, rigorous selection process supported by current best practices and psychometrically valid tools

Casper performance counts for 20% of the pre-interview score for MDCM and Medicine-Qualifying Year applicants, as follows:

1.  Pre-interview ranking = 70% Academic context + 20% Casper + 10% CV.  
2.  Top-ranked candidates will be invited to interview. 
3.  Complete selection process details.

Applicants must go to acuityinsights.app to view Casper test dates and important information. Then create and manually register on AcuityInsights, have their identification validated, and reserve a test time that matches their choice of program(s) and application cycle.

All applicants applying to the MDCM or Medicine Qualifying year, at McGill University are required to complete an online Casper test prior to your application deadline. For University Applicants to MDCM, the deadline is November 1 and March 1 for CEGEP Applicants to the Medicine-Qualifying Year.

• Dates for the "Canadian Professional Health Sciences" test (2023 Admission) are announced on the Acuity Insights website: English Dates. French Dates
• The latest possible test date for the MDCM program is October 19, 2023 (English) and October 18, 2023 (French).
• The latest possible test date for the Medicine-Preparatory program is February 22, 2024 (English) and February 22, 2024 (French).
• Applicants who have not completed a Casper test designated for Fall 2024 Canadian Professional Health Sciences admissions by the application deadline will have their application cancelled by the university.
• Note that you do not require a McGill ID created by our application system to take Casper (more information on McGill’s application system)
• Casper results are only valid for the indicated application cycle, and only for the specified program type.

How to Complete Casper

In order to take Casper, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities. You will require the following:

Creation of an Acuity Insights account:

● Government-issued photo ID (English/French)

● Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)

● Working webcam

● Working microphone

● Reliable high-speed internet connection

1. Please create and register for an Acuity Insights account: AcuityInsights/signin to sign up for the Casper test for Canadian Professional Health Sciences (CSP-10201 – Canadian Professional Health Sciences), under your specific country.
2. Select a Casper test date. Only the Casper test is required, Snapshot and Duet are not used in the MDCM or Med Qualifying Year selection process. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your Casper test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application; there may be updates to the test schedule.
   * Important: To account for identity verification and payment processing timeline, ensure that you register for your test at least 3 days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.
3. Ensure you have selected McGill University for distribution before the posted Distribution Deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up to date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times on Acuity Insights.

• Please direct any inquiries on the Casper test to Contact Acuity Insights. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen on the website.

• See Casper test date tips
• In order to take Casper, you are responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. Casper can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. No exceptions will be provided for applicants unable to take Casper online due to being located at sites where internet is not dependable due to technical or political factors.
• Casper has now integrated the video portion in the official test, applicants need to complete all the Casper stations in order for our program to receive their score.
• After signing up for the test, you will be able to check your system requirements on the Casper website before your test date.​

• Because it is a test of your personal characteristics and non-academic competencies, no studying is required for Casper.
•  You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the test structure and technical requirements by exploring the sample Casper content at Preparing for Casper, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.  You can also view the company's video information session here.

• Applicants to the MDCM and Medicine Qualifying Year at McGill University can take Casper in either English or French.
• The language does not need to be the same as the one you used to submit your application, or the one you prefer for interviews.
• MDCM Admissions Language Policy.
• Note that other universities or programs may require you to take Casper in a specific language; consult the relevant institutions directly for more information before selecting your test language.

• After the Casper test, candidates will have access to their quartile score relative to the date and the group that they tested with. For more information please view the FAQ's entitled After the Casper Test – Scores and Distribution

•  See Acuity Insights Dates, Times fees for details

• If you require testing accommodations for the Casper test you will need to submit the Accommodations Request Form signed by you and your qualified professional 3 weeks in advance of your desired test date. Read about more information regarding accommodations.   

•  Please direct any inquiries on Altus Suite to support [at] acuitiyinsights.app. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen on the Acuity Insights website.
• If you have a serious issue during the test, or that prevented you from writing the test on your scheduled date, you must contact Acuity Insights as soon as possible support [at] acuitiyinsights.app, who will determine if any accommodation is permitted.
• The test score will be sent to McGill only for candidates with written approval of their exceptional situation from Altus. Please do not submit any documents to the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University.
• Registering for a Casper test after the deadline without this assessment and approval from Acuity Insights means the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University will not be able to accept the score.

• Approximately 3 weeks
• We receive the final score from the company that offers Casper, the score distributed to universities includes both written and video response portions.