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The Casper test is distributed by Acuity Insights (formerly Altus Assessments). Medical schools use it to holistically evaluate how an applicant aligns with their program. This test demonstrates students’ communication and interpersonal skills, not scientific knowledge.
Typically, the Casper is administered prior to an in-person or virtual interview at a medical school and is considered part of the secondary application process. At some medical schools, you may take the test later.
Keep reading for all the details on Casper exams, plus how to prepare for the test.
The MedSchoolCoach Casper Prep tool features a condensed mini course, 2 practice Casper exams, and a 45- minute feedback session with a physician advisor. Build your Casper skills and land the interview invites you deserve.
What Is the Casper Exam?
Casper stands for “Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics.” It’s an open-response, online, situational judgment test (SJT) that evaluates professionalism and non-cognitive skills, such as collaboration, problem-solving, ethics, and empathy — not scientific and medical knowledge.
Learn More: AAMC’s PREview SJT (Casper Alternative)
Medical schools and residency programs may use the Casper exam in addition to the traditional medical school interview. Some don’t use it at all. You need to check with your program or institution to see what is required during the application process.
You only have to take the Casper test to go to medical school if you are applying to a medical school that requires it.
Rather than involving objectively correct or incorrect responses, the Casper test assesses the following behavioral characteristics:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Empathy
- Equity
- Ethics
- Motivation
- Problem-solving
- Professionalism
- Resilience
- Self-awareness
Each Casper section is graded by a different rater from a diverse group of people so that the final score encompasses multiple people’s impressions of you. This grading process ensures the overall test score is fair and objective, given the subjectivity of the material.
Prepping for Casper and other SJTs? Download our FREE Virtual Assessment Guidebook to learn everything you need to know to ace your test!
Is Casper Required to Get into Medical School?
Many medical schools, but not all, require applicants to take the Casper test during the admissions process. We’ve included a current list of these institutions further down this article.
Many graduate programs and residencies use the Casper exam, and a few undergraduate programs do, too. Check with your school or program to see if Casper is required.
How to Sign Up for the Casper Test
You can sign up for the Casper test at Acuity Insights. The test is offered monthly, with additional test dates available during the summer to accommodate the admissions cycle. You’ll choose a program, a school, and a test day.
The requirements to take the Casper test are:
- A quality, stable internet connection
- Computer equipment, including a webcam and microphone
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license
- A valid email address
- Money to pay the test fee
How Much Does the Casper Test Cost?
The cost varies by academic program. Most American students will pay $85 for the test, plus $18 per additional school — meaning that sending your Casper results to three schools will cost $121.
A handful of US-based Fee Assistance Programs can provide financial aid for eligible applicants. Proof of acceptance to these programs is required to take Casper at no cost. Acuity Insights honors fee assistance programs through:
- AAMC
- AACOMAS
- Texas JAMP
Test Format
The Casper test includes 14 dilemmas or scenarios, each followed by open-ended questions, with 5 minutes to respond to each question. Think of Casper as an automated set of multiple mini interviews (MMIs). Below is a summary of the test format.
- Part 1: The video response section where you are presented with 2 word-based scenarios and 4 video-based scenarios. Following each scenario will be two questions. You will have one minute to record your response to each of the two questions.
- Part 2: The typed response section where you are given 3 word-based scenarios and 5 video-based scenarios. Following each scenario, you are given 5 minutes to type responses to 3 questions.
At the beginning of 2023 after Altus and One45 merged, the Casper test changed. It still incorporates video responses via webcam, but this section comes first, before the typed sections, to prevent any typed answers being lost due to video uploading issues.
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about your typing speed, use bullet points.
What Kinds of Questions Are on the Casper Test?
Casper questions tend to include a range of medical, ethical, and behavioral scenarios. Not all questions are medically related; in fact, most are behavioral questions.
How Long Does the Casper Test Take?
The entire test takes around 90-110 minutes to complete. Optional breaks are offered throughout the test.
Acuity Insights provides special accommodations for test takers who need additional time, assistive software, or dedicated personnel. A qualified professional can help you fill out a request form. It takes up to 7 business days for a response, and Acuity Insights will contact you with the outcome. An approved accommodations status is valid for two admission cycles.
