Short Answer: Only If Your Schools Require It
Do you need Casper for dental school? Only if one or more programs on your list require (or strongly recommend) it. Casper is not a universal AADSAS requirement like the DAT. A minority of U.S. dental schools use it.
Casper is an online situational judgment test (SJT) from Acuity Insights. It samples how you think through interpersonal and ethical scenarios — communication, empathy, professionalism, problem-solving — not organic chemistry.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Required for all dental schools? | No |
| Who runs it? | Acuity Insights (acuityinsights.app) |
| Format | Open responses: video + typed sections |
| When to take | After you know your school list; often May–June if applying early |
| Score use | Schools receive results for review; you typically do not get a detailed “score report” like the DAT |
Always verify on the school’s admissions page and inside your Acuity account program list. Third-party “Casper dental school lists” go stale every cycle.
What Casper Looks Like (Current Format)
Casper presents short real-world scenarios (video or word-based), then open-ended questions. Structure applicants commonly face:
| Section | Scenarios | Response style | Timing (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video responses | ~4 scenarios | Record spoken answers (2 questions each) | ~1 minute per question |
| Typed responses | ~7 scenarios | Type answers (2 questions each) | ~3.5 minutes total for both questions |
Expect roughly 90–110 minutes including instructions/breaks (confirm on Acuity for your test reservation). There is no single “correct” script — raters look for clear reasoning, empathy, and professional judgment under time pressure.
Register for the correct test type your dental programs list (U.S. Professional Health Sciences codes differ from Canadian or other versions). Example: some schools specify a code such as CSP-20100 — match exactly what the school posts.
Cost and Fee Assistance
Fees change — check Acuity Dates and Fees when you reserve. Recent U.S. cycles commonly quote about $85 base (includes distribution to a set number of programs) plus a per-program fee for extras.
If you are approved for ADEA AADSAS FAP, Acuity may waive Casper fees when you upload valid FAP proof before test day. See AADSAS FAP guide and Acuity’s FAP help articles.
Which Dental Schools Require Casper?
The list changes yearly. Examples of programs that have required Acuity/Casper in recent cycles include schools such as Case Western Reserve (confirm current deadline on their DMD checklist) and a handful of others — but do not treat a blog table as final.
How to check correctly:
- 1Build your school list
- 2Open each school’s admissions / how to apply page
- 3Confirm in AADSAS program instructions
- 4Create an Acuity account and view participating programs / required assessments
If zero schools on your list require Casper, skip it and invest that time in DAT, secondaries, or interviews (MMI guide).
When to Take Casper for the 2026–27 Cycle
| Goal | Timing tip |
|---|---|
| Early AADSAS submit (June) | Take Casper in May–June so scores arrive before committee review |
| Schools with winter deadlines | Still take early — many committees will not fully review until Casper is in |
| Retake / bad tech day | Know Acuity’s retake rules before you book; prep the sample test first |
Pair with: application timeline · Decision Day.
How to Prepare (Without Overpaying for Hype)
Acuity’s own guidance: learn the format and tech, run the system check, and use the official practice test often.
Practical prep that helps:
- 1Practice typing under a 3.5-minute clock for two questions
- 2Practice 60-second spoken answers on camera (eye contact, structure, calm tone)
- 3Use a simple response frame: acknowledge → options → choice → why → stakeholders
- 4Sleep and test your mic/camera the day before
You do not need a $1,000 Casper course for dental school if only 1–2 programs require it. Free official practice + timed drills are enough for most applicants.
FAQ
Do all dental schools require Casper? No — only specific programs. Verify each school.
Is Casper the same as the DAT? No. DAT = academic readiness. Casper = situational judgment / professional attributes.
Can ADEA FAP cover Casper? Often yes if you have approved ADEA FAP and upload proof to Acuity in time.
When should I take it? After your school list is set, early enough for the most restrictive program deadline — often late spring / early summer for on-cycle applicants.
Next Step
Audit your school list for Casper this week. If required, book a date; if not, ignore the noise and protect DAT study time.
Want a school-list audit (Casper + DAT + FAP)? Schedule a free call.
Written By
Dr. Alexander Takshyn
DMD, Admissions Consultant & Founder