Key Takeaways
- Some PharmD and pharmacy programs in the US and Canada use Casper to assess communication and ethics
- It is the same situational judgement test other health applicants sit, and it tests no pharmacology or clinical content
- Many programs collect Casper alongside a service such as PharmCAS, each with its own deadline
- You receive your Casper result as a quartile, and the 3rd or 4th quartile keeps a pharmacy application competitive
- It rewards preparation: format familiarity, empathy-first habits and timed practice
Do pharmacy schools require the Casper test?
Some pharmacy programs require the Casper test as part of PharmD admissions. Pharmacists counsel patients, work closely with prescribers and make ethical calls about safety and access every day, so programs use Casper to screen for the communication and judgement those responsibilities demand. Many programs collect Casper alongside the centralised PharmCAS application, while others request it directly.
Adoption varies, and requirements change each cycle, so confirm on the official admissions page for the exact pharmacy program you are applying to. A strong Casper result is a useful way to show you can communicate with care under pressure. Programs we've checked that require it include Université de Montréal and University of Toronto in Canada. Our list of pharmacy programs that require Casper names every one we've confirmed.
No pharmacology required
Casper will not ask about drugs, dosing or any pharmacy content. It presents everyday dilemmas about people and fairness, so applicants from any academic background can prepare on equal footing.
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
Pharmacy 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 pharmacy 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 pharmacy-style scenario
A regular customer becomes upset at the counter because something they expected is not available, and other people are waiting. A colleague wants to simply move on to the next person. How do you handle it? A strong answer acknowledges the customer’s frustration, communicates calmly and clearly, and balances their needs with fairness to everyone else waiting.
How to prepare for the pharmacy Casper test
- Learn the format cold so nothing on test day is a surprise
- Lead with empathy, acknowledging the people in each scenario before solving anything
- Rehearse the 3.5-minute typed clock and improve your typing speed if it is holding you back
- Practise speaking to camera and review the recordings for clarity and tone
- Complete full, timed mock tests with honest feedback on every answer
Clear, warm communication and balanced judgement are exactly what raters reward. The 9 Casper competencies breakdown explains each one, and the 3.5-minute typed response strategy shows how to structure answers that score well under the clock.
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 pharmacy schools require the Casper test?
No. Some PharmD and pharmacy programs in the US and Canada require Casper, but many do not. Confirm on the official admissions page for each pharmacy program you are applying to, since requirements change each cycle.
How does Casper fit a PharmCAS application?
You register for and sit Casper separately through Acuity Insights and select which programs receive your result. Programs that use PharmCAS tell you whether Casper is required and the deadline by which it must be received.
What is a good Casper score for pharmacy?
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 the 3rd and 4th quartiles keep a pharmacy application competitive.
Does Casper test pharmacology or science knowledge?
No. Casper measures empathy, ethics, communication and judgement through everyday scenarios. There is no pharmacy or science content, so there is nothing subject-specific to revise.
Can you prepare for the pharmacy Casper test?
Yes. Learn the format, build empathy-first habits, lift your typing speed, rehearse the video section, and practise full timed runs with feedback so your communication and judgement come through clearly.