Watch a sample Casper video scenario for free
How Casper Is Scored (Plus, What Counts as a ‘Good’ Score)
The Casper exam is not scored like a typical test with individual grades based on correct or incorrect responses. Instead, raters from a wide range of professions and diverse backgrounds will give the responses you provided to each scenario a score ranging from 1 to 9 (1 being the lowest score, 9 being the highest). No single rater will rate more than one of your responses to eliminate any potential bias. Raters are instructed to ignore spelling and grammar mistakes, focusing on content alone.
After the evaluators have assigned each of your scenarios a raw score from 1-9, your overall score will then be tallied and compared to other students who took the same Casper test. Based on this comparison, you will be assigened a quartile score, indicating the range of test-takers you outperformed:
- 1st Quartile: You scored lower than 75% of test-takers.
- 2nd Quartile: You scored better than 25% of test-takers.
- 3rd Quartile: You scored better than 50% of test-takers.
- 4th Quartile: You scored better than 75% of test-takers
This quartile score is the only information you as the applicant will receive about your Casper performance.
Schools, on the other hand, will receive your exact percentile score (corresponding to the exact percentage of test-takers you outperformed) and what Casper calls a “z-score”, which indicates how many standard deviations your performance was from the mean.
For testers with a slower typing speed, if you don’t finish answering within the allotted 5 minutes, raters will try to understand your train of thought. Any bullet points or unfinished sentences will contribute to your score.
What is a good Casper score? As an applicant, you will only receive a quartile score from Casper. A 4th-quartile Casper result is the best score since it shows you were in the top 25% of test takers.
Many medical admissions boards also consider 3rd-quartile a good score depending on how rigorous their acceptance standards are. 1st-quartile and 2nd-quartile results are the lowest, but they don’t necessarily disqualify your application.
What will I get my Casper score? It typically takes a few weeks to get results back from Acuity Insights. In 2-3 weeks, Acuity Insights will automatically send your results to the medical programs on your distribution list. You will be able to see your quartile score but will never know your specific response scores.
When to Take the Casper Test
When should you take the Casper exam? You should take the Casper exam early in the cycle while preparing your AMCAS application. Many schools have begun requiring the Casper score along with the primary application, so you won’t be able to apply without getting your scores back.
Note: It will take 2-3 weeks for scores to be distributed to schools, so plan early.
While you’re gathering information for your medical school application — pre-med GPA, MCAT, LoRs, post-bacc, etc. — go ahead and schedule a test date. Be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare for the exam.
We recommend registering for the exam in April or May of the year you apply.
A common mistake when applying to medical school is waiting too long to schedule admissions exams like Casper. Remember, the Casper is offered at limited times each month.
Also, your Casper test results are only valid for the current application cycle. Any future reapplications to even the same program will require you to retake Casper.
How to Prepare
Unlike traditional academic tests such as the MCAT, you do not need to “study” for the Casper exam. This test is designed to determine your normal response to a given situation. Raters aren’t seeking correct or incorrect facts, so you don’t need to memorize answers.
However, there are other ways you should prepare for the Casper.
The best method of Casper test prep is to learn more about Casper before taking the exam and practice Casper questions and simulations. Search on YouTube for common sample questions that Casper is likely to ask, and speak with other applicants who have already taken the exam. Look up Casper FAQs to get an understanding of the format of the test.
You can also find practice tests online that contain sample Casper questions, including official ones at Acuity Insights. Being familiar with the test will help you overcome test-taking anxiety and give more confident, thoughtful responses. Just keep in mind that this test is designed to be hard to study for, so don’t overwork yourself with practice scenarios.
Lastly, practice your video and typing skills so that your Casper responses are as impressive as possible on test day. Consider filming yourself as you practice so you can watch your video responses and make adjustments to your tone, body language, and eye contact. If you are a slow typer, be sure to work on that before sitting down to take the test. You only get five minutes to answer the three questions associated with each typed-response scenario!
