Whether you are just learning about the CASPer test or actively preparing for it, chances are you have questions. Below are the 20 most frequently asked questions with clear, detailed answers to help you feel confident going in.
CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is an online situational judgment test created by researchers at McMaster University and administered by Acuity Insights. It measures non-academic qualities like empathy, ethics, communication, and professionalism through realistic scenarios. Unlike traditional interviews or standardized tests, CASPer focuses on how you think through interpersonal and ethical dilemmas rather than what you know.
CASPer is required by over 300 programs worldwide, primarily in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, education, and other health sciences. If you are applying to medical schools in Canada or the United States, there is a strong chance at least one of your target programs requires it. Always check each school's admissions page to confirm whether CASPer is mandatory, recommended, or optional for your application cycle.
The entire CASPer test takes approximately 90 to 110 minutes. It consists of two main sections: a typed section with 7 scenarios (3 questions each, 5 minutes per scenario) and a video section with 4 scenarios (2 questions each, 1 minute per response). There is also an optional break between sections. You should plan to set aside about two hours to complete the full test comfortably.
You can only take CASPer once per program type per application cycle. For example, if you take CASPer for medical school applications, that score applies to all medical programs you distribute it to for that cycle. You cannot retake it to try for a higher score within the same cycle. However, you can take CASPer again in a future application cycle, and only your most recent score will be used.
CASPer scores are reported to schools as quartiles: Q1 (bottom 25%), Q2, Q3, and Q4 (top 25%). Most competitive medical school applicants aim for Q3 or Q4. Some schools use CASPer as a hard cutoff, meaning a Q1 score could automatically disqualify you from further consideration. Others use it more holistically alongside your GPA, MCAT, and extracurriculars. A Q4 score gives you the strongest possible advantage.
CASPer is not hard in the way a knowledge-based exam is hard. There are no facts to memorize or equations to solve. The challenge comes from the time pressure: you have very limited time to read a scenario, process the ethical or interpersonal dilemma, and produce a thoughtful response. Many test-takers find the typed section particularly stressful because you need to write roughly 70 to 80 words per question in just five minutes for the entire scenario. Preparation and practice make a significant difference.
Each scenario is independently rated by a different trained evaluator from a diverse pool of community members and professionals. Raters score your responses on a scale of 1 to 9, looking at the depth of your reasoning, your consideration of multiple perspectives, and how well you demonstrate relevant competencies. Your scores are then aggregated and standardized into a quartile (Q1 through Q4) that is sent to your selected programs.
You should take CASPer as early as possible in your application cycle. Most programs have a deadline by which your CASPer score must be received, and results take about three weeks to process and distribute. Acuity Insights offers multiple test dates throughout the year. Check the specific deadlines for your target programs and pick a date that gives you at least three to four weeks of buffer before the earliest deadline. Taking it early also reduces stress during the busiest part of application season.
A Q1 score places you in the bottom 25% of test-takers and can seriously hurt your application. Some schools use CASPer as a screening tool, and a Q1 may result in your application being filtered out before anyone reviews your file. Other schools weigh CASPer alongside other components, so a Q1 might not be an automatic rejection but will still put you at a disadvantage. If you receive a Q1 and cannot retake CASPer within the same cycle, focus on strengthening other parts of your application.
Absolutely. While Acuity Insights states there is no way to "study" for CASPer in the traditional sense, research and experience show that structured practice significantly improves performance. Practicing with realistic scenarios helps you develop faster reasoning, better time management, and clearer communication under pressure. Learning frameworks for structuring your answers, building a bank of personal experiences, and practicing both typed and video responses all contribute to a stronger score.
No. Schools only receive your quartile score (Q1 through Q4). They do not see the specific scenarios you were given, the text you typed, or the video recordings you submitted. The scoring is handled entirely by Acuity Insights and their trained raters. This means schools evaluate you based on a standardized metric rather than subjective impressions of your individual answers.
Yes. CASPer is remotely proctored through your webcam. You are required to have your camera on throughout the entire test, and the system monitors for suspicious behavior. You must take the test alone in a quiet, private room. Acuity Insights uses a combination of automated monitoring and human review to ensure test integrity. Any evidence of cheating or external assistance may result in your score being voided.
You need a computer with a working webcam, microphone, and a stable internet connection. A keyboard is required for the typed section, and your microphone and camera are used for the video section. Acuity Insights recommends using Chrome or Firefox as your browser. Tablets, phones, and dual-monitor setups are not allowed. You should test your equipment using the system check tool provided on the Acuity Insights website well before your test date.
No. You are not allowed to use notes, textbooks, websites, or any external resources during the test. CASPer is designed to assess your genuine, in-the-moment reasoning and personal characteristics. Having pre-written answers or reference materials defeats the purpose of the assessment. Scratch paper is also not officially permitted, though policies may vary slightly. Always review the latest guidelines from Acuity Insights before your test.
If time runs out on a scenario, whatever you have written or recorded up to that point is automatically submitted. Incomplete responses are still scored, but they will likely receive lower marks because raters may find them underdeveloped or lacking depth. This is one of the biggest reasons time management is critical. In the typed section, many applicants struggle to answer all three questions within five minutes. Practicing under timed conditions is the best way to avoid running out of time.
CASPer results typically take about three weeks to be scored and distributed to your selected programs. You will not receive your exact quartile score directly. Instead, you receive a general performance indicator (such as whether you performed above or below average), while the detailed quartile score is sent only to your programs. Plan your test date accordingly so results arrive before your earliest application deadline.
No. Each school decides independently how much weight to give CASPer in their admissions process. Some schools use it as a hard cutoff, screening out anyone below a certain quartile before reviewing the rest of the application. Others incorporate it as one data point among many, weighing it alongside GPA, MCAT, personal statements, and interview performance. A few schools treat it as informational only. Research each of your target schools to understand how they use CASPer scores.
CASPer and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) share a similar philosophy: both use multiple independent scenarios scored by different raters to reduce bias. However, they differ in format. The MMI is an in-person or live virtual interview with actors or interviewers at stations, while CASPer is an online, self-paced test with typed and video responses. CASPer is typically taken earlier in the admissions process, often before interviews are offered. Many schools use both CASPer and an MMI at different stages of their evaluation.
CASPer evaluates nine core competencies that reflect the personal and professional qualities programs look for in applicants:
The base fee to take CASPer is approximately $80 USD (or $90 CAD), which covers the test itself. You then pay an additional distribution fee of about $10 to $15 per program you send your score to. Costs can vary slightly depending on your region and the current pricing set by Acuity Insights. Financial assistance is available for eligible applicants who demonstrate need. Check the Acuity Insights website for the most up-to-date pricing for your application cycle.
The best way to feel confident about CASPer is to experience it firsthand. CasperCoach gives you realistic scenarios, AI-powered feedback, and quartile estimates so you know exactly where you stand before test day.
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