McMaster University
How McMaster picks
McMaster publishes the exact formulas it uses at both stages: one decides who is interviewed, the other who gets an offer, and the MCATThe Medical College Admission Test, run by the AAMC. It has four sections: chemistry and physics, critical analysis and reasoning (CARS), biology and biochemistry, and psychology and sociology. Each section is scored from 118 to 132, for a total from 472 to 528. only matters through one section, Critical Analysis and Reasoning (CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section.). Once you reach the interview, the MMI, multiple mini interviewA circuit of short, timed interview stations. Each station has a different scenario or question and a different interviewer, so no single conversation decides your score. Schools use it to judge communication, ethics and judgement, not science knowledge. carries 70% of the offer score.
From applications to seats
Who gets an interview
Formula: GPA 32%, CARS 32%, CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it. 32%, plus up to 4% for a completed graduate degree.
The interview
Virtual multiple mini interview (MMI). No science knowledge is tested.
Who gets an offer
Formula: MMI 70%, GPA 15%, CARS 15%. Top scores go to file review and offers.
Step by step
- Meet the minimums. GPA 3.00, CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. 123, CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it. completed.
- Interview invitation. GPA 32%, CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. 32%, CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it. 32%, graduate bonus up to 4%. About 570 invited.
- MMI. Virtual. The school says March, with 2027 dates to be announced.
- Offer. MMI, multiple mini interviewA circuit of short, timed interview stations. Each station has a different scenario or question and a different interviewer, so no single conversation decides your score. Schools use it to judge communication, ethics and judgement, not science knowledge. 70%, GPA 15%, CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. 15%, then file review. Offers go out the second Tuesday of May.
Also worth knowing
- About 540 of the roughly 570 interview spots go to Ontario applicants and about 30 to applicants from elsewhere. AFMC guide, admission in 2027
- Offers come off one master rank list. Campus is then set by your ranked preference and, if needed, a rank-weighted lottery. OMSAS, McMaster
Grades and tests
Cumulative. Every undergraduate year counts equally and nothing is dropped. If both attempts of a repeated course are on your transcript, both count.
| GPA minimum | 3.002026-27 cycle, entry fall 2027Not rounded: 2.99 does not qualify. McMaster, admissions FAQ |
|---|---|
| Admitted average | GPA 3.94, CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. 129Class of 2029, entered fall 2026Averages of students who accepted an offer. McMaster, Class of 2029 statistics (PDF) |
| MCAT | CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. only, 123 minimum2026-27 cycle, entry fall 2027The other three MCAT sections are not considered. McMaster, before you apply |
| Situational test | CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it. required2026-27 cycle, entry fall 2027McMaster, before you apply |
| Prerequisites | None2026-27 cycle, entry fall 2027McMaster, before you apply |
| Degree | Three years of undergraduate study (15 full courses) by May of the entry year. |
Do you meet McMaster’s requirements?
Is McMaster a fit?Our reading of the school’s published rules. Not a prediction of your chances.
May suit you if
- CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. is your strongest MCATThe Medical College Admission Test, run by the AAMC. It has four sections: chemistry and physics, critical analysis and reasoning (CARS), biology and biochemistry, and psychology and sociology. Each section is scored from 118 to 132, for a total from 472 to 528. section. It is the only one McMaster reads.
- Your grades are steady across every year, since no year is dropped.
- You want to finish in three years, on an 11-month school calendar.
- You are comfortable with CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it., which is 32% of the interview invitation score.
Think carefully if
- A weak first year counts as much as your best year.
- Three years means a compressed program with little summer time off.
- CasperAn online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights. You watch or read everyday scenarios and explain what you would do and why, in typed and video answers. Human raters score it. does not count toward the offer, but a weak Casper can keep you from an interview.
- At the offer stage, the MMI, multiple mini interviewA circuit of short, timed interview stations. Each station has a different scenario or question and a different interviewer, so no single conversation decides your score. Schools use it to judge communication, ethics and judgement, not science knowledge. outweighs your GPA and CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. combined.
Pathways
At least 95% of admissions go to Ontario residents under the provincial rule in force since July 1, 2025.
- Black-Equity Stream (BESt): supplementary essay, which is not scored
- Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP): CARSCritical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, one of the four MCAT sections. It tests reading and reasoning on passages from the humanities and social sciences. No science knowledge is needed. McMaster only looks at this section. can be submitted as late as the offer date
- Canadian Armed Forces Military Medical Training Program: up to 3 seats a year
- MD/PhD: up to 3 students a year
- McMaster pioneered the multiple mini interview (MMI) and developed Casper, two tests other Ontario schools now use.Read the school’s page
- Its medical school began teaching through problem-based learning in 1969.Read the school’s page