In this article, we will discuss common mistakes to avoid when taking the Casper test.

The Casper test, or Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal
Characteristics, is a virtual exam where test-takers must respond to a set of scenarios
through text or video responses. The CASPer is required by many professional schools
for their admissions process, including optometry, dentistry, physician’s assistant,
physiotherapy, and medical schools. The CASPer test assesses skills like situational
judgment and critical thinking, while evaluating personal characteristics including
professionalism, ethics, communication skills, and personal empathy.

The test itself spans about 2 hours and involves 2 main sections – one for typed text
responses and one for video-recorded responses. Due to the structure and nature of the
test, it would be a good idea to take some time to adequately prepare. Even after
reviewing and knowing what to expect, there are still some common mistakes that can
happen on the exam. In this article, we will cover 8 common mistakes to avoid when
taking the Casper test.

1. Neglecting to Practice

As the Casper test evaluates non-cognitive skills like communication and situational
judgement, some may argue that you cannot practice and prepare for the test.
However, it would be a mistake to show up to the exam with no prior preparation. At the
very least, it is important to figure out what to expect and become familiar with the test
format. This will help boost your confidence on the exam day, especially within such
strict time limits. Make sure to take some time to do practice questions and reflect on
common themes like conflict resolution and teamwork, so you are ready to use your
critical thinking skills on the test. For more information on the test, feel free to read our
articles on How to Prepare for the Casper Test and What to Expect on Casper Test Day.
For resources on practice questions, CasperBooster is an online platform that comes
with practice scenarios and questions, as well as an AI component that provides almost
immediate, comprehensive feedback on your responses. At the same time, you can
also request for manual grading from the CasperBooster team – you can complete any
practice test, and you will be notified within 3-5 business days with a feedback
evaluation if your score falls within the 4th quartile. For more support and supplemental
learning, the program also comes with a study schedule and notes on various
situational topics, along with a question bank to review your understanding. The
membership is free, but you can upgrade to a premium membership for $299 USD. The
premium membership lasts 45 days, and involves unlimited access to CasperBooster
AI, unlimited and faster manual feedback, and access to more practice questions. For
even more practice, check out our articles on Free Casper Test Resources (2024) and Casper Test Sample Practice Questions (2024).

2. Build on Practice Questions

On top of doing practice questions, you also want to make sure that you are improving
and practicing as closely as possible to the real exam as you can. With many practice
questions available online, you can easily find enough questions to simulate a full-length
“practice test”, which will help build up your testing endurance and familiarize yourself
with the test day format. Even more, you can ask around for peers or other test-takers
to provide feedback on your responses. In return, you can provide feedback on their
practice responses, which would provide more mutual insight and benefit for test
preparation.

3. Overthinking Responses

During the test, you are only given 5 minutes to answer 3 different questions
corresponding to a certain scenario. This tight time constraint can be very overwhelming
and stress-inducing, especially when test-takers feel pressured to come up with the
“perfect” response. This anxious response can feed back into itself and causing the test-
taker to feel more flustered, leading to time wasted and incomplete responses. To
prevent this from happening, practice questions would also be a great solution. In
addition, try to focus on the clarity and structure of your responses. This is another
practiced skill but for extra resources, check out our article on Casper Strategies to gain some insight on the various question types on the exam and how to best approach each one. Focusing on the structure of your response will also provide a framework for you to fall back on in times of stress. Remember that the responses
should be clear yet comprehensive in what you are trying to express.

4. Poor Time Management

As mentioned earlier, the Casper exam is very fast paced. You are only given a 5-
minute time period to complete 3 separate questions, so time management is critical.
During the test, try to prioritize and address the most important parts of the question first
before adding on additional details. If the time runs out, you will have at least addressed
the main points instead of leaving some questions incomplete. On top of being able to
think on the spot and come up with a clear answer, you must also be able to type quick
enough for the typed-response portion of the test. Make sure to take some time to
practice your typing speed, as you do not want your typing abilities to impede your
performance on the test.

5. Writing Generic Answers

During the Casper test, try to avoid vague statements like “I would handle this
professionally.” Instead, be specific – or in other words: show, not tell. Try to provide
specific examples of actions you would take or values guiding your decisions, or even
potential “if... then...” statements. This will demonstrate your thought process more
clearly. Even more, try to avoid using cliché sayings or a simple “yes” or “no” without
any reasoning. You want to have reasons to back up your thinking to show the
evaluators that you have considered all of the parties involved in the situation, as well
as who is directly and indirectly impacted. For more tips on the written response portion
of the test, feel free to read our article on “How Much to Write in a Casper Response”.

6. Skipping Reflection Practice

Besides situational judgement skills, the Casper scenarios also test your ability to reflect
on personal experiences or observations. Failing to prepare for these reflective
questions can result in unstructured or random answers that you come up with on the
spot. Again, you cannot prepare for the exact questions on the exam, but reflecting on
past experiences and how they have shaped your interpersonal and problem-solving
skills should give you some good ideas to use if needed. A good way to reflect is to
create a list of past extracurricular commitments and think about the times where you
demonstrated leadership, resolved conflict, or learned from your mistakes.

7. Underestimating Technical Preparation

As the Casper test is entirely virtual, preventing technical difficulties will help reduce the
amount of stress on exam day. The Altus Suite website allows test-takers to run a
system requirements check to prevent any potential technical issues. You can also
reduce unnecessary stress during the exam by making sure you have all the right
equipment. This includes a quiet, well-lit environment without any distractions, as well
as a reliable computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet.

8. Focusing on the “Right” Answer

Remember that the Casper test evaluates how you think, so there is no single right
answer! Of course, you want to approach your responses with empathy-driven
reasoning and show consideration for all parties involved in the situation. But instead of
fixating on trying to predict the “right” answer, try to focus on explaining your thought
process and reasoning behind your answer instead. This way, you can demonstrate
ethical reasoning and your ability to compare contrasting perspectives. Doing so should
help improve your performance on the exam. Keep in mind that this test is an
opportunity to showcase the interpersonal qualities that make you an ideal candidate for
your desired program, instead of seeing if you can figure out the “correct” answer.

Conclusion

The Casper exam is a time-constrained and challenging exam that evaluates how you
approach challenges. As mentioned earlier, there is no single right answer but it is
important to express yourself clearly while showcasing your critical thinking and ethical
reasoning skills. With proper preparation and reflection, you will be able to come up with
thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your interpersonal and ethical
skills. Hopefully with the points highlighted, you will be able to avoid the most common
mistakes and excel on the Casper test. Good luck!

For more information on the Casper test, check out our other articles on: What Schools Require the Casper Test, How to Prepare for the Casper Test, How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the Casper, What to Expect on Casper Test Day, How Much to Write in a Casper Response, and other Free Casper Test Resources (2024). If you have already taken the test and did not do as well as you had hoped, it is okay if you need to retake it. We have articles on What Does a Bad Casper Score Mean and How to Improve your Casper Test Score – make
sure to check them out as well!

April H.

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