Key Takeaways
- Some veterinary programs require Casper to assess communication, empathy and resilience
- It is the same situational judgement test other applicants sit, and it tests no veterinary or science knowledge
- Many programs collect Casper alongside the VMCAS application, each with its own deadline
- You receive your Casper result as a quartile, and competitive vet applicants aim for the 3rd or 4th quartile
- It is highly preparable through format familiarity, empathy-first habits and timed practice
Do veterinary schools require the Casper test?
Some veterinary programs require the Casper test. Veterinary work is emotionally demanding and deeply client-facing, balancing animal welfare, owner communication, cost and difficult decisions, so admissions teams use Casper to assess the empathy, communication and resilience those situations require. Most applicants apply through VMCAS, the centralised veterinary application service, and individual programs indicate whether Casper is required and by when.
Requirements vary by school and change each cycle, so confirm the current rule on the official admissions page for each veterinary program you are applying to before you register. Programs we've checked that require it include Long Island University and Oregon State University in the US. In Canada, they include Université de Montréal and University of Guelph. Our list of vet programs that require Casper names every one we've confirmed.
No veterinary knowledge tested
Casper does not ask about animal biology, clinical care or any veterinary content. It presents everyday dilemmas about people and fairness, so applicants from any 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
Veterinary 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 vet 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 veterinary-style scenario
A friend is upset and angry after a stressful experience and is taking it out on you, even though you were not involved. How do you respond? A strong answer stays calm, leads with empathy for what they are going through, does not escalate, and looks for a constructive way to support them.
How to prepare for the vet school Casper test
- Learn the format cold so the timer and structure are familiar before test day
- Lead with empathy, acknowledging the people in each scenario before acting
- Rehearse the 3.5-minute typed clock and improve your typing speed if needed
- Practise speaking to camera and watch it back for tone and pacing
- Sit full, timed mock tests with specific feedback on every answer
Empathy under pressure and balanced judgement are exactly what raters reward. The 9 Casper competencies breakdown explains each, 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 veterinary schools require the Casper test?
No. Some veterinary programs require Casper, but not all do. Confirm on each program admissions page, alongside your VMCAS requirements, for the cycle you are applying in.
What is a good Casper score for vet 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 vet applicants generally aim for the 3rd or 4th quartile.
How does Casper fit a VMCAS application?
You register for and sit Casper separately through Acuity Insights and choose which veterinary programs receive your result. Your VMCAS programs tell you whether Casper is required and the deadline by which it must arrive.
Is the Casper test hard for vet applicants?
It is challenging in a different way to an academic exam. There is nothing to memorise, but you must think clearly and write with empathy under a tight clock. Most applicants find it far more manageable after practising the format and timing.
Can you prepare for the vet school 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 under pressure.