What Medical School Applicants Need to Know About the AAMC Preview Exam

What is the AAMC Preview Exam?

The AAMC Preview exam, formerly known as the AAMC Situational Judgement exam, assesses prospective students’ understanding of “effective professional behavior.” The test uses nine core competencies, which have been identified as critical for medical school success. As per its previous name, the exam remains a situational judgment test designed to provide medical schools with a more holistic view of an applicant’s medical school readiness. 

The competencies tested are:

• Cultural Awareness

• Cultural Humility

• Empathy and Compassion

• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others

• Interpersonal Skills

• Reliability and Dependability

• Resilience and Adaptability

• Teamwork and Collaboration

• Commitment to Learning and Growth 

How is the exam scored?

The exam is multiple choice. Students will receive descriptions of a “situation” and are then asked to judge possible behaviors in response to the situation as “very ineffective to very effective” on a four-point scale. The exam consists of 186 questions. 

Test-takers will receive one overall score between 1 and 9 (highest). A higher score denotes that the test-taker’s responses were more frequently in line with the consensus of medical educators. 

How is it different from CASPer?

Similar to CASPer, the test gauges situational judgment. However, the CASPer test is open-ended while the Preview exam is multiple choice. The AAMC Preview was also designed with medical students and professionals in mind and test-takers must verify a statement that they are taking the test solely with the intent of applying to an allopathic or osteopathic medical program. The CASPer test is more general in nature. 

An applicant may need to take both the AAMC Preview and the CASPer test, depending upon the application requirements of the medical schools they are applying to.  

When can I take the AAMC Preview exam?

The exam is administered from March through September 2024. Test-takers may sit for the exam twice in one year, and up to four times overall. Key registration dates are available here. 

What schools require / recommend the AAMC Preview Exam?

These lists are continually being updated. We recommend checking the AAMC website for the latest. This post is up-to-date as of February 2024.  

Schools requiring:

• Mercer University School of Medicine

• Saint Louis University School of Medicine

• Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah

• University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

• University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

• University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine

Schools recommending:

• Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

• Morehouse School of Medicine

• Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

• Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

• University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine

Schools requiring a Situational Judgment Test (the Preview will satisfy):

• Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

DO schools recommending:

• Des Moines University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program (you may submit your application with or without a Preview score)

Additional schools may collect Preview Exam scores in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, not for the purposes of assessing applicants, but to collect data to determine if they will incorporate the Preview Exam into future application cycles. These research-only schools are identified within the AMCAS application. 

Where can I find out more about the AAMC Preview Exam?

The AAMC provides a number of useful materials and resources online. Consider starting with the AAMC Preview Essentials and the Professional Readiness Exam Sample. 

The 2023-2024 Allopathic Medical School Application: An Overview with Suggested Timing

If you’re looking to start medical school in the Fall of 2024, now is the time to get started with the application process! Applying to medical school is arduous, but with proper planning, you can reduce your stress and maintain a manageable task load.

The four components of the medical school application include:

1. Standardized tests: MCAT and CASPer

2. AMCAS application 

3. Secondary Applications

4. Interviews

Standardized Tests: 

MCAT: Your MCAT scores are typically valid for three years prior to matriculation, and you can take the exam up to three times.

• Register: Select your preferred date, as well as a few alternative dates that would work. You can register for the test here. The ten day deadline prior to the test is your last opportunity to schedule, reschedule, or cancel. 

• Prep: Start preparing for the MCAT at least six months prior to your planned test date.

• Sit for the exam no later than May 26, 2023 (scores released June 27): This will avoid application delays. Keep in mind that we actually recommend that you take your final exam by mid-April so that you can re-direct your attention to preparing the AMCAS application. 

Review our blog post on Retaking the MCAT.

CASPer: This test gauges your ability to critically evaluate complex scenarios and employ sound judgment and communication skills. Not all medical schools require applicants to take the CASPer, however, a growing number of allopathic programs do, currently over 40. Your CASPer score is generally only valid for one application cycle. 

• Register: You can register for the test here. You are able to reschedule your CASPer test any time prior to starting the test. 

• Prep: You will want to familiarize yourself with the test format and content by taking a sample test a few days before you take the exam. 

• Sit for the exam during the Spring/Summer of 2023. 

The CASPer score is often requested alongside your secondary application or prior to an invitation to interview. Opting to take the test earlier in the cycle, rather than later, will allow you to have your scores readily available when requested, meaning that you can dedicate that time to preparing your secondary application materials or for mock interviews. It will also ensure that your application is not delayed as you wait for your scores. 

Review our blog post on CASPer.

AMCAS Application: Submit no later than mid-June.

• AMCAS application opens and will be available here on May 2, 2023.

