Casper, A Situational Judgment Test: All You Need to Know
Feb 28, 2023
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Learn how to prepare for and practice the Casper test, understand how it is scored, and the recent efforts to make it more equitable. Discover the potential for Casper to expand to other fields, and explore common misconceptions about the test. The podcast also discusses the correlation between Casper and success in health care programs, the shift in admissions processes towards measuring fit, and the importance of balancing community and diversity of thought in admissions.
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Quick takeaways
CASPER exam measures social intelligence and professionalism in applicants, providing a holistic picture.
CASPER offers different versions and levels based on program, country, and specific requirements.
CASPER assesses non-academic skills to identify well-rounded applicants and predicts future performance in healthcare programs.
Deep dives
Overview of CASPER exam
The CASPER exam is an online situational judgment test that measures social intelligence and professionalism in applicants. It consists of video scenarios where applicants have a role and must answer follow-up questions about their course of action. The exam takes around 90 minutes and is intended to provide a more holistic picture of applicants for the application process. It is used early in the admissions process and can be taken at specific test times to accommodate various schedules.
Different versions and levels of CASPER
CASPER has different versions and levels based on the program and country. There are different CASPER tests for different countries to consider cultural nuances and appropriate settings. Additionally, different levels of tests exist based on the level of difficulty and type of program. MD and DO applicants can take the same test, while other programs have their own test windows. The goal is to ensure that the test is tailored to the specific requirements and standards of each program.
CASPER provides a more holistic assessment
CASPER seeks to measure social intelligence, professionalism, and non-cognitive skills, which are durable throughout an individual's lifetime. It focuses on communication, collaboration, ethics, empathy, and other non-academic skills. The exam aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of applicants, beyond academic achievements like GPA or standardized tests. By assessing personal and professional attributes, CASPER supports a holistic selection process and help programs identify well-rounded applicants.
The importance of practice and accessibility
CASPER offers a practice test to help applicants become familiar with the format and requirements of the exam. Practicing allows applicants to feel more comfortable and prepared for the test, enhancing their performance. CASPER is an online exam, allowing applicants to take it at their convenience, and accommodations are available for those who require them, ensuring accessibility and a level playing field for all test-takers.
CASPER's correlation with future performance
CASPER has shown correlations with future performance in various healthcare programs, such as medical school, residency, and occupational therapy. While CASPER doesn't directly correlate with academic measures like GPA or knowledge-based exams, it predicts performance in clinical years, licensing exams, and even professionalism incidents. The exam provides valuable insights into an applicant's personal and professional attributes, which can contribute to their success as healthcare professionals.
Shortcuts to Key Insights from this EpisodeHow to prepare and practice for the Casper.A detailed explanation on how the subjective test is scored.The most recent development in making Casper more equitable across all demographics.What happens if raters identify a red flag.Will Casper spread to other fields such as social work and law?Common misconceptions about Casper.Relevant Links and Related ShowsDo you have to take the CASPer for at least some of the programs you are applying to? Are you concerned about? This interview with the co-founder of Acuity Insights, the folks who provide the Casper, is for you! [Show Summary]Dr. Dore discusses everything applicants need to know about taking the Casper and what it truly tests.Interview with Dr. Kelly Dore, Co-Founder & VP of Science and Innovation at Acuity Insights and Adjunct Professor at McMaster University at McMaster University. [Show Notes]Do you need to take the Casper for at least some of the programs you are applying to, are you concerned about it? Well, this interview with the co-founder of Acuity Insights, the folks that bring us the Casper, is for you.Welcome to the 513th episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for joining me today. Are you ready to apply to your Dream Medical Schools? Are you competitive at your target programs? Accepted Med School Admissions Quiz can give you a quick reality check. Just go to accepted.com/med-quiz, complete the quiz, and you'll not only get an assessment, but tips on how to improve your chances of acceptance. Plus, it's all free. Again, take the quiz at accepted.com/med-quiz to obtain your free assessment.Our guest today is Dr. Kelly Dore, co-founder and vice President of Science and Innovation at Acuity Insights, and also adjunct professor at McMaster University. Dr. Dore, welcome to Admission Straight Talk.Can you give an overview of the Casper exam and its structure? What can applicants expect? [1:31]Sure. So the exam most people who are familiar with from Acuity is Casper. Casper is an online situational judgment test. A situational judgment test, it's different than a behavioral interview question you might have. If people are familiar with doing interviews where you say, tell me about a time you managed multiple responsibilities at once. Instead, an SJT presents a scenario in the case of Casper. The majority of those are video scenarios too; you're watching a 60 to 90-second video. You have a role in it that we tell you at the beginning, and you watch that video and then you get a series of questions after it. So you watch the scenario, see what's going on, and there's then three follow up questions talking about what you would do and why you would take that course of action.The total exam takes around 90 minutes, and during that time, there's opportunity for breaks. There's the chance to just reflect, so you'll watch the video. There's a chance to have a reflection period before you go into typing your response or recording your response, depending on the moment In Casper. Now Casper broadly is intended to measure social intelligence and professionalism in applicants. It was developed so that we could get a more holistic picture of applicants supporting that holistic selection process and the Casper exam. We'll go into more detail about it, but it is something that we hope supports the application process.When can applicants take it? I know it's online. Can they take it at six in the morning, wherever they are? Can they take it at 10 o'clock at night? [3:01]Absolutely. So because it is online, and I always say we were online