The Casper test is one of the most misunderstood parts of the medical school admissions process. Unlike the MCAT, which tests scientific knowledge, Casper measures something harder to study for: who you are as a person.
This guide covers everything — what it is, how it's scored, who needs it, and exactly how to prepare.
What is the Casper Test?
Casper (Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal characteristics) is an online situational judgment test (SJT) developed by Acuity Insights (formerly Altus Suite). It was created to assess the non-academic traits that predict success in healthcare and professional programs — traits that GPA and standardized tests simply can't measure.
The test presents you with realistic scenarios involving ethical dilemmas, interpersonal conflict, and professional judgment. You respond in real time, under time pressure, with no ability to go back and revise.
Casper is required by:
- ~27 US medical schools (MD and DO programs)
- Nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and physician assistant programs
- Several Canadian medical schools
- Graduate programs in education, social work, and public health
What Does the Casper Test Look Like?
The exam runs approximately 65–85 minutes and contains 14 sections:
- 4 video response sections — watch a short video scenario, then record a 60-second video answer to 1 question
- 10 typed response sections — read a scenario, then answer 2–3 open-ended questions in writing
Each scenario is completely different. You might be presented with a colleague acting unethically, a patient in distress, a team conflict, or a personal ethical dilemma. The questions ask what you would do, why, and how you'd handle the people involved.
Timing Breakdown
| Section Type | Scenarios | Time Per Question |
|---|---|---|
| Video response | 4 | 60 seconds to respond |
| Typed response | 10 | ~5 minutes per section |
You cannot pause, skip, or return to previous questions.
What Does Casper Actually Measure?
Acuity Insights designed Casper to evaluate 9 core competencies:
- Collaboration — working effectively with others toward shared goals
- Communication — expressing ideas clearly and listening actively
- Empathy — understanding others' perspectives and emotions
- Equity — treating people fairly regardless of background
- Ethics — acting with integrity and navigating moral complexity
- Motivation — demonstrating genuine passion for your field
- Problem-solving — thinking critically under pressure
- Resilience — maintaining composure and learning from setbacks
- Self-awareness — understanding your own limitations and biases
No single scenario tests just one competency. A good answer typically demonstrates several at once.
How is the Casper Test Scored?
Each of your responses is evaluated by a different trained rater — a real human, not an algorithm. This means a single Casper exam may be reviewed by up to 9–14 different raters across your responses.
Raters score each response on a 9-point scale. Scores are aggregated and converted into a quartile ranking:
| Quartile | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fourth (top) | Strongest 25% of test-takers |
| Third | Above average |
| Second | Below average |
| First (bottom) | Lowest 25% of test-takers |
Schools receive your quartile, not your raw score. Most competitive programs expect third or fourth quartile.
Score reports are released approximately 3 weeks after your test date. You can designate which programs receive your score for free; additional score sends cost extra.
Who Needs to Take the Casper Test?
You need Casper if any school on your list requires it. Check each program individually — requirements vary significantly even within the same specialty.
Commonly required for:
- MD programs: Georgetown, University of Cincinnati, NYU Grossman, Tulane, and others
- DO programs: Several ACOM programs
- PA programs: Multiple PAEA member schools
- Nursing: Various BSN and graduate programs
- Dentistry: Several ADEA member schools
Since the test is only offered certain times of year and scores take 3 weeks to process, register early — ideally 6–8 weeks before your school's recommended score receipt deadline.
Is the Casper Test Hard?
Casper is uniquely challenging because you can't study facts or formulas. The difficulty comes from:
- Time pressure — 5 minutes per typed section feels short when crafting a thoughtful response
- Moral ambiguity — many scenarios have no clearly "right" answer
- Consistency — performing well across 14 consecutive scenarios while staying composed
- Video sections — speaking directly to a camera with 10 seconds to prepare
Most test-takers find their first practice attempt uncomfortable. That discomfort shrinks significantly with preparation.
How to Prepare for the Casper Test
1. Practice with realistic scenarios
The most effective preparation is timed practice with real scenario formats. Typing speed matters — aim for at least 50 WPM to have enough time to write complete responses.
2. Learn the core competencies
Understand all 9 competencies and learn to recognize which ones each scenario is testing. A strong response typically addresses 2–3 competencies explicitly.
3. Use the if/then framework
For ethical dilemmas, structure your answer: "If [X is the case], then I would do [Y], because [Z]." This forces you to reason through uncertainty rather than give a flat answer.
4. Practice typing under pressure
Use tools like CasperMaster to simulate the real exam environment — timed scenarios, no editing, immediate feedback on which competencies you addressed.
5. Warm up before the exam
On test day, do 2–3 practice scenarios first to get into the mindset. Cold responses in the first few sections are a common score killer.
Registration and Cost
- Register at: acuityinsights.app
- Cost: ~$85 USD (includes score sends to a set number of programs)
- Additional score sends: ~$15 per program
- Accommodations: Available for documented disabilities — apply early as processing takes several weeks
Casper can only be taken once per application cycle. There are no retakes within the same cycle.
FAQs
Can I retake the Casper test? Not within the same cycle. You can take it again in a future cycle if you reapply.
How long do Casper scores take to come out? Approximately 3 weeks from your test date.
How much does the Casper test cost? Around $85 for the base registration, with additional fees for extra score sends.
How long is the Casper test? 65–85 minutes, with an optional break between sections.
What should I do the night before? Review the 9 competencies, do a 2-scenario warmup, and get to bed early. Do not cram — this test rewards composure, not memorized content.