Casper Exam Guide
The CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) exam is a vital component of the medical school application process, focusing on assessing key competencies such as communication, empathy, professionalism, and others. This situational judgement test comprises 14 sections, each presenting a scenario followed by three open-ended questions, all to be answered within five minutes without the possibility of revisiting previous sections.
Preparation is key to excelling in CASPer. Start by understanding the test format and the core competencies it assesses. Get acquainted with sample questions available online to familiarise yourself with the type of scenarios and questions that will be asked. Emphasise time management, and simulate the testing environment to improve.
Strategy is equally crucial in approaching questions. Read scenarios carefully, identify key issues, be ethical in your responses, use the STAR method for concise answers, and illustrate points with examples. On test day, ensure to remain calm and composed, focusing on clear and ethical decision-making. Resources like BlackStone Tutors’ CASPer test preparation materials provide further guidance and practice questions to assist you in your preparation journey.
Casper Exam Common Questions
You must remember that the CASPer test evaluates ten core competencies critical for healthcare and teaching professionals. These competencies are:
Communication: The ability to effectively articulate thoughts, including overcoming communication challenges.
Collaboration: Assessed through one’s ability to work in a team, embracing both leadership and supportive roles.
Empathy: Distinguished from sympathy and compassion, it involves understanding and resonating with others’ feelings.
Equity: Different from equality, it concerns treating people based on their needs to achieve parity.
Ethics: Upholding moral principles, both personal and professional, that guide behaviour and decisions.
Motivation: Demonstrates a general drive to succeed, regardless of the specific task at hand.
Problem Solving: More focused on a collaborative and equitable approach to resolving issues than on finding the ‘perfect’ solution.
Professionalism: Displaying responsible behaviours and skills that reflect the expectations of a professional.
Resilience: The capacity to persevere and recover from challenging experiences.
Self-Awareness: Understanding and managing one’s emotions, stress, and overall health.
As such, common questions will be on communication, empathy, professionalism – and other areas listed. Here are some common prompts on these domains:
Communication: You are part of a group project, and one of your teammates is consistently not contributing to the project. How do you approach this situation?
You’re tasked with explaining a complex scientific concept to a group of middle school students. How would you simplify it so they can understand?
During a team meeting, two colleagues start arguing loudly about a work issue. How would you handle this?
A friend confides in you that they are struggling with a personal issue but asks you to keep it a secret. Later, you see this issue negatively affecting their work. How do you handle this situation?
You have a significant disagreement with your boss about an upcoming project’s direction. How do you express your viewpoint?
Empathy:
You notice a colleague seems unusually upset. They haven’t shared anything with you, but it’s starting to affect their work. How would you approach this?
A patient is refusing treatment due to cultural beliefs. How would you handle this situation?
You are a doctor and have to deliver a challenging diagnosis to a patient. How would you communicate this to them?
Your roommate is facing financial difficulties and is unable to contribute to the shared expenses this month. How would you approach this situation?
A student you tutor expresses frustration and wants to quit because they feel they are not improving. How would you respond?
Professionalism:
You witness a colleague taking credit for your work in a meeting. How do you handle this?
You notice a team member arriving late to work and leaving early regularly. It is affecting the team’s morale. How would you approach this situation?
You discover that a fellow student has been cheating on exams. What actions do you take?
Your boss asks you to do something that contradicts the company’s guidelines. How would you handle this?
During a professional conference, a senior colleague makes an inappropriate remark about another colleague. What would you do?
Remember that a ‘prompt’ has sub-questions attached to it.