Understand the test
Casper test format: what to expect on test day.
Casper is a situational judgement test used by health and social professions programs to see how applicants handle interpersonal and ethical situations. Below is the format as it currently stands: 11 scenarios across 65 to 85 minutes, split into two sections that work almost nothing like each other.
This is an independent guide based on publicly available information. Casper Prep Test is not affiliated with Acuity Insights, which administers the official Casper test.
What Casper is
Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is administered by Acuity Insights. It's used by medical schools, nursing programs, physician assistant programs, social work programs, pharmacy schools, and teacher education programs across North America and beyond.
Casper cares how you respond to difficult situations involving people, not what facts you know. Every scenario involves some kind of conflict, ethical tension, or communication challenge. There's no single right answer, but there are better and worse ways to respond.
Sections: video and typed
Casper has two sections, and you'll complete both in the same sitting. Video comes first, then typed:
Video scenarios · 4 total
Watch, then speak
You watch a short video scenario, then answer 2 questions about it, speaking to your webcam. The questions appear one at a time, with 1 minute to record each answer. On the real test these are scored by trained human raters. Casper Prep Test mirrors the format, on camera, at the same timing.
Typed scenarios · 7 total
Read, then write
You read a text-based scenario, then type answers to 2 questions shown at once, with 3.5 minutes for the pair, reading included. Casper Prep Test runs this section at the same timing.
Total scenarios: the current Casper test has 11 scenarios: 4 video-response followed by 7 typed-response, each with 2 questions. Plan for 65-85 minutes end to end, including two optional breaks: 10 minutes after the video section and 5 minutes after the first 4 typed scenarios. Our practice sittings offer ten minutes at both breaks, matching the official practice test, so budget your real second break a little tighter.
The typed section in detail
The typed section is where most people feel least prepared. It runs in four steps.
01
A scenario appears on screen
A short paragraph describes a situation, usually a conflict between people, an ethical tension, or a difficult decision. Before the questions begin, you can take an optional 30-second reflection period to gather your thoughts.
02
Both questions appear at once
The two questions are shown together, and a single 3.5-minute clock covers the pair. They might ask what you would do, what you would say, how a new piece of information changes your response, or how you would handle a follow-up.
03
You type your answers under the clock
There's no word count minimum or maximum. Three and a half minutes runs faster than you expect. Most strong answers land around 60-120 words per question, specific and written in plain language.
04
The scenario ends and the next one loads
You can't go back. Every scenario is independent. This is why timed practice matters: you need to be comfortable moving on even when an answer didn't go the way you wanted.
How Casper is scored
As an applicant, you receive quartile scores (Q1 through Q4), one for the video response section and one for the typed response section, roughly 4-5 weeks after your test. Q4 is the top 25% of test-takers; Q1 is the bottom 25%.
Your score is relative to other test-takers, not measured against an absolute standard. Because scoring is relative, the same performance can land in different quartiles on different test dates.
Programs don't see your quartile. Since the 2024-25 cycle, Acuity Insights sends programs a standardized z-score and percentile instead. Programs decide how to weight that number alongside GPA, reference letters, and the other components of your application. Some screen on it, others consider it more holistically, so it's worth checking the requirements for each program you're applying to.
Full guide to Casper quartiles and z-scores →What the test is actually measuring
Every scenario is designed to surface how you naturally respond to difficult situations involving other people. The three dimensions evaluators focus on are:
Perspective-taking
Can you hold multiple viewpoints at once rather than immediately siding with one person or one principle?
Communication clarity
When you say you'd handle something respectfully, can you actually show what that sounds like in concrete language?
Practical judgment
Does your next step sound realistic and proportionate, or does it jump to extremes or pretend the situation is simpler than it is?
Practise the typed section
See how you do under real time pressure.
Casper Prep Test gives you timed written scenarios in the same format as the real typed section: two questions, 3.5 minutes on the clock, with feedback on your answers. The first scored sitting, the whole typed section, is free.
Common questions about the Casper format
How long is the CASPER test?
The current test takes roughly 65-85 minutes. That includes an optional 10-minute break after the video section and an optional 5-minute break partway through the typed section. Setup and ID verification add a few minutes on top.
How many scenarios are in CASPER?
11 scenarios: 4 video-response scenarios followed by 7 typed-response scenarios. Every scenario has 2 questions.
How much time do you get per typed CASPER scenario?
Each typed scenario shows both questions at once and gives you 3.5 minutes to type answers to the pair. One clock covers reading the scenario and writing both answers.
Is CASPER scored with letter grades or percentages?
Neither. Applicants receive quartile scores (Q1-Q4) for each section: video response and typed response. Programs receive a standardized z-score and percentile rather than a quartile.
Can I use notes or look things up during CASPER?
No. Casper is a timed, proctored online test. You cannot use notes, reference material, or receive help from others during the test.
Do I need a webcam?
Yes. The video section requires a webcam for recording your spoken responses and for identity verification. You'll need a reliable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space.
Can I retake CASPER if I'm not happy with my score?
Casper can be retaken in subsequent application cycles, but generally not within the same application cycle for most programs. Check with the specific programs and cycle you're applying to.
Is CASPER the same as CASPer (with a capital P)?
Yes. The name is sometimes written CASPer and sometimes CASPER. It refers to the same test administered by Acuity Insights.