The Casper test is something many students come across when applying to medical, nursing, or other health-related programs.
It is not like a regular test with right or wrong answers. Instead, it looks at how you think, make choices, and treat others in everyday situations.
These things are just as important as your grades when it comes to becoming a good doctor, nurse, or healthcare worker.
The Casper test medical school applicants take is designed to show how well you might handle tough or emotional situations as a future healthcare professional.
What is the Casper Test?
CASPer (short for Computer‑Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is an online situational judgment test designed to evaluate your soft skills, such as empathy, ethics, and professionalism, not your academic knowledge.
It was developed at McMaster University and has been used in medical school admissions since around 2010.
As of 2023, the test is administered by Acuity Insights (formerly Altus Assessments) as part of its broader suite of tools known as Casper Acuity, which also includes assessments like Duet, a values-alignment tool.
What Does It Measure?
The CASPer test evaluates personal and professional qualities that traditional academic scores cannot capture.
These key areas determine your readiness for people-focused careers.
- Ethical Decision Making: How you handle moral dilemmas and difficult situations.
- Communication Skills: Your ability to express ideas clearly and listen effectively.
- Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and responding to others’ emotions and needs.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: How you approach complex challenges and find solutions.
- Professionalism Standards: Your commitment to integrity and appropriate behavior.
These qualities help admissions committees see beyond your grades and test scores. The CASPer test reveals the human side of your application.
Who Requires it and How is It Used?
Many professional schools now require the CASPer test as part of their admissions process.
Medical schools, nursing programs, pharmacy schools, and veterinary colleges commonly use it to evaluate candidates. Some teacher education programs and other healthcare fields also require CASPer scores.
Schools use these results alongside academic transcripts and standardized test scores to get a complete picture of applicants.
The test helps admissions committees identify students who possess strong interpersonal skills and ethical reasoning abilities.
Registration & Cost for CASPer Test
Understanding CASPer test fees and the registration process helps you plan your application timeline and budget effectively.
| ITEM | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Test Fee (Base) | $85 USD (includes score distribution to up to 7 programs) |
| Additional Distributions | $18 USD each for every program beyond the initial 7 |
| Rescheduling Fee | $25 USD if rescheduled less than 3 days before the test date |
| Registration Deadline | At least 3 days before your chosen test date |
| Payment Methods | Credit card, debit card, or PayPal |
| Refund Policy | No refunds are available after registration |
| Test Frequency | Multiple dates available throughout the year |
Tip: Register early to secure your preferred test date and avoid last-minute stress. Calculate the total cost by adding the base fee plus distribution fees for each school requiring CASPer scores.
Who Administers the CASPER Test?
The Casper test is run by a company called Acuity Insights.
They are the official group that creates and manages the test. They make sure everything is fair, secure, and works well for all students.
Acuity Insights is also in charge of the test schedule, registration, and sending your scores to the schools you choose.
If you need help or have questions, their website is the best place to get correct and updated information.
Always register and get details directly from the official Acuity Insights website to avoid mistakes or scams.
How Does the Casper Test Work?
The CASPer test follows a structured format with video scenarios and typed responses.
Understanding each step helps you prepare effectively for test day.
Step 1: Technical Setup and Check-in
Complete identity verification and system requirements check. Test your webcam, microphone, and internet connection.
The proctoring software will monitor you throughout the entire exam to ensure test security. You’ll need a government-issued photo ID for verification.
Make sure your testing environment is quiet and well-lit before starting.
Step 2: Watch Video Scenarios
View short video clips showing realistic situations involving ethical dilemmas or interpersonal conflicts.
Each scenario presents complex situations without clear right or wrong answers, requiring thoughtful analysis. The videos typically last 1-2 minutes and feature professional actors.
Pay close attention to all details as you cannot replay the videos.
Step 3: Respond to Questions
Type your responses to three open-ended questions per scenario. You have five minutes total to answer all three questions for each video.
Focus on explaining your reasoning process clearly. There’s no minimum word count, but aim for thoughtful, complete responses.
Good typing skills help you express ideas within the time limit.
Step 4: Complete All Sections
Work through multiple video scenarios and question sets.
The entire test takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. You cannot pause, skip ahead, or return to previous sections. The test includes 12-14 scenarios total, with short breaks between sections.
Stay focused and manage your time carefully throughout.
Step 5: Submit and Finish
Review your responses if time permits, then submit your completed test.
Scores are typically available to schools within three weeks of your test date through the CASPer distribution system. Once submitted, you cannot change your answers or retake the same test cycle.
Schools will receive your quartile ranking rather than a numerical score.
How to Prepare for The Casper Test?
You do not need to memorize facts or study from a textbook for the Casper test, but preparing the right way is still very important.
Start by learning how the test works and what kind of questions you will see. This will help you feel more comfortable on test day.
It is a good idea to practice with sample questions from the official Casper website.
These practice questions will help you get used to typing or speaking your answers in a short amount of time.
Think about how you would handle real-life situations, like helping a classmate, facing a problem at work, or dealing with unfair treatment.
Summing It Up
Learning and growing take time, and every small step matters.
When you stay curious and open to new ideas, you give yourself the chance to improve and move forward.
It is normal to feel unsure sometimes, but what is important is to keep going and not give up.
Mistakes are part of the process and help you get better.
Keep putting in the effort, believe in yourself, and stay focused on your goals.
Even the smallest progress can lead to big changes over time.
