March 21, 2025
Written By
You’ve nailed your MCAT, your GPA is solid, and your med school application is taking shape. But then you see your med school is one of the many that require a peculiar test: the CASPer test. A test unlike anything you’ve faced before. No multiple-choice questions, no memorization, no formulas.
Just ethical dilemmas, real-world scenarios, and five minutes to type your responses under pressure. You’ve stepped into a whole new way of preparing for an exam.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, including:
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
The CASPer test is a situational judgment exam designed to assess traits like professionalism, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making—essential qualities for future physicians. Some schools weigh it heavily, others barely glance at it, but one thing is clear: you can’t afford to take it lightly if it’s part of your application process.
The CASPer test is unlike anything else in your medical school application. While your MCAT score and GPA measure academic performance, situational judgment tests like CASPer aren’t testing content knowledge. This test looks at who you are as a person. The CASPer test format is something you should know by heart. It’s essentially an automated set of multiple mini-interviews.
Your exam should take about 100–120 minutes and consist of 14 real-world scenarios (some text-based, some video-based) and two response sections:
There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about how well you navigate complex situations under pressure. Think of it as a test of your ability to think on your feet, not recall memorized facts.
Not every medical school requires the test, but for those that do, it’s an important part of the admissions process. Unlike other tests, you won’t get a direct CASPer test score, instead the results place applicants into a quartile ranking that compares performances between them.
Casper scores are only valid for a single application cycle. If your application to medical school is not accepted, you will need to retake the test when you reapply.
Schools then use this ranking, alongside your GPA, MCAT, and secondaries, to have a more reliable assessment of their applicant’s personal qualities.
Preparing for a CASPer test, therefore, isn’t that close to what you’ve done for your ordinary exams. We’ll see in a moment what you should keep in mind.
The CASPer test cost starts at $85, which includes sending your results to seven schools. If you need to send your scores to additional programs, expect to pay $18 per school.
Need to reschedule? Changing your test date within 30 days of your scheduled exam (or after confirmation) will come with an extra fee. Also, keep in mind that all fees are final and non-refundable, so plan wisely before booking.
The CASPer test isn’t about memorizing medical facts—it’s about how you think and react in real-world situations. Admissions committees want to see that you have good judgment, strong decision-making skills, and a solid ethical foundation—all essential qualities for a future doctor.
While your personal values will naturally shape your responses, there are four key ethical principles that come up again and again in CASPer scenarios. Understanding these will help you think through tough situations quickly and confidently:
At its core, CASPer isn’t looking for a “perfect” answer—it’s looking for your ability to think critically, balance perspectives, and make ethical decisions under pressure. Knowing these principles will help you navigate scenarios smoothly and show adcoms you have the right mindset for medicine.
Some last details to keep in mind:
You’re preparing well beforehand? Check out these tips to start preparing for your MCAT today.
Medical school admissions are all about finding the right fit. And that’s not just for the students, but for the schools themselves.
There are plenty of institutions that believe that academic metrics like GPA and MCAT scores only tell part of the story. These med schools consider personal skills—like critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical decision-making under pressure—just as valuable.
This also serves as a way to create opportunities for non-traditional medical students. Those who, due to family backgrounds or limited access to resources, haven’t historically and socially been trained in the technique (because, at its core, it is just a technique) of standardized test-taking.
However, the opinion regarding the usefulness of these tests is not univocal. Many studies have raised the question (even) about its fairness and effectiveness, arguing that it may favor students from higher-income backgrounds who have more resources to prepare.
But, on the other hand, some other studies do support CASPer’s ability to reduce bias in the admissions process and help schools identify the most intrinsically motivated applicants.
Nevertheless, beyond the debate on the rationale for this test, the truth is that it is very often used as a screening tool to determine who gets invited to interviews, making preparation essential.
So, what does this mean for you? If one of your target schools requires CASPer, you need to take it seriously.
Here is a complete list of the schools that require CASPer tests:
Where Duet is mentioned, it refers to a separate assessment within the Acuity Insights Suite, designed to evaluate how well a candidate's values and priorities align with a medical program’s mission and culture.
Let’s see how to prepare for this test.
One thing is true about CASPer tests: you cannot study for them. At least not in the ordinary sense. Since the CASPer test isn’t about memorization, there are other abilities you should train, like reaction times or communication under pressure.
We’ve said it: It’s different from anything you’ve faced before. The MCAT? You might have handled it. But this is a different game.
Here is a curated list of 8 expert CASPer test tips for you:
The closest thing to a traditional exam is the practical experience of going through exam models. Reviewing some real-life CASPer test scenarios may help you prepare for your tests.
