How to Answer CASPer Questions: Strategies, Structures, and Examples

How to Answer CASPer Questions: Strategies, Structures, and Examples

The CASPer test doesn’t just measure what you say—it reveals how you think. Every question is a chance to show your empathy, ethical reasoning, and professionalism under pressure. But knowing what to say is only half the battle. The way you structure your response, manage time, and express your ideas can make a major difference.

Whether you're preparing for medicine, nursing, teaching, or another people-focused profession, this guide will help you approach CASPer questions with confidence. Let’s break down how to answer effectively—step by step.

Understand the Core Types of CASPer Questions

CASPer scenarios typically fall into 4 main categories:

1. Ethical Dilemmas

You're asked to navigate a situation involving fairness, conflict of interest, or questionable behavior. These scenarios test your judgment and sense of responsibility.

Example: You see a colleague taking credit for someone else's work. How do you respond?

2. Interpersonal Conflict

You’re placed in the middle of a disagreement or tension between others, and asked how you would handle it. These questions assess communication skills and emotional intelligence.

Example: Two teammates are arguing and refusing to collaborate. What would you do?

3. Professional Boundaries and Integrity

You're asked how you would act when expectations or conduct are unclear—especially in power dynamics or workplace settings.

Example: A client offers you a gift after a session. How would you handle this?

4. Reflection and Self-Awareness

You're asked to describe a personal experience, usually involving failure, disagreement, or growth.

Example: Tell us about a time you received negative feedback. How did you respond?

Knowing the type of question you’re answering helps you apply the right structure and mindset.

Use Reliable Structures to Organize Your Response

Time pressure is one of the hardest parts of CASPer. That’s why using a proven structure can help you stay focused and hit key points without rambling.

Here are three frameworks that work well across scenarios:

SPIES (Stakeholders, Problem, Implications, Ethical principles, Solution)
Great for ethical dilemmas or gray-area decisions.
Example breakdown:

• Stakeholders: Who’s affected?
• Problem: What’s the issue?
• Implications: What are the risks or consequences?
• Ethical principles: What values apply (e.g., fairness, confidentiality)?
• Solution: What would you do, and why?

PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point again)
Works for opinion-based or reflective questions.
Example:

• Point: I believe open communication is the best first step.
• Reason: It helps reduce misunderstandings early on.
• Example: In my last group project, I encouraged teammates to share concerns before they escalated.
• Point again: That’s why I’d start with honest, respectful conversation.

STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Perfect for reflection questions or personal stories.
Example:

• Situation: I once missed a deadline in a group project.
• Task: I had to own up and fix the delay.
• Action: I contacted my teammates, apologized, and worked overtime to catch up.
• Result: We finished on time, and I learned how to better manage my commitments.

Using a consistent structure helps your ideas flow and makes your answer easier for raters to understand.

Prioritize Empathy and Action

Strong CASPer answers do two things well:

1. Acknowledge the human side of the situation
2. Offer a clear, practical response

That means balancing emotional intelligence with decision-making. Even if you're unsure what the "right" answer is, you can show maturity by:

• Recognizing how others might feel
• Taking initiative while staying respectful
• Avoiding extremes (e.g., blame or inaction)

Example:
If a colleague is underperforming, don’t jump to reporting them. Instead, show that you would try to understand what’s going on, speak to them first if appropriate, and escalate only if the issue affects others or repeats.

Keep It Simple and Direct

Big words and complex sentences don’t earn extra points. In fact, they often get in the way of clarity.

Instead:

• Use short paragraphs
• Stick to one idea per sentence
• Choose everyday language that anyone can understand
• Avoid filler phrases like “I would maybe kind of try to…” — be clear and confident

Good example:
“I would speak to them privately to understand their perspective before taking further steps.”

Weaker version:
“I might perhaps attempt to initiate a preliminary discussion depending on the overall context and severity.”

Practice Thinking Fast—and Finishing Answers

Time management is crucial. In the typed section, you get 3.5 minutes to answer two questions per each scenarios (Total 7 scenarios). In the video section, you get 1 minute to answer two questions per each scenarios (Total 4 scenarios).

Use this strategy:

• Typed questions: Aim for 4-5 sentences per question. Don’t spend the full time on question 1—leave room for questions 2.
• Video responses: Practice getting to your main point in the first 20 seconds, then expand with an example or reflection.

Practicing with a timer will help you finish your thoughts calmly instead of rushing—or running out of time.

Mini Scenario + Response Example

Scenario: A coworker consistently arrives late, affecting your team’s performance. What would you do?

Response (using SPIES):

I’d start by considering all stakeholders—our team, the late colleague, and our supervisor. The core issue is how the lateness impacts workflow and team morale. It’s important to approach this with empathy, as there could be valid reasons. I’d speak to the coworker privately to check in and share how it’s affecting the team. If the problem continued, I’d suggest a team meeting or involve our manager if needed. The goal is to support accountability while maintaining trust.

What works:

• Acknowledges others’ feelings
• Avoids assumptions
• Offers a clear, professional action plan

Final Tips for Answering CASPer Questions

• Practice with a variety of question types
• Record yourself and review how you sound
• Focus on empathy, clarity, and structure
• Avoid memorizing scripts—flexible thinking is more valuable
• Always answer all parts of each question, even briefly

Conclusion

Answering CASPer questions well doesn’t mean being perfect. It means showing that you think critically, care about others, and can act responsibly in difficult situations. With the right strategies, structures, and a bit of focused practice, you can approach any CASPer station with clarity and confidence.

Learn more about CASPer test on Myls Learn and start practicing CASPer test on Myls Interview.