Casper
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ExploreAbout this exam
Casper is an open-response situational judgment test (SJT) used in higher education admissions. According to Acuity Insights, it assesses social intelligence and professionalism through realistic scenarios, asking applicants to respond in their own words using typed and video answers. It is used by hundreds of higher education programs worldwide, including medical schools, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, business, and other selective undergraduate and graduate programs. The test is designed to complement academic metrics, not replace them: grades measure knowledge and achievement, while Casper offers standardized insight into how applicants think, reason, and exercise judgment in complex interpersonal and professional situations. Because responses are open-ended rather than multiple-choice, preparation should focus on practicing structured written and spoken reasoning about realistic scenarios rather than memorizing a correct-answer key. Acuity Insights states that Casper is backed by more than 20 years of research and over 150 internal and external studies, and that multiple independent raters and evidence-based scoring support consistent evaluation. Candidates should confirm test dates, delivery requirements, and whether their target programs require Casper directly with Acuity Insights and each program, since this page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with Acuity Insights.
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About Casper preparation
What is Casper and what does it measure?
Casper is an open-response situational judgment test for higher education admissions. Acuity Insights states it assesses social intelligence and professionalism through realistic scenarios. Applicants respond in their own words using typed and video answers, revealing how they think, reason, and communicate when navigating complex interpersonal and professional situations.
Is Casper multiple-choice?
No. Acuity Insights describes Casper as an open-response assessment: applicants respond to realistic scenarios using typed and video answers rather than selecting from a list of options. Responses are scored on how applicants think, reason, and exercise judgment, not on whether they recognize a single correct answer.
Which programs accept or require Casper?
Acuity Insights states Casper is used by hundreds of higher education programs worldwide, including medical schools, nursing programs, pharmacy, allied health, business, and other selective undergraduate and graduate programs. Requirements vary by institution and program, so confirm directly with each program you are applying to before scheduling.
Can Casper replace my grades or other academic metrics?
No. Acuity Insights states that Casper is designed to complement academic metrics, not replace them. Grades and other measures capture knowledge and achievement, while Casper provides standardized insight into social intelligence and professionalism. Programs use it alongside other admissions criteria to make more balanced, informed decisions.
How is Casper scored, and is it fair?
Acuity Insights states that Casper uses multiple independent raters and evidence-based scoring, delivering standardized, comparable assessment data. The company also reports that Casper is backed by more than 20 years of research and over 150 internal and external studies evaluating reliability, validity, fairness, and overall assessment quality.
Can I prepare for Casper, or does coaching not work?
Acuity Insights states that Casper's standardized delivery and security features help make it more resistant to coaching, gaming, and AI misuse than traditional admissions materials such as personal statements and reference letters. Preparation is still useful: practice explaining your reasoning clearly and concisely in both typed and spoken formats under time pressure.
What should I practice first?
Start with written responses, because they let you slow down and build a repeatable structure: identify the issue, consider the perspectives involved, weigh options, and justify a course of action. Once that reasoning feels natural, practice speaking the same structure aloud for video-style answers, where clarity and pacing matter more.
What are common failure modes on open-response SJTs?
Typical weaknesses include vague answers that never commit to an action, ignoring the perspectives of others in the scenario, and listing options without explaining trade-offs. For video answers, rambling and poor pacing hurt clarity. Practice giving specific, reasoned responses in your own words rather than reciting memorized phrases.
Should I take Casper before or after submitting applications?
Acuity Insights notes that many programs use Casper early in the admissions process to prioritize applicants before investing time in interviews and comprehensive application review. Check each program's deadline and sequencing requirements, then schedule early enough that your results are available when the program needs them.
Is this page affiliated with Acuity Insights?
No. This is an independent study resource and makes no claim of official affiliation with Acuity Insights or any institution. For authoritative details on Casper, including registration and delivery, consult Acuity Insights directly and confirm requirements with the specific programs you are applying to.