Learn About Preparing for the Casper Test

What Is the Casper Test and Why Medical Schools Use It

The Casper test, formally called the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics, is a situational judgment test used by medical schools and other health professions programs during their admissions process. Rather than testing scientific knowledge or test-taking skills like the MCAT, Casper focuses on assessing interpersonal and intrapersonal qualities that medical schools believe matter for becoming a good physician.

Medical schools began adopting Casper around 2015 as a way to evaluate characteristics that traditional metrics do not measure. The test attempts to assess qualities like empathy, ethical reasoning, collaboration, resilience, and communication style. As of 2024, over 150 medical schools and health professions programs across North America use Casper in their admissions process. This includes Canadian medical schools, American medical schools, dental schools, nursing programs, veterinary schools, and physician assistant programs.

The test consists of 12 scenarios presented on a computer screen. Each scenario appears in text form and describes a realistic situation involving interpersonal conflict, ethical dilemmas, or professional challenges. For each scenario, test-takers have two minutes to read and reflect on the situation, then they have four minutes to type a written response explaining how they would handle the situation.

Schools value Casper because traditional metrics like GPA and MCAT scores predict academic performance but do not necessarily predict whether someone will be a compassionate, ethical, or collaborative physician. Research from the test developers suggests that Casper scores show some ability to predict professionalism lapses during medical school and residency. However, the predictive validity remains modest, and schools use Casper as one factor among many in admissions decisions rather than as a primary determinant of acceptance.

Practical takeaway: Understanding that Casper measures interpersonal and ethical reasoning rather than medical knowledge will help you focus your preparation on the right skills.

How the Casper Test Is Structured and Scored

The Casper test takes exactly one hour to complete, with the 12 scenarios spread throughout that time frame. Twelve scenarios, multiplied by roughly six minutes per scenario (two minutes to read plus four minutes to type), creates the one-hour timeframe. The test is entirely computer-based and administered remotely, which means test-takers can complete it from home on their own computer during scheduled testing windows.

Each of the 12 scenarios presents a different interpersonal or ethical situation. Scenarios might involve disagreements with colleagues, difficult patient interactions, ethical gray areas in medical settings, or situations requiring you to advocate for someone. The scenarios are intentionally open-ended and do not have a single "correct" answer. Instead, the test developers want to understand your reasoning process, your awareness of different perspectives, and your values.

The scoring of Casper is not based on a numerical scale like the MCAT or GPA. Instead, responses are evaluated by trained raters who read and assess your written responses. Schools that use Casper receive reports that typically categorize performance into bands or quartiles rather than specific scores. Some schools report that applicants fall into "lower," "middle," or "higher" performance bands. The exact scoring method and what schools receive varies by institution and has evolved since the test's introduction.

One important structural element is that responses are completely typed—there is no audio or video component. You will not see your own face or hear your voice during the test. Your written response is the only information raters have about how you would handle each scenario. This means your ability to communicate clearly in writing within four minutes matters significantly.

The test covers a breadth of scenarios rather than depth in any one area. You might encounter a scenario about a conflict with a team member, then a scenario about resource allocation, then a scenario about a patient making a risky decision. This variety means preparation cannot focus on memorizing responses to common questions; instead, you must develop a general framework for approaching diverse interpersonal challenges.

Practical takeaway: Since each scenario is different and there are no "right answers," focus your preparation on developing clear thinking about values and communication rather than memorizing specific responses.

Key Competencies and Themes the Test Evaluates

The Casper test does not publish an official list of competencies it measures, but analysis of real test scenarios and guidance from test developers suggests several recurring themes. One major theme is empathy and perspective-taking. Scenarios often ask how you would handle situations involving people in distress, vulnerable populations, or individuals with different values from your own. Your response should demonstrate awareness of other people's emotions and viewpoints, not just your own concerns.

Another key competency is ethical reasoning. Many scenarios present situations without clear-cut right and wrong answers. Scenarios might involve conflicts between rules and compassion, between patient preferences and medical recommendations, or between helping one person and allocating resources fairly. Schools want to see that you think through ethical dimensions rather than simply applying a rigid rule.

Communication and collaboration appear frequently in scenarios. Some scenarios ask you to handle disagreements with colleagues, patients, or supervisors. Your response should show awareness of how your words and tone affect relationships. Recognizing when to listen, when to explain your perspective, and when to seek compromise demonstrates collaboration skills.

Resilience and self-awareness are also relevant competencies. Some scenarios describe stressful, frustrating, or emotionally taxing situations. Schools want to understand whether you recognize how pressure affects you and whether you have strategies for maintaining professionalism when stressed. Responses that acknowledge difficulty while describing a constructive path forward show resilience.

Integrity and honesty matter as well. Scenarios sometimes involve situations where honesty is difficult—admitting a mistake, delivering bad news, or acknowledging limits in your knowledge. Responses showing willingness to be truthful even when uncomfortable suggest you would maintain integrity under pressure.

A final recurring competency is cultural humility and awareness of bias. Some scenarios involve people from backgrounds different from the test-taker's background or people whose values differ significantly. Your response should show respect for people who are different and awareness that your own perspective is shaped by your background and experiences.

Practical takeaway: As you prepare, focus on understanding scenarios through multiple lenses: How do different people in this situation feel and think? What are the ethical dimensions? How can I communicate respectfully? These frameworks matter more than any specific "right answer."

Strategies for Approaching Casper Scenarios During the Test

Developing a systematic approach to reading and responding to scenarios will help you use your time effectively and provide thoughtful answers. During the two-minute reading period, read the scenario carefully and identify the key relationships and tensions in the situation. Underline or note mentally who is involved, what conflict or challenge exists, and what stakes matter to different people. Do not rush through reading hoping that an answer will emerge; instead, use the full two minutes to understand the complexity.

As you read, identify the different perspectives in the scenario. If a scenario involves a disagreement between you and a supervisor, what is the supervisor's perspective? What might be driving their position? What information do they have or lack? Recognizing multiple viewpoints prevents you from writing a response that dismisses someone else's concerns. Even if you ultimately disagree with someone, demonstrating understanding of their perspective shows maturity.

During the four-minute writing period, structure your response logically. A useful framework is to acknowledge the situation and the feelings or concerns of everyone involved, explain your perspective and reasoning, describe a specific action you would take, and reflect briefly on what you might learn or how you might grow from the situation. This structure prevents rambling and ensures you address the complexity rather than offering a simplistic answer.

Keep your writing clear and concise. You have limited time, so use straightforward language and complete sentences without excessive elaboration. Avoid trying to impress with vocabulary; instead, focus on communicating your thinking clearly. If you make a typo or grammatical error, do not spend time correcting it extensively; raters understand that you are typing under time pressure.

Do not try to guess what schools "want" to hear. Responses that feel inauthentic or that recite buzzwords like "I would utilize a multidisciplinary team approach" without explaining what that means or why it matters come across as hollow. Instead, describe what you genuinely think you would do and why, based on your values and experiences.

If you find yourself uncertain how to respond, focus on describing a reasonable action that shows respect for others and willingness to learn. Admitting uncertainty in a