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Casper Guide

Schools Requiring Casper
  • McMaster:Competitive (important component of application)
  • Queen's:Cutoff (minimum threshold required)
  • Ottawa:Competitive (important component of application)
What is Casper?

According to the Casper website (acuityinsights.app):

"Casper is an open-response situational judgment test that measures aspects of your social intelligence and professionalism, like ethics, empathy, problem-solving and collaboration."

Casper evaluates non-academic qualities that medical schools value in future physicians, helping them assess candidates beyond grades and test scores. Casper can only be taken once per cycle, and is only valid for that cycle.

Test Format (2025-2026 Cycle)

Note: The format of Casper changes slightly year to year. Make sure you're up to date on the format for your current cycle!

Based on Acuity's 2025-2026 Webinar (acuityinsights.app/casper-25-26/), the test consists of:

Section 1: Video Responses

  • 2 written prompts + 2 video prompts
  • 30 seconds reflection time per prompt
  • 2 responses per prompt, 1 minute to record each response

Section 2: Typed Responses

  • 3 written prompts + 4 video prompts
  • 30 seconds reflection time per prompt
  • 3.5 minutes to answer 2 open-ended questions per prompt

Breaks

  • Optional 10-minute break after the video response section
  • 5-minute break halfway through the typed-response section

Score Release

  • Your percentile score is sent to schools after 2 weeks
  • You will receive your quartile score after 4 weeks
  • You will never know your exact percentile score
Casper Tips

General Tips

1. Always Follow the Rules

In many prompts, you'll face situations where bending rules seems tempting. Regardless of how reasonable it may seem, never advocate breaking rules or regulations, and don't be complicit in others breaking them.

Example scenario: "Your friend needs an A- to keep their scholarship but is struggling. They ask for help cheating on the final exam."

Proper approach:

  • Refuse to help them cheat
  • Discourage them from cheating
  • Make it clear that if they choose to cheat, you have a responsibility to report it
  • Offer alternative support (tutoring, study groups, speaking with professor about accommodations)

2. Consider All Stakeholders

Dedicate significant portions of your response to understanding each party's perspective. If feelings aren't clear, mention that you would approach them respectfully to understand their viewpoint. This demonstrates empathy and helps reach solutions that work for everyone.

3. You Don't Need a Definite Conclusion

It's often appropriate to explain how the situation impacts each stakeholder, then propose multiple options that could reach a reasonable compromise. You can briefly explain the impact of each option without committing to one final solution.

4. Establish a Format

Organize your responses with a consistent format:

  • Address why the situation is difficult (conflict of interest, ethical dilemma)
  • Identify all important stakeholders
  • Address potential solutions and how they impact everyone involved
  • Provide a final conclusion (if applicable)

Video Response Tips

  • Ensure good lighting so your face is clearly visible
  • Take the test in a quiet setting for clear audio
  • Wear clean, non-distracting clothing (not too formal)
  • Speak clearly at a reasonable pace—don't rush
  • Minimize filler words ("um," "like," "y'know") to maximize your response time

Text Response Tips

  • Aim for a typing speed of at least 90 WPM, ideally 100+ WPM
  • With thinking time, expect an effective rate of 60-70 WPM
  • Helpful resources: