CASPer Test Prep: The Complete Guide for Your CASPer Exam [2024]

The CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a widely used assessment that helps medical schools and other healthcare programs select well-rounded individuals who excel both academically and in their personal qualities. Provided by Acuity Insights, the CASPer test evaluates soft skills such as communication, empathy, professionalism, and problem-solving.

The CASPer test is a situational judgment test (SJT) in which you will be presented with various scenarios in video and text formats. You will need to respond with video-recorded and typed answers.

The test is divided into two parts:

1. Video responses
   You will be presented with 2 text-based scenarios and view 4 scenarios presented in video format.
   For each scenario, you will need to record a video answering 2 open-ended questions, one after the other.
   You’ll have 1 minute to record your response to each question.
2. Typed responses
   You will be presented with 3 text-based scenarios and 5 video-based scenarios.
   For each scenario, you will need to type responses to 3 open-ended questions, all of which will appear on the same screen.
   You’ll have 5 minutes to complete all 3 responses.

Though there is no time limit, the CASPer test usually takes between 90 and 110 minutes to complete, with a 10-minute break between the two sections.

Though there is no time limit, the CASPer test usually takes between 90 and 110 minutes to complete, with a 10-minute break between the two sections.

When answering CASPer test questions, it's essential to purposefully incorporate as many of the 10 key CASPer competencies as possible:

• Collaboration: Demonstrate how you would work with others and seek input, highlighting the importance of teamwork when applicable.
• Communication: Express your reasoning clearly and maintain transparency in your methods.
• Empathy: Illustrate your capacity to recognize and consider the feelings and perspectives of others, especially in emotionally sensitive situations.
• Equity: Explain how you would ensure fairness and treat everyone equally, even when their needs conflict.
• Ethics: Confront the ethical challenges presented in the scenario and articulate a principled position.
• Motivation: Convey your commitment to achieving the best possible outcome by stressing the issue's importance.
• Problem-solving: Describe the actionable steps to address or navigate the situation, highlighting your initiative and creativity.
• Professionalism: Illustrate how you would maintain your composure and professionalism under pressure while adjusting to obstacles.
• Resilience: Emphasize your capacity to recover from setbacks and modify your approach as needed, sharing strategies you use to manage stress and uncertainty, enabling you to provide clear and rational responses.
• Self-awareness: Consider your personal values, biases, and emotional responses, and explain how you would regulate your emotions and remain objective in challenging situations.

In your answer, purposely incorporate as many of the CASPer competencies as possible.

Begin by acknowledging that you won't rush to conclusions; instead, take your time to carefully consider all the different options and perspectives involved, even if the question seems to push you in a particular direction.
By thoughtfully integrating these competencies into your responses, you'll demonstrate a well-rounded approach that aligns with the qualities CASPer aims to assess.

Each of the 14 scenarios in the CASPer test is scored by a different independent rater, ensuring that a unique individual assesses each section.

Raters are instructed to overlook spelling and grammar errors, focusing exclusively on the substance of your responses. If you have a slower typing speed and don't complete your answers within the 5-minute limit, raters will still attempt to follow your line of thinking, and any bullet points or incomplete sentences will be considered in your score.

Raters do not have access to any personal details about you and are unaware of your performance on other sections of the test. They compare your responses to those of other test-takers for the same scenario, using a Likert scale that ranges from 1 (poor) to 9 (excellent).

Although the scoring system was updated for the 2022-2023 cycle, and the exact method has not been disclosed, the primary aim remains to evaluate how effectively applicants demonstrate social intelligence, professionalism, and critical reasoning.

The CASPer scores are standardized (Z-scores) to determine your percentile and quartile rankings. Although you won't receive your precise score, you will be given a quartile rank that shows how you performed relative to your peers.

The schools you applied to receive both your CASPer score and your percentile rank.

Here is the breakdown of quartiles:

• 25% of applicants fall into the first quartile (0-24 percentile)
• 25% of applicants fall into the second quartile (25-49 percentile)
• 25% of applicants fall into the third quartile (50-74 percentile)
• 25% of applicants fall into the fourth quartile (75-100 percentile)

To achieve the best possible score, it's essential to clearly articulate the reasoning behind your position on each issue. Raters are more focused on understanding your rationale than your specific stance.

Each school schedules its own specific dates for administering the CASPer test.

To find out the exact timing and location of your CASPer test, you will need to provide the relevant details on the Acuity Insights website.

By entering your information, you can access the precise schedule and venue for your test. This will ensure you have all the necessary details to prepare and attend the test as your chosen programs require.

Understanding the structure of the CASPer test is essential to effectively prepare for it. The test lasts between 90 and 110 minutes and consists of 14 scenarios divided into two main sections: video responses and typed responses. By familiarizing yourself with this format, you will know exactly what to expect and how to manage your time during the test.

Applicants who take practice tests generally perform better on the actual CASPer test. To prepare, complete as many 14-scenario practice tests that mimic the real experience and format. This will help you get used to the time constraints and improve your ability to quickly formulate your responses.

It's essential to double-check all your account information and test details to ensure a smooth test-taking experience. This includes confirming the test date, time, and time zone to prevent any last-minute issues.

Since the CASPer test is administered online, ensuring your computer setup meets the requirements is crucial. You will need a laptop or desktop computer running Windows or macOS, as smartphones and tablets are not supported and may face technical issues. Hybrid/2-in-1 devices and other operating systems like Linux or ChromeOS may also encounter problems. Ensure you use the latest version of Chrome or Firefox, as other browsers like Safari are not supported. Additionally, ensure you have a working webcam and microphone for the entire test duration and that your internet connection has download speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 2 Mbps.