Check them out next.
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You shouldn’t draw from what we’ve said that you don’t need to prepare for the CASPer. The test is fast-paced and unique, so the more familiar you are with the format, the better you’ll perform. While you can’t study for it like the MCAT, you can and should prepare.
Let’s see three common scenarios posed in CASPer exams. The first is the Priority Boarding and Invisible Disabilities scenario.
Here is the scenario:
A woman behind you sighs loudly and says, “Unbelievable, look at them.” She makes eye contact with you and adds, “You see what I mean, right?” The couple overhears and looks visibly uncomfortable.
In this hypothetical situation, you should think about using the phrase "Not all disabilities are visible" to shut down a question about priority boarding and avoid unnecessary escalation.
With a response like this, you’d be showing composure and empathy, two key traits for a future physician. Now, if the questioning continued, you could emphasize your decision not to engage further to keep things from turning into a scene. That way, you’d be demonstrating emotional intelligence and professionalism.
You could also take a more practical approach:
"Requiring proof of disability? Bad idea. Unlike parking, air travel isn’t routine, and many disabilities aren’t obvious. Adding barriers would only make things harder for people who already face challenges."
That way, you’d be tackling another layer of the issue while showcasing critical thinking and ethical awareness.
Another option is to recall a past experience—say, if you once stood up for a friend with a chronic illness in a similar situation, like a confrontation over a disabled parking spot. You could explain how you calmly clarified that disabilities aren’t always visible, which helped defuse the tension. This would highlight your strong communication, advocacy skills, and ability to handle conflict with maturity.
Let’s take a look at the following hypothetical situation.
A second typical scenario for you to train with is the street harassment intervention scenario:
This kind of situation can leave you in a tough spot with the testers if you haven't thought it through beforehand. A reasonable and measured response would be to step in subtly by walking up and saying, “Hey! I’ve been looking for you.” This simple intervention gives the person being harassed a safe exit without direct confrontation.
A response like this shows awareness and quick thinking, both essential qualities for a future physician. But put yourself to the test: think of what you would do if the situation remained tense. A correct answer would be to stay with the person and walk together to a public space or a nearby store where they feel safer.
Challenge yourself to stand firm in your answers and navigate tough decisions. Extend every situation beyond just your first instinct: be ready for outcomes B and C too.
Here you could also recall a past experience—perhaps a time when you helped a classmate having a panic attack before an exam. You could describe how you walked them to a quiet space, helped them slow their breathing, and ensured they felt safe before continuing their day.
This highlights your ability to stay calm under pressure, provide support, and respond effectively to distress.
Let’s move to the last of our scenario cases.
This moment in your exam is your chance for a decisive impact. The scenario:
As we said in the tips section: first of all, you must understand what you’re reading. This means, to comprehend what you are expected to answer. In this case, it’s time to prove your leadership and problem-solving skills.
So, what would be a reasonable first step? Talking to Rick directly before assuming anything. A private conversation can clarify if he’s facing personal or professional challenges. Be wise, nonetheless: train yourself to push through the problem even when things go south.
What would you do if problems persisted? A strong move would be setting clear expectations and deadlines before considering drastic action. If the company is at risk, restructuring may be necessary.
Let’s say Rick has personal struggles. Ok, you should be understanding but yet firm. Temporary adjustments might help, but the business comes first.
Think back to a time when you faced a tough work situation. Maybe a co-worker kept missing deadlines, frustrating the whole team. Instead of reporting them immediately, you had a direct but supportive conversation, which helped them improve. Or maybe he did not achieve it, but you still followed a wise approach guided by the right values.
This highlights your ability to handle challenges with professionalism, communication, and empathy.
Let’s take deadlines now.
CASPer test dates vary by institution, and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University provides a clear example of how scheduling works.
For instance, for the 2025 admissions cycle, Stony Brook offers multiple test dates throughout the year, giving applicants flexibility in choosing when to take the exam.
Since deadlines vary from school to school, it's crucial to check your target schools' requirements early and register for your test date well in advance.
You can check out the full list of available CASPer dates for all medical schools on the accuity insights page.
The CASPer test is a unique challenge in the medical school admissions process, but with the right preparation, you can approach it with confidence. Planning ahead, understanding the test structure, and practicing ethical decision-making will put you in the best position to succeed.
Need extra guidance? Premed Catalyst offers personalized mentorship to help you navigate your med school applications, craft compelling responses, and maximize your chances of acceptance.
Ready to take the next step? Fill out our quick form and let’s streamline your application process.