How to Prepare for the Casper Test

I. What is the Casper Test?

The Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (Casper) test is a situational judgement test where you are presented with various scenarios or prompts, and must respond to them in the form of a timed text or video recording response. The Casper is required by the admissions committee for many of your desired careers, including various optometry, dentistry, physician’s assistant, physiotherapy, and medical schools (for osteopathic medicine and allopathic medicine schools).

The purpose of the Casper test is to measure your situational judgment and critical thinking, while evaluating your personal characteristics (professionalism, ethics, critical thinking, communication skills, and personal empathy). The test itself spans about 65-85 minutes, and it includes 2 main sections – one for typed text responses and one for video recording responses. Due to the length and extent of the exam, how you prepare for it will affect your performance and chances of getting into your dream school. In this article, we will discuss how to prepare for the Casper test.

II. Casper Test Format and Structure 

The Casper test is divided into two major sections: the typed response section and the video response section. It is important to understand the test format to know what to expect on test day.

In the typed-response section, you will be presented with a series of video-based scenarios or written prompts. After each scenario, you will have around five minutes to type answers to three follow-up questions. These questions are designed to evaluate your ability to think critically, demonstrate empathy, and show professionalism. We suggest you practice with sample questions beforehand as it can help you become more comfortable with your typing skills.

In the video-response section, you will record yourself via your webcam while answering prompts. You’ll typically have one minute to prepare and one minute to record your response. Because this section involves real-time performance, it’s important to practice speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact with the camera, and staying calm under pressure. For this section, we recommend doing a practice recording before test day can help reduce anxiety. You can choose to do the test anywhere you want, and you will be monitored by your computer webcam and microphone during the entirety of the test.

The Casper test usually consists of 4 video-response sections and 7 typed-response sections. The actual test will last 65-85 minutes. Since the Casper is an online situational judgment test, you can take it at home. However, make sure you’ve reviewed the Casper test logistics, including system requirements, internet stability, and webcam functionality, well in advance. A stable environment without distractions is key to performing well.

III. How is the Casper Test Scored?

The real Casper test is scored very differently from the standardized academic tests that you are probably already familiar with. Rather than producing a numerical grade or percentage, the Casper test format uses a scoring model that relies on human ratings. Each scenario you encounter on the test is reviewed independently by a rater. This means that no single individual will ever grade your entire exam. This is an important design feature to ensure fairness to reduce any possibility of bias during the grading process. In particular, by distributing your scenarios among multiple Casper raters, the system guarantees that one person’s perspective or expectations cannot disproportionately affect your overall performance.

When scoring your responses, raters are not looking for the “correct answer” versus a “wrong answer”. Instead, they assess your ability to demonstrate key competencies that are highly valued in professional and healthcare fields. These include professionalism, ethical decision-making, communication skills, critical thinking, and empathy. In other words, your score reflects how well you can reason through complex situations, explain your perspective clearly, and show awareness of the feelings and needs of others.

Both the written and video Casper questions contribute to the final score. The raters evaluate not only what you say, but also how you say it, including the tone, clarity, and structure of your response. For the written section, organization and depth of reasoning are especially important, while for the video section, your delivery, body language, and ability to communicate under time pressure also carry weight. Importantly, the scoring system is holistic, which means that raters consider the overall quality of your answer rather than deducting points for small mistakes or omissions.

At the end of the process, your results are not presented as a numerical grade. Instead, the Casper results are in quartiles. This means your overall performance is compared to that of other test-takers and placed into one of four categories. Being placed in the fourth quartile indicates that you performed better than at least 75 percent of your peers, while the first quartile suggests that your score was lower than most. Quartile rankings provide schools with a clear sense of where you stand in relation to other applicants.

It is also important to recognize how admissions committees use these scores. The Casper test is not meant to replace academic measures such as GPA or standardized test results. Instead, it functions as a complementary assessment that highlights qualities which cannot be measured through other statistics. For example, McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine uses the test as a crucial part of its selection process. Since admission to McMaster’s MD program is highly competitive, the Casper score provides an additional lens through which the committee can assess applicants’ suitability for a career in medicine. Other professional programs across Canada, the United States, and beyond have followed suit, incorporating Casper results to ensure they admit candidates who demonstrate not only intellectual ability but also the interpersonal and ethical strengths necessary in patient-centered professions.

IV. Should You Study for the Casper Test? 

One of the most common questions asked by applicants is whether or not to prepare for the Casper test. Because the exam is designed to measure your situational judgment and personal characteristics rather than academic knowledge, some students believe that preparation is unnecessary. However, while you cannot study for the Casper in the traditional sense, such as memorizing facts, formulas, or definitions, you can prepare through sample questions. The key to acing test day is to familiarize yourself with the test’s structure, practice how to articulate your thoughts under time constraints, and reflect on your own values and professional qualities.