The MedSchoolCoach Casper Prep program is perfect for Casper prep. Our program includes a condensed mini-course that explains the key characteristics of Casper, 2 simulated Casper exams with video and text-based scenarios, and a 1-on-1 feedback session from a Physician Advisor. Over 99% of students who use this service feel well-prepared to take the real exam. We can help you build your Casper skills and land the interview invites you deserve.
Sign up for a free MCAT practice exam and download the mobile MCAT app for additional tips and tricks for navigating the med school application and examination process.
Medical Schools that Use Casper
The medical schools that use the Casper test change every year. Medical schools that currently require Casper are listed below.
Visit AcuityInsights.com or AAMC’s handy PDF for a current list of all schools and programs around the world that use the Acuity Insights in their admissions screening process.
US MD Schools That Require Casper
- American University of the Caribbean School of 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 *Duet required*
- Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine *Casper optional but recommended*
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) *Duet required*
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Meharry Medical College
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine *Duet recommended*
- Netter School of Medicine Quinnipiac University
- New York Medical College
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
- Rush University Medical College
- Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
- Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine *Duet required*
- Texas Christian University School of Medicine *Duet required*
- Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine *Duet required*
- Tulane University School of Medicine *Duet recommended*
- 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 *Duet required*
- University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, McGovern Medical School
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Long School of Medicine *Duet required*
- University of Texas Medical Branch *Duet required*
- 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 School of Medicine
US DO Schools That Require Casper
- Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine *Duet required*
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nevada
- William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine *Duet required*
Medical Schools That Require Casper in Canada
- Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
- McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
- Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine
- Queen’s University Faculty of Health Sciences
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
- Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine
- Université de Sherbrooke (except First Nations and Inuit)
- University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
- University of Manitoba
- University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
Find out more about the medical schools using the Casper/Altus Suite in our Ultimate Guide to Virtual Atlus Suite.
FAQs
The Snapshot, Duet, and Casper are three distinct but related parts of the Altus Suite Insights.
- Casper: A situational judgment test that assesses an applicant’s ability to navigate complex, real-world scenarios, focusing on ethical decision-making, empathy, and critical thinking. It is 90-110 minutes long.
- Duet: A value alignment assessment aimed at matching applicants’ personal values and preferences with the ethos and culture of prospective medical schools or residency programs. It is about 15-20 minutes in length. The format has 30 program characteristics that are compared in pairs across 3 categories, with no time limits.
- Snapshot: A one-way video response tool designed to gauge a medical student’s communication skills and personal motivation. It is about 10-15 minutes long. No medical schools requires Snapshot since the 2022/23 application cycle.
The Casper exam generally requires much less studying than other medical admissions tests, but it also uses a less objective grading system.
If you’re better at critically thinking on your feet than memorization, the Casper test shouldn’t be too hard. If you prefer memorizing a set of information to communicating impromptu, the Casper exam may be hard for you.
You may take the Casper once per application cycle. If you’ve taken it once during this cycle, you cannot retake it until the cycle resets, which typically occurs in May.
Read Next: How to Successfully Reapply to Medical School and Get a “Yes!”
First used in Canada in 2010, Casper has now been adopted by more than 50 United States-based medical schools and more than 100 residency programs.
Prior to 2023, the Casper exam was 1 of 3 exams that comprise the Altus Suite, a multi-part assessment used in medical school admissions cycles. (The others were Duet and Snapshot.)
In 2023, Altus Assessments and One45 merged to become Acuity Insights. After much research, Acuity Insights made slight changes to the Casper test, including the decision to combine the scores for typed and video responses to make admissions more equitable.
Everything You Need for a Top Casper Score.
MedSchoolCoach has created a comprehensive Casper prep tool to help you achieve a top-quartile score. Designed by expert physician advisors, this resource will give you expert insight into approaching your Casper exam with confidence.
Included in our Casper coaching tool is:
- A condensed mini-course that explains key characteristics of Casper
- 2 simulated Casper exams, complete with proprietary video and text-based scenarios
- A 45-minute feedback session with a physician advisor who has served on a medical school admissions committee
Over 99% of students who use our Casper Prep tool feel well prepared to take the real exam. Let us help you build your Casper skills and land the interview invites you deserve.
Renee Marinelli, MD
Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.
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