CASPer Test 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Prepare

CASPer Test 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Prepare

If you're applying to medical school, nursing, PA programs, or teacher education, there's a good chance you'll need to take the CASPer test. Unlike traditional academic exams, CASPer is designed to evaluate the human side of your application—your empathy, judgment, and professionalism.

But what exactly is CASPer? Why do schools care about it? And how should you prepare for a test that doesn’t ask for definitions or equations?

This guide covers everything you need to know about the CASPer test—from format and purpose to preparation tips that will help you feel confident and ready.

What Is the CASPer Test?

CASPer stands for Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics. It’s a situational judgment test (SJT) created by Acuity Insights and used by professional programs to evaluate non-academic qualities.

The CASPer test measures how you respond to challenging, real-world situations involving ethics, conflict, stress, or interpersonal dilemmas. It’s used alongside your GPA, personal statements, and references—but focuses specifically on your behavioral and professional reasoning.

You don’t need to study facts or memorize content. Instead, you’ll be evaluated on how clearly, thoughtfully, and empathetically you respond to people-centered scenarios.

Who Uses the CASPer Test?

CASPer is used by hundreds of programs across:

• Canada (e.g., McMaster Health Sci, U of T Nursing, Queen’s Med)
• United States (e.g., Drexel, Tulane, Texas A&M, Yale PA)
• Australia (e.g., Monash, Deakin, University of Wollongong)
• United Kingdom (for teacher training and some medical programs)

It’s often required for applicants to:

• MD and DO programs
• Physician Assistant programs
• Nursing and midwifery programs
• Teacher education
• Veterinary and dental schools

Each program decides how much weight CASPer holds in the admissions process. Some may use it as a screen before interviews. Others consider it alongside academic metrics to assess non-cognitive skills.

Why Do Schools Use CASPer?

Academic transcripts only tell part of your story. Schools want to know if you can:

• Respond ethically in tough situations
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Reflect on your actions and grow
• Handle interpersonal challenges with empathy and maturity

These are critical traits for future professionals—especially in healthcare, education, and people-facing careers. CASPer helps programs evaluate those traits in a standardized way.

What’s the Format of the CASPer Test?

CASPer is taken online and includes two main sections:

1. Typed Response Section

• 7 scenarios
• Each followed by 2 open-ended questions
• You have 3.5 minutes total to answer all questions in the scenario

2. Video Response Section

• 4 video-based scenarios
• Each followed by 2 open-ended questions
• You get 1 minute to record your response to each question

Each scenario is unique and unrelated. Some are video clips, others are text-based prompts. The full test takes about 65-85 minutes including breaks.

What Types of Questions Are Asked on CASPer?

You’ll see a mix of:

• Ethical dilemmas (e.g., You witness a breach of privacy—what do you do?)
• Interpersonal conflicts (e.g., Two colleagues are refusing to work together)
• Professional boundaries (e.g., A client offers you a gift)
• Reflective/personal questions (e.g., Tell us about a time you failed and how you handled it)
• Social issue prompts (e.g., Should students under 16 use social media?)

The goal isn’t to find the "right" answer. It’s to show maturity, judgment, and emotional awareness.

How Is CASPer Scored?

Each scenario is scored by a different trained rater to reduce bias. Your answers are evaluated based on qualities like:

• Empathy and compassion
• Ethical decision-making
• Communication clarity
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Professionalism and self-awareness

You don’t receive a numeric score. Most applicants get a quartile ranking (e.g., top 25%, middle 50%), and schools may receive either raw scores or quartile data depending on the program.

Grammar, spelling, and typing speed don’t impact your score. What matters is what you say and how you think through the situation.

How to Prepare for the CASPer Test

Although CASPer isn’t a test you study for in the traditional sense, preparation is essential. The goal is to practice thinking and responding under pressure—clearly, thoughtfully, and quickly.

Here’s how to prepare effectively:

1. Learn the Format Inside and Out

Start by understanding the structure of the test. Know how much time you’ll get per section. This helps reduce test-day anxiety.

2. Practice with Timed Scenarios

Use sample prompts and set a timer. Practice typing answers in 3.5 minutes, and recording video responses within 1 minute. Review them for clarity and structure.

3. Use Ethical Reasoning Frameworks

Frameworks like SPIES (Stakeholders, Problem, Implications, Ethical principles, Solution) or PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point again) help you build well-structured answers quickly.

4. Reflect on Personal Experiences

Strong answers often include real-life examples. Think of moments when you faced failure, conflict, or moral dilemmas—and how you responded.

5. Focus on Empathy and Action

Acknowledge how others may feel in the scenario. Avoid passive responses like “I’d wait and see.” Show initiative, fairness, and care.

6. Don’t Neglect the Video Section

Practice speaking calmly and clearly to your webcam. Eye contact, pacing, and tone all matter. Don’t memorize scripts—just train your thinking process and delivery.

When Should You Start Preparing?

Ideally, give yourself 3–4 weeks before test day:

• Week 1: Learn the format and review sample answers
• Week 2: Start timed practice with feedback
• Week 3: Improve video delivery and weak spots
• Final days: Light review, stress management, and setup check

Final Thoughts

The CASPer test isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing who you are when faced with ethical, emotional, or interpersonal challenges. Schools want to see applicants who can think clearly, act fairly, and communicate with empathy under pressure.

By understanding the test format and practicing smart strategies, you’ll walk into your CASPer test ready—not to impress with perfection, but to express your values, reasoning, and professionalism with confidence.

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