Another important reason to prepare is that many applicants underestimate the difficulty of articulating their thoughts clearly within the strict time limits. Practicing sample Casper scenarios allows you to develop a rhythm in your responses and ensures that you do not freeze or run out of time mid-answer. It also gives you the chance to reflect on how your personal values align with the qualities admissions committees are seeking, such as empathy, communication skills, and critical thinking.

A great starting point is the official Acuity Insights website, where you will register for the Casper test and create an Acuity Insights account as it will allow you to familiarize yourself with Casper test logistics. Once logged in, you can access a free Casper test prep that simulates the exam’s format and timing. Completing this practice run is strongly recommended, as it helps you become comfortable with the platform and reduces test-day anxiety. By doing the sample test, you gain insight into the pacing required and the type of responses that are expected, which can significantly improve your performance. Another popular study tool aside from Acuity Insights is Booster Prep, which is an online platform designed to help students prepare for the Casper test. What sets it apart is its use of AI to provide real-time feedback and mock Casper scores before your test date. When you practice answering questions through typed responses or practice recordings, the AI evaluates your responses instantly, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and alignment with Casper’s scoring criteria.

Ultimately, while you cannot predict the exact scenarios you will be asked to respond to, you can prepare yourself with sample responses. Think of it like an interview as you cannot rehearse every single question you might be asked, but you can practice your communication style, self-awareness, and ability to think on your feet. Approaching the Casper test with this mindset will give you a significant advantage!

V. When Will You Receive Your Casper Results? 

If you’re applying to a College of Medicine or other competitive programs, one of the most common questions is: “When will I know how I did on CASPer?” The wait can feel long, but typically, the registered marks are released to schools within 2-3 weeks after your test date. Once scoring is complete, your results are sent directly to the medical schools you selected during registration, so you don’t need to worry about forwarding them yourself.

Casper is different from traditional exams because it doesn’t give a single numerical score. Instead, the Casper scenarios are evaluated across multiple scenarios, and medical schools often see results in percentiles or detailed evaluation rubrics. The entire test allows admissions committees to understand how you handle ethical dilemmas, show empathy, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and communicate effectively. 

For applicants, quartile scores become available approximately one month after taking the test. These quartile scores give insight into how your performance compares to other test-takers, helping you understand where you stand competitively.

Keep in mind that processing times can vary depending on testing volume and each school’s review schedule, so some applicants may see notifications slightly earlier or later than the standard window. While waiting, it’s a great opportunity to focus on other parts of your medical school application, like personal statements, recommendation letters, or interview preparation, so you’re ready to move forward once your Casper results and quartile scores are available!'

VI. Casper Practice Question Examples 

Preparing for Casper can feel daunting, but practicing with sample Casper questions is one of the best ways to get comfortable with the test format and the type of thinking it evaluates. Here are some examples of questions you might encounter, along with things to consider when answering:

Scenario 1:

You notice a classmate frequently arriving late to group meetings, which is affecting the team’s progress.

• Question: How would you handle this situation?
• Things to consider: Think about communication skills, professionalism, empathy, and finding a solution that balances accountability with support.

Scenario 2:

During a clinical placement, you see a colleague making a mistake that could harm a patient, but they ask you not to tell anyone.

• Question: What would you do and why?
• Things to consider: Patient safety, ethical obligations, honesty, reporting protocols, and maintaining trust while addressing the issue responsibly.

Scenario 3:

A friend confides in you about feeling extremely stressed and overwhelmed by their academic workload.

• Question: How would you respond to support them effectively?
• Things to consider: Empathy, active listening, problem-solving, providing resources, and encouraging healthy coping strategies.

Scenario 4:

You witness someone being treated unfairly because of their background or beliefs.

• Question: What actions would you take in this situation?
• Things to consider: Advocacy, fairness, assessing the situation, maintaining safety, and promoting respect and inclusion.

Scenario 5:

You are working in a customer service position, and a customer becomes upset because their order was delayed.

• Question: How would you handle the situation to ensure the customer feels heard and the problem is resolved?
• Things to consider: Empathy, clear communication, problem-solving, de-escalation techniques, and maintaining professionalism under pressure.

VII. Conclusion

Preparing for the Casper test doesn’t have to be intimidating. Think of it as an opportunity to showcase your critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal skills which are qualities that can’t be captured by grades or test scores alone. There are resources like Acuity Insights and Booster Prep that make preparation more strategic. Practice tests and AI feedback help you understand your strengths, identify areas to improve, and get comfortable responding under time pressure. Simulating both written and video responses ensures that you can handle any scenario with clarity and professionalism.

While waiting for your results, focus on other aspects of your application, such as personal statements, recommendation letters, or interview prep. Approaching Casper with deliberate practice, self-awareness, and confidence will allow you to demonstrate the qualities admissions committees value most: empathy, judgment, and effective communication.

This way, your preparation is purposeful, your performance is polished, and you leave the test knowing you’ve represented yourself as a strong, capable candidate.