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Two weeks can be enough time to practice if you focus on the right things. However, if you have more time, definitely use it. Here's what I'd recommend to prepare in 14 days:
What is the CASPer test?
CASPer is an online test developed by Acuity Insights. It presents a series of video and text-based scenarios and asks you to respond to questions about what you would do, analyse different options, and reflect on how you would feel about both present and past situations. It's designed to assess qualities like empathy, communication, professionalism, and ethics. It's used across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia for healthcare programs like medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, and increasingly across other disciplines too.
The test format: know this before you practice anything
11 scenarios total: 4 video and 7 typed. Each scenario has two questions. The entire test takes about 65 to 85 minutes.
Typed: You review a text or video prompt and have a brief prep window before the typing time begins. You then have 3 minutes 30 seconds across both questions combined, and there's no enforced split.
Video: You review a text or video prompt and respond verbally. You get 1 minute per question and a brief prep window before recording starts.
Week 1 - foundations
The first thing to understand is that CASPer mainly has three different question types, and they each need a different approach.
Situational questions ask what you would do. The focus is action and decision-making; you need to consider everyone involved and describe what you'd do.
Judgment questions ask you to weigh up a position or ethical dilemma. They're asking you to analyse options and justify a view.
Reflective questions ask about your personal experiences or how you'd feel in a situation. These are asking you to go inward: your feelings, self-awareness and insights.
Start your first few sessions untimed. Get comfortable identifying the question type and structuring your response accordingly before you add the clock. Switch to timed practice once the structure feels natural and note where you run out of time - that's your week 2 target list.
Week 2 - sharpen what week 1 revealed
Start week 2 by taking the free Acuity Insights practice test - it gives you a feel for the real format and timing before you go into your final push.
Target your weakest question types. If reflective questions feel hard, one of the most useful things you can do is build a bank of personal experiences mapped to the nine aspects CASPer tests, one real experience per aspect that you can draw on when a reflective question comes up. The nine aspects are collaboration, communication, empathy, fairness, ethics, motivation, problem-solving, resilience, and self-awareness. Having something real and specific for each one means you're never starting from scratch mid-test.
Do video practice. Speaking under time pressure feels completely different to typing, and if you haven't done it before the test, it can catch you off guard.
Try to cover all nine aspects across your sessions. Don't leave whole areas untouched.
Final 3 days
Three days out - check which question types and aspects you haven't practised yet and target those. Also review your tech setup: complete the Acuity Insights system requirements check using the same setup you'll use on test day. Check your webcam, microphone, keyboard, browser, and internet connection.
Day before - Do a final review with no intense practice.
Test day - Light review but no cramming. Stop any last-minute reviewing at least 60 minutes before you start.
Best of luck on your test. Any questions, feel free to ask!
Helena
Response Method
SDN20 for 20% off any premium plan: responsemethod.com
What is the CASPer test?
CASPer is an online test developed by Acuity Insights. It presents a series of video and text-based scenarios and asks you to respond to questions about what you would do, analyse different options, and reflect on how you would feel about both present and past situations. It's designed to assess qualities like empathy, communication, professionalism, and ethics. It's used across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia for healthcare programs like medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, and increasingly across other disciplines too.
The test format: know this before you practice anything
11 scenarios total: 4 video and 7 typed. Each scenario has two questions. The entire test takes about 65 to 85 minutes.
Typed: You review a text or video prompt and have a brief prep window before the typing time begins. You then have 3 minutes 30 seconds across both questions combined, and there's no enforced split.
Video: You review a text or video prompt and respond verbally. You get 1 minute per question and a brief prep window before recording starts.
Week 1 - foundations
The first thing to understand is that CASPer mainly has three different question types, and they each need a different approach.
Situational questions ask what you would do. The focus is action and decision-making; you need to consider everyone involved and describe what you'd do.
Judgment questions ask you to weigh up a position or ethical dilemma. They're asking you to analyse options and justify a view.
Reflective questions ask about your personal experiences or how you'd feel in a situation. These are asking you to go inward: your feelings, self-awareness and insights.
Start your first few sessions untimed. Get comfortable identifying the question type and structuring your response accordingly before you add the clock. Switch to timed practice once the structure feels natural and note where you run out of time - that's your week 2 target list.
Week 2 - sharpen what week 1 revealed
Start week 2 by taking the free Acuity Insights practice test - it gives you a feel for the real format and timing before you go into your final push.
Target your weakest question types. If reflective questions feel hard, one of the most useful things you can do is build a bank of personal experiences mapped to the nine aspects CASPer tests, one real experience per aspect that you can draw on when a reflective question comes up. The nine aspects are collaboration, communication, empathy, fairness, ethics, motivation, problem-solving, resilience, and self-awareness. Having something real and specific for each one means you're never starting from scratch mid-test.
Do video practice. Speaking under time pressure feels completely different to typing, and if you haven't done it before the test, it can catch you off guard.
Try to cover all nine aspects across your sessions. Don't leave whole areas untouched.
Final 3 days
Three days out - check which question types and aspects you haven't practised yet and target those. Also review your tech setup: complete the Acuity Insights system requirements check using the same setup you'll use on test day. Check your webcam, microphone, keyboard, browser, and internet connection.
Day before - Do a final review with no intense practice.
Test day - Light review but no cramming. Stop any last-minute reviewing at least 60 minutes before you start.
Best of luck on your test. Any questions, feel free to ask!
Helena
Response Method
SDN20 for 20% off any premium plan: responsemethod.com
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