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Test Prep7 min read·Updated April 15, 2026

Casper Test: What It Is and How to Prepare

Casper (now part of Acuity Insights) is a situational judgment test required by many medical, dental, PA, and nursing programs. Here is exactly what to expect and how to prepare.

ByAngela Woodbury·
Key Takeaways
  • Casper is approximately 90–110 minutes with two sections: typed responses and video responses to ethical and interpersonal scenarios.
  • Your score is reported as a quartile (1st–4th), not a number. Most programs use Casper as one screening signal alongside GPA, MCAT/DAT, and experiences.
  • You cannot study content for Casper — but you can prepare by practicing structured response frameworks (acknowledge → consider stakeholders → propose action → reflect).

What Is Casper?

Casper (now part of Acuity Insights, formerly Altus Assessments) is an online situational judgment test required by an increasing number of medical, dental, PA, optometry, and nursing programs. It evaluates non-cognitive attributes — empathy, ethical reasoning, communication, professionalism — that adcoms cannot easily measure through GPA or MCAT.

Casper does not test medical knowledge. It presents you with workplace and ethical scenarios and asks you to respond as you would in real life. Raters evaluate your reasoning, not your "correct" answer.

Format and Timing

Casper is approximately 90–110 minutes and has two sections:

  • Typed section: Scenarios (video clips or text) followed by 3 written response questions, with 5 minutes for typed responses to all three.
  • Video section: Scenarios followed by 2 video response questions, with about 1 minute per response. You see each prompt once before recording.

Most test-takers complete 8–14 scenarios across the test. The exact number varies by sitting.

How Casper Is Scored

Your responses are scored by trained raters using a holistic rubric. Each scenario is reviewed by a different rater to control for individual bias. Your final score is reported as a quartile (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) relative to other test-takers in your applicant pool.

Programs vary in how they use the score. Some screen out 1st-quartile applicants automatically; others use Casper as one signal alongside everything else. Acuity Insights does not publish the exact rubric or per-program weighting.

How to Actually Prepare

You cannot study content for Casper. You can:

  • Practice the response framework. A common scaffold: acknowledge the situation → identify stakeholders → consider perspectives → propose a thoughtful action → reflect on what could go wrong.
  • Improve typing speed. If you are below 50 WPM, 2 weeks of practice can meaningfully increase your output during the 5-minute response windows.
  • Rehearse video responses. Record yourself answering practice prompts to get used to the format. Aim for clear, calm, and structured responses — not perfect ones.
  • Use the free Acuity Insights practice test. It mirrors the exact interface of the real exam.

Two to four weeks of preparation is typical. Returns diminish quickly past that.

Snapshot and Duet (Acuity Suite)

Some programs require additional assessments from the same suite:

  • Snapshot: A one-way video interview where you record responses to 3 questions. About 10 minutes total.
  • Duet: A preference-ranking exercise where you indicate which program characteristics matter most to you. Used as a matching/fit signal.

Snapshot and Duet are scored separately from Casper. Most programs only require Casper, but a growing number now require all three. Check each school's requirements directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not in the traditional sense — there is no content to memorize. But you can practice the response framework, work on typing speed, and rehearse short video responses. Acuity Insights provides free official practice scenarios.

Casper is scored as a quartile (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) based on your performance relative to other test-takers in your applicant pool. The exact rubric is not published, but raters score each response on professionalism, empathy, and ethical reasoning.

Over 100 health professional programs across the US and Canada require Casper, including a growing number of MD, DO, PA, dental, optometry, and nursing programs. Check each school’s requirements — the list changes annually.

Snapshot is a one-way video interview where you record responses to 3 questions. Duet is a preference-ranking assessment. Together with Casper, they form the Acuity Insights (formerly Altus) suite. Some programs require all three.

Most test-takers prepare 2–4 weeks: review the format, complete 5–10 practice scenarios, and improve typing speed if you are below 50 WPM. Beyond that, returns diminish quickly.

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About the Author

Angela Woodbury
Angela Woodbury

Co-Founder · PA School Applicant

B.S. Health SciencesCASPA Applicant 2026Co-Founder, White Coat World

Angela navigated the CASPA process in 2026 alongside building White Coat World. She writes about the experience side of healthcare applications — how to frame your hours, write personal statements, and present yourself as a well-rounded candidate.

Educational Disclaimer: White Coat World provides educational resources for pre-health students. Admissions requirements vary by institution and change each cycle. Always verify shadowing hour requirements, GPA cutoffs, and application deadlines directly with your target schools. This content is not licensed advising.