• First date to submit AMCAS application: May 30, 2023

• First date that processed applications will be released to medical schools: June 30, 2023

We recommend that you submit your application in early to mid-June because your application will go through a verification process prior to the data being released to medical schools. This can take anywhere from a couple of weeks early in the process, to over a month during peak application submission periods. Note, in order to complete verification, your application must contain your official transcript, so request this document as well as your letters of recommendation a month or two before your planned submission date (by March 30, 2023). 

You also want to submit your AMCAS application early because this step triggers schools to send out secondary application materials, either automatically, or after a pre-screen of your application. 

Review our blog posts on the AMCAS application:

How to Get High-Quality Letters of Recommendation

Set Yourself Apart with a Compelling Medical School Personal Statement

The Medical School Application: Key Tips to Consider Before you Begin Drafting the Work and Activities Section

AMCAS Work & Activities Section: Hobbies

2024 AMCAS Work & Activities Section Will Include New Experience Category: Social Justice/Advocacy

AMCAS 2024: “Disadvantaged Applicant” Question Revised to Broader Adversity Question

Secondary Applications: Submit within two weeks of receipt.

Secondary applications are typically sent between June and August, although they can come later depending upon the timing of your AMCAS submission. Many schools will not review your application file until you have submitted your secondary application. And, because most schools review applications on a rolling basis, and invite applicants to interview accordingly, it is important to send in your secondary application materials promptly. 

Additionally, because many of the schools will use at least some of the same prompts, you can start preparing responses to the most commonly asked questions as soon as you’ve submitted your AMCAS application. 

Review our blog post on common secondary application questions. 

Medical School Interviews: Fall through Spring (invitation only)

Many applicants receive invitations to interview following their submission of secondary applications and/or CASPer test scores. Schedule yours as early as possible. And before solidifying your travel plans, you should contact nearby schools to which you’ve applied and let them know you have an interview in the area in case they have availability. This serves the dual purpose of letting the other school know that you are “in demand,” while also showcasing your strong interest in their program.

Review our blog posts on this topic:

The Medical School Interview

The Medical School Interview: Preparing for the Traditional One-on-One Interview

The Medical School Interview: Preparing for the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

The Medical School Post-Interview Thank You Note

Let’s Talk About CASPer. Medical School Admissions

To gauge an applicant’s ability to critically evaluate a complex scenario and employ sound judgment and effective communication skills, a growing number of allopathic medical schools (currently, more than 40) have turned to CASPer. 

What in the world is CASPer?

CASPer (Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a situational judgment test that a school might ask you to take before interview season. As of 2022, it takes between 100 to 120 minutes to complete. The test presents you with 15 scenarios and follow-up questions about them. Some of the scenarios will be about real-life experiences that you've had. (These Qs are similar to Secondary prompts and interview questions.) Other scenarios will ask you to take on a role. For example: "You're a store manager and someone is trying to return something without a receipt." The CASPer raters use your answers to assess your empathy, ethics, self-awareness, motivation, teamwork, and communication skills, among other qualities. 

The test is presented in two sections—a typed response section and a video response section. The exact length of and balance between these sections has changed from year to year, but this is what it is like right now. 

In the typed response section, there are three written and six video-based scenarios. You'll have five minutes to answer three questions about each in writing. (If you finish early, you can hit the submit button; your answers will automatically submit at the five-minute mark whether you're finished answering or not.) Focus on content over perfect grammar. The raters know this is tightly timed and they want to see your personality and critical thinking more than a flawless polish. After you've answered five scenarios, you'll have the option of taking a five-minute break. Take it. There's no pausing this party once it's started. At the end of the section, there will be another optional ten-minute break. Take it—you might need some of that time to prepare for the next section.

In the video response section, you'll be presented with two written scenarios and four video-based scenarios. For each, you will respond by video. You'll be asked three questions and give a one-minute video response to each. At the one-minute mark, your video will automatically upload. Altus Assessments, which owns CASPer, notes that many applicants run over their video answer time and it's not a big deal. If it happens, let it go, and reset your brain for the next prompt. Being calm and collected in the next video is going to make more of a statement than your "oops."

Are my CASPer results going to keep me out of med school?

Not every school requires the test, and it alone is not used to weed out prospective students. It's more like a school is lining up who you presented in your application next to who you appear to be according to CASPer. They're looking for great disparities between these two things. For example, if your application showed you as a modern-day saint, and your CASPer score for empathy was middling at best, that's a little interesting. Maybe you're a person who checked off a list of the right things to do before medical school and you're not actually aligned with the school's values. An introverted applicant who is shy in their interview could benefit from a strong CASPer score that shows they have the other qualities needed to be a top student and doctor.

A complete practice test is available, as is a sample test for video answers only. Your answers won't be reviewed by anyone at Altus. This is just so you can get used to the test's format. The takealtus.com website has information about other ways to prepare for your test day.