CASPer Test Guide 2025: Everything You Need to Know

The CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a situational judgment test used by over 300 medical, nursing, pharmacy, and health sciences programs worldwide. Here is everything you need to know to understand and prepare for it.

What Is the CASPer Test?

CASPer is an online, open-response situational judgment test developed by researchers at McMaster University and now administered by Acuity Insights. Unlike the MCAT, it does not test scientific knowledge. Instead, it evaluates your judgment, empathy, ethics, and professionalism through realistic scenarios about everyday interpersonal and ethical dilemmas.

CASPer Test Format

  • 14 scenarios total across two sections
  • Video section: 4 scenarios, 2 questions each, 1 minute to record a verbal response per question
  • Typed section: 7 scenarios, 3 questions each, 5 minutes per scenario to type responses
  • Total duration: approximately 90 to 110 minutes
  • Delivered online, proctored remotely through your webcam

The 9 CASPer Competencies

Every CASPer scenario is designed to assess one or more of these nine core competencies:

Collaboration

Working effectively with others and respecting differing perspectives

Communication

Conveying information clearly and listening attentively

Empathy

Understanding and valuing others' emotions and experiences

Fairness

Recognizing and addressing disparities and advocating for equity

Ethics

Applying moral reasoning to make fair, responsible decisions

Motivation

Demonstrating commitment, drive, and sense of purpose

Problem Solving

Analyzing complex situations to find practical solutions

Resilience

Remaining composed and effective under stress and setbacks

Self-Awareness

Understanding your own thoughts, behaviors, and their impact on others

How CASPer Is Scored

Each scenario is scored by a different rater drawn from a diverse pool of trained community members and professionals. Raters score your responses on a scale of 1 to 9, evaluating the depth of your reasoning, how well you considered all stakeholders, and how you demonstrated the relevant competencies. There is no single "correct" answer. Your final score is standardized to a quartile (Q1 to Q4) that is shared with schools you apply to.

Which Schools Require CASPer?

Over 300 programs across Canada, the United States, Australia, and internationally now require CASPer. Key schools include the University of Toronto, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Western University, Howard University, Tulane University, Wake Forest University, and many more.

How to Prepare for CASPer

  1. Practice structured responses using frameworks (identify the dilemma, consider all stakeholders, propose a nuanced solution)
  2. Study the 9 competencies and learn to recognize which ones a scenario is testing
  3. Practice timed typed responses (you get roughly 80 words per question in the typed section)
  4. Record yourself answering video scenarios and review your delivery
  5. Read real CASPer scenarios and compare your response to strong model answers
  6. Build a "story bank" of personal experiences that demonstrate each competency

Practice with CasperCoach

CasperCoach offers 30+ realistic scenarios, AI-powered feedback, video analysis, and a ranking system that tells you exactly which quartile your response falls in, compared to other applicants.

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