· 6 min read
Acuity Video Interview: What It Is, Which Schools Use It, How to Practice
How Acuity Insights Video Interviews work, the early-phase MMI that runs on them, how they differ from Casper, Duet and Snapshot in 2026-27, and how to practice.
The Acuity video interview is Acuity Insights' Video Interviews: a one-way, asynchronous interview where you record timed video answers to the program's own prompts, with no live interviewer. It is separate from Casper. The best known use is the early-phase MMI, 8 recorded stations and a rest station in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Duet is no longer administered for 2026-27, and Acuity no longer lists Snapshot.
Applying to uOttawa or Queen's? Our uOttawa interview guide and Queen's interview guide have the dates, fees and what comes after.
What the Acuity video interview is
In Acuity's words, a Video Interview "allows programs to hear directly from applicants through timed video responses to structured prompts." You see a prompt, think for a moment, then record one answer.
Each program sets the questions, the number of prompts and the timers, and some use it in place of an in-person interview or as a screen before one. The program picks the raters, its own or Acuity's, on its own rubric. Acuity calls it "not a test or assessment, but a customizable admissions tool".
Schools that use it: the early-phase MMI
Two medical schools name an Acuity video step on their own pages, both for the early-phase MMI that several Ontario schools developed. The name opens our guide.
| School | The Acuity step (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| uOttawa MD | Early-phase MMI for all applicants, in your language stream. Its score helps decide interview invitations. Sessions: Oct 16, 18 or 19, 2026. Source |
| Queen's MD | Early-phase MMI for all applicants, on top of Casper, English only. Sessions: Oct 16, 18 or 19, 2026. Source |
Acuity describes the format as "8 interview stations and a rest station in the middle", about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and calls it tentative. Book at least 3 days ahead. One Video Interview covers both schools if you apply in the same language. No other school page in our verified data names an Acuity video interview. Our early-phase MMI guide covers its format, scoring, dates and practice prompts.
Video Interviews vs Casper
Casper has a video section too. Acuity says Video Interviews "is separate and programs choose what you need to respond to," while Casper's is part of one standard test. For Casper's part, see our Casper video response tips.
| Casper | Video Interviews | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | Acuity's standard scenarios | The program's own prompts |
| Timing | 2 questions per scenario, 1 minute per answer | Set by each program, shown when you start |
| Scoring | Certified human raters, one score sent to programs | The program's raters or Acuity's |
| Practice | Acuity's free practice test, as often as you like | A practice test plus 2 practice questions before it starts |
Duet and Snapshot in 2026-27
Is Duet still required? No. Acuity's applicant platform says "Duet will no longer be administered for the 2026-27 cycle and beyond." Snapshot is no longer listed. Acuity's site doesn't describe it, and its old page redirects home. If a program page still lists either one, ask the program. Status on October 17, 2026:
| Assessment | What it is, and its status |
|---|---|
| Casper | Acuity's situational judgment test: 4 video response and 7 typed response scenarios, 65 to 85 minutes. Offered. Programs say if they require it. |
| Video Interviews | A one-way interview with the program's own prompts and timers. You record each answer. Offered. The early-phase MMI runs on it. |
| Duet | A 15-minute values alignment assessment. Not administered for 2026-27 and beyond. |
| Snapshot | A 10-minute one-way video interview. No longer listed. Its old page redirects home. |
How it works on the day
- Book a slot up to 2 hours ahead and verify your ID with Onfido, ahead or at the start.
- Do the practice test first to check your camera, microphone and connection.
- A system check runs, then 2 practice questions. Each real question shows a Thinking Time counter. Select Start Answer, record, then Submit.
- Don't refresh or leave the page, since that ends your current answer. For a technical problem, use the support chat.
Refunds, missed slots, accommodations, results
- Refunds: request one up to 24 hours before your start time. Inside 24 hours there is no refund.
- Missed it without canceling? You need to book a new one, if slots are left.
- Accommodations: send the request form and documents at least 2 weeks before your interview. Acuity says scribes and dictation software are not required for Video Interviews.
- Results: you won't see a score on Acuity's platform. Each program decides if and how it tells you.
How to practice for an Acuity video interview
- Start with Acuity's practice test. It is the real platform, so you learn the buttons.
- Answer out loud, one take. Acuity's own advice is to practice answers out loud.
- Use a timer you can't pause. Swap in your program's times once you see them.
- Rehearse the whole run. For the early-phase MMI, 8 stations with a rest, about 75 minutes.
- Watch your recordings back. Did you answer the question asked and end on time?
A strong recorded answer makes one clear point, backs it with one real example and ends before the timer does. Confetto's Acuity-style round gives you 8 recorded stations with a rest after 4, 30 seconds to think and up to 3 minutes each.
Try an Acuity-style practice questionSources, all checked October 17, 2026
Acuity Insights help center, What are Video Interviews, Video Interviews vs Casper video responses, How Video Interviews are assessed, format and prep, results, practice, starting the interview, reserving or canceling, accommodations, Casper format and Professional Skills Development. Acuity Insights, About Casper, early-phase MMI, Video Interviews product page and the applicant platform. The uOttawa and Queen's pages in the table.Casper is a registered mark of Acuity Insights. Confetto is not affiliated with Acuity Insights or either school.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acuity video interview?
It is Acuity Insights' Video Interviews: a one-way, asynchronous interview. You record timed video answers to prompts the program chose, with no live interviewer. Each program sets its own questions and timers, and some use it in place of, or as a screen for, in-person interviews.
Is the Acuity early-phase MMI the same as Casper?
No. Casper is Acuity's standard situational judgment test with typed and video responses. The early-phase MMI is a separate Video Interview: 8 recorded stations and a rest station, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with prompts the schools developed. Queen's asks for both. uOttawa asks for the early-phase MMI.
Is Duet still required in 2026-27?
No. Acuity's applicant platform says Duet will no longer be administered for the 2026-27 cycle and beyond. If an old program page still lists Duet, ask the program, and check Acuity's Dates and Fees page for what each program requires now.
Does Acuity Snapshot still exist?
Acuity no longer lists it. Its applicant site, help center and product pages describe Casper and Video Interviews, and the old Snapshot page redirects to the home page. Recorded interviews for programs now run as Video Interviews.
How is the Acuity video interview scored?
Each program picks. It either rates the videos itself or has Acuity's trained raters score them, on the program's own rubric, and each applicant is generally scored by multiple raters. You won't see the score on Acuity's platform.
How do I practice for an Acuity video interview?
Take Acuity's practice test on the platform first. Then rehearse out loud on camera with a timer you can't pause, one take per answer, and watch the recordings back. Acuity's own advice is to practice answers out loud and know the program.