CASPer Test: What You Need to Know to Succeed

The application process for medical school is far from a breeze. Among the various criteria of the admissions committee, passing the CASPer Test is essential to evaluate an applicant’s non-cognitive skills. As such, knowing how to approach the test is key for a successful application.

Prospective medical students need to fulfill multiple requirements during their application process for medical school. While passing the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) is essential to assess your knowledge in science, being able to pass the CASPer Test is another key component for your application, focusing on interpersonal skills needed as a future doctor.

Want to know more about the CASPer test and how to prepare? Come along to learn all about its structure, key skills and attributes assessed, and its impact on admissions. 

What Is the CASPer Test?

The CASPer Test is a standardized exam designed to assess applicants’ non-cognitive skills, capabilities, and prowess in dealing with various scenarios that doctors face in their daily lives when working with patients. 

The Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) test is composed of questions that ask how aspiring medical students would react in a certain scenario and why. 

Though we at AUA do not require it, this test is an integral requirement of the admissions process in many medical colleges in the U.S. Passing the CASPer test proves an applicant has the necessary motivation, integrity, and interpersonal skills to take on their role as a healthcare provider; thus, enhancing their application during the admissions stage.

Structure of the CASPer Test

In essence, the CASPer is a web-conducted, situational judgment test (SJT) that takes 90-110 minutes to complete. The questions are categorized into two sections, with 14 different scenarios: video responses and typed responses. 

• The video responses section consists of two word-based scenarios and four video-based scenarios shown to the applicant. Two open-ended questions will follow, and you will answer through video. 
• The typed responses section consists of three word-based scenarios and five video-based ones. The test will present three open-ended questions related to the prompt, and you will have 5 minutes to answer all three.

The responses are then gathered and evaluated. It’s important to note that each response is thoroughly assessed by a different member of CASPer’s trained group of raters to ensure an unbiased assessment and result. 

Key Skills and Attributes Assessed

The main idea behind the CASPer is to put to the test an applicant’s soft skills that are essential in healthcare but don’t get evaluated through the MCAT, another standardized test required for admission to medical school. The CASPer test is all about the skills relevant to medical school and healthcare professions, such as the following: 

• Empathy: Crucial to patient care, empathy means understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In healthcare, empathizing with patients proves a doctor’s commitment to the patient and helps build trust. 
• Communication: Communicating with a patient is key to understanding their concerns and assisting them accordingly. 
• Ethical decision-making: It’s important to know how to navigate difficult situations in healthcare while considering ethics and regulations.
• Problem solving: Whether diagnosing a patient or responding to an emergency, doctors need to think critically and come up with solutions to unexpected or difficult situations.

These skills are directly relevant to medical school and healthcare because they help ensure that future doctors and healthcare providers can make sound decisions, communicate effectively, and treat patients with compassion and professionalism.

Preparing for the CASPer Test

While ethics and social awareness cannot be purposefully taught, there are things you can do to prepare yourself for the CASPer Test. Remember that this test does not require studying, much like other practice tests.

Your focus should be on proper strategies on how to maintain your calmness while answering questions honestly and understand the test format before going into it. 

Looking up the FAQs section of CASPer is a good starting point. This section includes the most frequently asked questions related to the test, giving you a glimpse of what to expect. You can learn anything about the test, such as its duration, cost, evaluation method, etc. 

Another preparation step we recommend is practicing with sample test questions found online. Reviewing sample questions will help you get an idea of the format and explore various scenarios that you might encounter during the test. 

Reflecting on personal experiences that showcase the key skills assessed is also essential. This will help you provide genuine, thoughtful answers during the test.

In addition, it’s important that you: 

• Avoid potential technical difficulties
• Practice typing
• Think before you write
• Learn about the main health-related issues
• Do not cheat

What Medical Schools Require CASPer?

The following list includes medical schools across the states where passing the CASPer test is required for admission, with the exception of Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine, where completing the test is optional, but recommended:

• Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Baylor College of Medicine
• Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine
• California University of Science and Medicine
• Central Michigan University College of Medicine
• Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
• Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine
• Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM)
• Indiana University School of Medicine
• Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center
• Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• Meharry Medical College
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
• Netter School of Medicine Quinnipiac University
• New York Medical College
• Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
• Rush University Medical College
• Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
• Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine
• Texas Christian University School of Medicine
• Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nevada
• Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York
• Tulane University School of Medicine
• University of Colorado Denver (Anschutz Medical Campus)
• University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
• University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
• University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, McGovern Medical School
• University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Long School of Medicine
• University of Texas Medical Branch
• University of Texas Southwestern
• University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• West Virginia University
• William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

We recommend that you look up each of the above listed websites for a more comprehensive understanding of the requirements.

When to Take the CASPer Test?

When planning to take the CASPer Test, it’s essential to align it with your medical school application timeline. Here’s some guidance on the ideal timing:

• Check Test Dates and Application Deadlines: The CASPer Test is offered on specific dates throughout the year, so check the test provider’s website for the current schedule. 
• Take It Early but Strategically: Aim to take the CASPer Test at least two to three months before your earliest medical school application deadlines. 
• Avoid Taking It Too Early:  While it’s good to plan ahead, avoid taking the test too early in your application process. You want to ensure you’ve developed key experiences and insights, such as volunteer work or clinical experience, to reflect upon during the test.
• Allow Time for Retakes (If Necessary): Make sure your test date leaves room for any contingencies in your overall application process.

How Long Is the CASPer Test?

The CASPer Test can last up to 110 minutes, including breaks. Test-takers are offered a 10-minute break after the video response section and another 5-minute break halfway through the typed response section. These breaks are optional. 

How Long Will My CASPer Results Be Valid?

Your CASPer results are valid for only one cycle of the application process. If your application to medical school was unsuccessful and you need to reapply the following year(s), you must retake the test because the previous scores will no longer be considered. Remember that these results are valid for only one program you apply to.

What Is a Good CASPer Score?

A good CASPer score is typically one that places you in a higher percentile compared to other test-takers. CASPer doesn’t provide exact scores to applicants but ranks them in percentiles. Medical schools look for candidates who score well relative to their peers. 

While there’s no official “passing” score, being in the top percentiles can strengthen your application. Schools often compare your CASPer results with other applicants and use the scores to assess your non-academic skills, such as communication, ethics, and problem-solving, alongside other parts of your application.

Impact of the CASPer Test on Admissions

CASPer Test scores are used in the admissions process to assess your personal and professional qualities, like empathy and decision-making. While your GPA and MCAT scores measure academic abilities, the CASPer focuses on non-academic skills. 

Different schools weigh CASPer results differently; for some, it’s a key factor in admissions, while for others, it’s just one part of the overall review. Typically, CASPer scores complement your academic achievements, giving schools a more complete picture of you as an applicant, but GPA and MCAT scores are still major factors in the decision process.

Conclusion

The CASPer Test is essential in medical school admissions as it evaluates key personal skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving, which are critical for future healthcare professionals. Unlike GPA and MCAT scores, CASPer measures how you handle real-world ethical and interpersonal situations. 

To succeed, prospective students should familiarize themselves with the test format, practice responding to scenarios, and reflect on personal experiences that demonstrate these skills. Take the test early enough to meet application deadlines, stay calm under pressure, and focus on clear, thoughtful responses that showcase the qualities medical schools seek in future doctors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How do I sign up for the CASPer test?

To sign up for the CASPer Test, visit the official CASPer website and create an account to select your test date. Follow the instructions to complete your registration.

How much does it cost to take the CASPer test?

The CASPer Test typically costs around $20 to $30, with additional fees for sending scores to each school. Again, please check the official website for the most current pricing.