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June 19, 2023

Updates to the CASPer Test (Acuity Insights Assessments) for Medical School 2023-2024

The Savvy Premed

It’s been a little while since we posted about the Casper Test, and there have been some noteworthy changes for the 2023-2024 medical school application cycle.

Through our carefully curated FAQs, this article will get you up-to-date on the format, participating schools, test dates, etc for this situational judgment test.

Without further ado, let’s get into it:

(Have a question you can’t find below? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you)

What is the Casper Test?

Casper is an online situational judgment test (SJT) that poses hypothetical ethical dilemmas or difficult conflicts and asks you how you’d respond and why. It gauges “behavioral tendencies of applicants pursuing people-centered professions.”

What qualities does the Casper Test assess for?

Collaboration

Communication

Empathy

Equity

Ethics

Motivation

Problem Solving

Professionalism

Resilience

Self Awareness


What is the format of the Casper Test?

The test is divided into two sections–a video response section with two word-based scenarios and four video-based scenarios, as well as a typed response section with three word-based scenarios and five video-based scenarios.

Each video response scenario has two open-ended questions, presented one at a time. Test takers have one minute to record each response.

Each typed response scenario has three open-ended questions, presented altogether. Test takers have five minutes total to respond to all three questions.

Casper progresses from one scenario to the next automatically. It takes 90-110 minutes to complete the test. There’s an optional 10-minute break between the video response and typed response sections and an optional 5-minute break halfway through the typed response section.

How is the Casper Test scored and rated?

According to the Casper website: “Each scenario of a test is scored by a different rater. The group of raters reflects the diversity of the population. All raters are extensively trained, put through implicit bias training, vetted, and understand the importance of their work as a rater and the impact it has on an applicant’s future. The Acuity Insights team has numerous quality assurance measures in place to ensure the integrity of scores assigned by our raters.”

How is the Casper Test sent to schools/programs?

Once a test is rated, 2-3 weeks after the test date, the Casper score is sent automatically to the programs that the applicant has selected for distribution. Programs then update application statuses within their individual application portals.

You’ll need to choose at least one school to sign up for a test date, but then you can add however many other schools to your Distribution List.

Which medical schools require the Casper Test?

At the bottom of this article, you can find a full table of all participating US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, their distribution deadlines, and whether they require the Duet.

How do you sign up for the Casper Test?

After you have completed the registration for your Acuity Insights account, you’ll be able to reserve a test.

  1. Click ‘+ Reserve Casper Test’ on the Acuity Insights Assessments homepage.
  2. Select the country which the program(s) you are applying to reside in.
  3. Select the language you would like to use when taking the Casper test, if applicable.
  4. Select the admission cycle for your program(s).
  5. Select the program type(s) you are applying to.
  6. Select the school(s) you are applying to (more can be added later).
  7. If prompted, type the application/student ID number(s) into the text field(s).
  8. Select your desired test date.
  9. Review your test reservation details.
  10. Input your payment information.
  11. Confirm and submit your test reservation payment.

What are the dates for the Casper Test for medical school?

Here are the 2023-2024 test dates for medical school (US allopathic and osteopathic):

May 4, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

May 23, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Jun 1, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Jun 11, 2023 - 1:00 PM EDT

Jun 11, 2023 - 4:00 PM EDT

Jun 27, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Jun 27, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Jul 9, 2023 - 1:00 PM EDT

Jul 9, 2023 - 4:00 PM EDT

Jul 18, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Jul 18, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Jul 27, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Jul 27, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Aug 10, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Aug 10, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Aug 27, 2023 - 1:00 PM EDT

Aug 27, 2023 - 4:00 PM EDT

Sep 12, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Sep 12, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Oct 12, 2023 - 5:00 PM EDT

Oct 26, 2023 - 8:00 PM EDT

Nov 14, 2023 - 5:00 PM EST

Dec 7, 2023 - 8:00 PM EST

Jan 7, 2024 - 1:00 PM EST

Jan 16, 2024 - 8:00 PM EST

Feb 15, 2024 - 8:00 PM EST

Mar 12, 2024 - 8:00 PM EDT

Apr 9, 2024 - 8:00 PM EDT

When should you take the Casper Test for medical school?

Ideally, before you turn in your secondary essays to your medical schools. 

Where do you take the Casper Test?

You take the online Casper test on a computer at a location of your choice. Since the test requires your full concentration, you should take the test in a space that is free from distractions and noise. You may use headphones. You must take your test alone.

For your test, you will need access to a computer, webcam, microphone, and reliable, high-speed internet connection with a bandwidth speed of at least 2 megabytes per second that passes the ‘Casper Requirements Check’ found on the Reservations and Casper homepage in your Acuity Insights account.

How can you prepare for the Casper Test?

We have a few quick example Casper stations that you can find here.

We also have a free full-length test that you can find here.

Also check out this article which provides 3 sample questions and analyzes best responses.

Acuity Insights has its own practice materials here.

What’s up with the Casper Snapshot in 2023-2024?

Any applicants applying for the 2023/24 admissions cycle (programs starting in 2024) will not be required to take Snapshot.

What’s up with the Casper Duet in 2023-2024?

The Duet is a separate value-alignment assessment required by certain medical schools. It compares what applicants value most in a program to what the programs have to offer. If a program on your Distribution List requires the Duet, you’ll be prompted to take it.

The Duet has three categories. You will first review and reflect on the program characteristics and definitions. Keep in mind that you will be presented with 21 pairs for comparison, 6 of which are between characteristics under Teaching & Learning, 6 pairs between characteristics under Mission & Culture, 6 pairs between characteristics under Program Features, and 3 pairs between the main categories.

For each pair of characteristics under a given category, you select the one that is more important to you and continue until all comparisons are complete. You can only change the response that immediately precedes the current one. You will not be allowed to go back more than one response to change your answer.

Here are some examples of the kind of characteristics you could run into:

Mission & Culture:

*Culture of diversity, integrity, and respect

Program emphasizes strong moral character, empathy, and respect, with attention to cultural awareness and sensitivity, so as to empower a measurably diverse student, faculty and patient population.

VS

*Scientific innovation

Program seeks to advance medical research and develop technologies that enrich our understanding of human diseases and how to treat them. 


Teaching & Learning:


*Student-centered teaching

Program faculty employ teaching strategies that give students more autonomy over what is learned, how it is learned, and the pace of their learning. Students can provide feedback regarding the efficacy of teaching methods.

VS

*Early clinical exposure

Program enriches student learning by incorporating clinical practice early in the curriculum (i.e., before year 3 of training).


Program Features:


*Research opportunities

Program faculty actively involve students in science and clinical research. Students are encouraged to engage in research as a part of their ongoing learning enrichment.

VS

*Promotion of wellness in the student body

Program promotes mental and physical health amongst students through accessible in-person and online resources such as exercise facilities, wellness centers, workshops, and counseling.


All Participating US Allopathic and Osteopathic Medical Schools: