Key Takeaways
- Some dental and dental hygiene programs require Casper to assess communication, ethics and judgement
- It is the same situational judgement test other health applicants sit, and it tests no dental or science knowledge
- Many programs collect Casper alongside the AADSAS application, each with its own deadline
- You receive your Casper result as a quartile, and competitive applicants aim for the 3rd or 4th quartile
- Preparation works: learn the format, lead with empathy, and practise under the timed clock
Do dental schools require the Casper test?
A number of dental schools require the Casper test, and some dental hygiene programs use it too. Dentistry is a close, hands-on, trust-dependent profession, so admissions teams use Casper to assess the communication, empathy and ethical judgement that the DAT and a strong GPA cannot show. Many dental applicants apply through AADSAS, the centralised application service, and individual schools indicate whether a Casper result is required and the deadline for it.
Adoption varies by school and changes each cycle, so confirm the current requirement on the official admissions page for each dental program you are applying to before you book a sitting. Programs we've checked that require it include University of Utah in the US. In Canada, they include McGill University and University of Toronto. Our list of dental programs that require Casper names every one we've confirmed.
No dental knowledge tested
Casper does not ask about oral anatomy, the DAT or any dental content. It presents everyday dilemmas about people and fairness, so your science preparation gives you no advantage on the test itself.
11 scenarios across two sections: a typed-response section and a video-response section.
- Typed scenarios 7
- Video scenarios 4
What to expect and what a good score is
Dental applicants sit the standard Casper test: 4 video-response scenarios and 7 typed-response scenarios, in about 65 to 85 minutes. Each scenario is scored by a different trained rater. Programs receive your score, and you receive a quartile, with no pass or fail. The complete Casper test guide covers the format and scoring. Competitive dental applicants generally aim for the 3rd or 4th quartile, the level shown in our Q4 vs Q2 answer comparison. For how quartiles work, see what your Casper score means.
A dental-style scenario
A nervous member of the public is anxious and asking lots of questions while others wait, and a colleague signals for you to hurry them along. What do you do? A strong answer stays patient and reassuring, communicates clearly, and balances the anxious person’s needs with fairness to everyone else.
How to prepare for the dental Casper test
- Learn the format cold so the timing and structure are familiar on the day
- Lead with empathy, acknowledging the people in each scenario before acting
- Rehearse the typed clock and lift your typing speed if it is slowing you down
- Practise speaking to camera and review the recordings
- Do full, timed mock tests with honest feedback on every answer
Demonstrated empathy and balanced judgement are what raters reward. The 9 Casper competencies breakdown details each, and the 3.5-minute typed response strategy shows how to structure high-scoring answers under time.
Your Casper timeline, step by step
- 1Step 1
Check your programs
Confirm which of your programs require Casper and the deadline for your result.
- 2Step 2
Register early
Book your Casper sitting through Acuity Insights, well before your earliest deadline.
- 3Step 3
Practise under the clock
Rehearse timed scenarios across both sections until the format feels routine.
- 4Step 4
Sit the test
Complete the video and typed sections in a single sitting.
- 5Step 5
Send your results
Distribute your Casper result to every program before its application deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all dental schools require the Casper test?
No. Some dental and dental hygiene programs require Casper, but many do not. Confirm on each program admissions page, alongside your AADSAS requirements, for the cycle you are applying in.
What is a good Casper score for dental school?
You receive your Casper result as a quartile from the 1st (lowest) to the 4th (highest), relative to others in your cycle. There is no fixed pass mark, but competitive dental applicants generally aim for the 3rd or 4th quartile.
Does Casper test the same content as the DAT?
No. The DAT tests academic and scientific knowledge, while Casper measures empathy, ethics, communication and judgement through everyday scenarios. There is no content overlap between them.
When should I take Casper for dental school?
Take it early enough for your result to reach every program before its deadline, often around when you submit your AADSAS application. You can only complete each Casper test type once per admissions cycle. Rescheduling is free 31 or more days before your test, and a fee may apply after that.
Can you prepare for the dental Casper test?
Yes. Learn the format, build empathy-first habits, improve your typing speed, rehearse the video section, and practise full timed runs with feedback so your judgement comes through clearly.