Further Education
Admission tests
CASPer®
What is CASPer®?
CASPer® (Computer–based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is an admissions test that assesses interpersonal and non–cognitive skills like communication, collaboration, interpersonal, ethical–decision making, empathy, compassion, integrity, etc. through a scenario–based format. The scenarios are largely ethical in nature and the questions asked gauge your personal attributes and characteristics using concrete examples of real–world situations.
CASPer® is not a knowledge–based test.
Who uses CASPer®?
CASPer® is increasingly being used by many professional programs, and is common health–related programs such as medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, and more. Programs can add CASPer® to their list of requirements for any application cycle, so check the information for the year of your application cycle.
How do I find out if I need CASPer®?
There are two ways to find out if you need to take CASPer® for your application(s):
- the admissions website for the program(s) that you are applying to will list CASPer® as an application component, and
- takecasper.com lists every program and school that requires CASPer® with the appropriate test dates.
What is the CASPer® testing process like?
CASPer® is a computer–based online test, meaning you can take this test in any environment with a reliable internet connection and minimal distractions. The test is 90 minutes in length and is comprised of 10–12 sections. Each section will present a video or written scenario. You can only watch the video or read the written passage once per scenario. Following each scenario, applicants are required to type out an answer three questions in five minutes. Each response is graded by a different marker, so 10–12 people mark your CASPer® test.
Very few schools are explicit about the possible ways that CASPer® scores are used in their admission decisions.
How many times do I need to take the test?
You will need to take the test at least once for every year you apply, as your test scores are only valid for one year.
Generally, the content of the CASPer® test is unique to each program type and country, so you may need to take the test more than once in a cycle if you are applying to multiple program types. However, if you are applying to the professions of dentistry, medicine and optometry in Canada you will write the test once during an admissions cycle. If you are applying to both Canadian and US medical schools, you need to write the US and Canadian CASPer® test.
How can I prepare for CASPer®?
There are many different ways you could prepare yourself for the CASPer® test. There isn’t one right way to prepare for this or any other admissions test. But in general, exposing yourself to the testing format, familiarizing yourself with relevant content, and finding an approach that works for you so you can structure your thoughts and move through the content quickly are key to doing your best.
Check the Test Prep page of CASPer®’s website for their tips to prepare for your test day.
You can test out some common strategies and see which ones help you to best organize your thoughts and make sure that you’re addressing all the questions.
Prep & Test Tips
If you are looking for more specific tips and tricks to help you prepare and be successful writing CASPer®, think about some combination of these options:
- Create a study guide to refer to during the test. Use a format that will be helpful for the way your brain works.
- Practice recording brief notes during CASPer® to assist with the follow–up questions as the scenario (i.e., the video or written scenario) is only available once.
- If you feel you have the time, read all 3 questions before answering any of them to maximize the content of your responses.
- Understand the core competencies of your field and reflect those aspects of your personality where they overlap with questions being asked.
- Know yourself and how you will respond to a wide range of situations. Understanding where your biases lie will help you see where you might be missing a relevant perspective.
- Research some of the basics of the Canadian health care system and current health–related issues (e.g., current mental health conversations, Medical Assistance in Dying, the opoid crisis, etc.)
- Prepare for questions related to emotional intelligence and ethical issues that may challenge your perspective.
- Read books and other online resources that cover ethics in healthcare and expose you to different ways of analyzing difficult situations.
- CASPer® is similar to an online version of MMI–style interviews. You can use MMI–type questions to practice for CASPer® and time yourself for 5 minutes while typing out answers. Here are some MMI resources that you can use:
- Timed MMI interview practice: http://obtain.github.io/mmi/
- Sample MMI interview questions: https://multipleminiinterview.com/mmi-questions/
If you’re not sure where to start, drop by the Centre for Career Action library in the Tatham Centre.
How should I format my responses?
There isn’t one right format for a CASPer® response, but finding a format or strategy that works well for you can help you respond effectively and avoid getting bogged down in organizational details that have little bearing on how your response is scored. Test out different options and see which works best for you and the way your brain likes to organize information. Here’s one example:
Strategies
Here’s one recommended format on how to approach CASPer®:
- Understand your role in the scenario and the details that were presented in the scenario. To facilitate this, it could helpful to write brief notes while viewing/reading the scenarios.
- Use facts given from the scenario in your answers. It is very important to state what information was missing from the scenario. The questions are often misleading or missing important information.
- Try to identify assumptions and/or missing information from the scenario and clarify what information you think you’re missing.
- In your answer indicate the people directly and indirectly involved and the impact the scenario will have on all involved (e.g., student, professor, university, community, parents).
- Determine the problem to be solved in the scenario and do your best to speak directly to it.
- State the option(s) you see for action in the scenario.
- Present an ethical example that causes the least amount of harm to all involved.
Due to the limited time to answer each question it may be helpful to use this format:
- 1st sentence: identify and summarize the problem; state what is missing from the scenario.
- 2nd and 3rd sentences: show all sides of the issue and the potential consequences. CASPer® is testing your ability to explore ethical issues.
- Final sentence: state your decision on the matter and provide your reasoning.
Are there test prep courses for CASPer®?
There are companies that offer CASPer® prep courses; however, UWaterloo students that provided feedback after writing CASPer® do not think they are necessary, nor do Admission Directors. At minimum, it will be helpful to understand the CASPer® format and strategies on how to write it.
Should you decide that practice and preparation are useful for you, check out the preparation program supported by CASPer® here.
What kinds of questions will they ask?
Generally, they’re asking reflective questions about your approach or action–oriented response to a specific scenario. The scenarios are ethical in nature, meaning there is no one right answer and typically multiple perspectives to be considered. The scenarios and following questions may or may not be health–related, but they certainly will relate to your ability to analyze a complex situation and communicate with others. Here are some examples to start:
Examples of CASPer® sections, presented at McMaster Medical School Information sessions
Example 1
Video shows two people arguing about a convicted pedophile, John, who will be released soon from jail and will be living in their neighbourhood. Do you agree with this decision to release John?
Questions:
- What is your decision and why?
- What could the community do to ensure safety if the judge will not allow John’s address to be published?
- Provide a list of convicted offenses, if any, for which you would want his address released to the public and defend your choices.
Example 2
Personal Descriptor CASPer® example: Consider the experiences you have and insight gained from these experiences that led you to believe that you would be a good physician.
Questions:
- Outside of a medicine/healthcare environment, what experience do you think every new med student should have before entering med school?
- What experience do you wish you had the opportunity to participate in?
- What experience have you had that required you to demonstrate the ability to advocate for others?
Example 3
Video of Head of Athletic Department talking to a mother who was complaining about her child not being selected for a team. Mother’s question at the end of the scenario was “Are you going to continue to allow this?”
Questions:
- What would you say to the parent?
- What issues do you need to consider?
- If additional funding is provided to sports, this will cut funding to theatre clubs. How do you justify this?
Example 4
Personal Descriptor CASPer® example: Talk about a stressful situation you have encountered.
Follow–up questions:
- Describe the situation and how you overcame it.
- What did you learn from the situation and how might you respond differently now?
- What will you do if one of your classmates is having difficulty coping with stress?
Can I get access to sample questions from previous tests?
Yes, it is possible to access question banks with CASPer® scenarios and questions to aid in your preparation beyond what’s available on the CASPer® website itself. The strength of third–party resources and their proximity to actual CASPer® scenarios depends highly on the specific resource and the extent to which the banks get updated each application cycle.
Unlike the MCAT, it’s not necessary to make use of extensive question banks to be successful, and these resources can be costly. If this option doesn’t work for you, that’s okay! Think about using some of the other strategies mentioned here. If you still have questions about the best method for you, you can connect with a Further Education Advisor in a drop–in to start a conversation.