CASPer Scoring Decoded: What Your Quartile Actually Means

You just got your CASPer results. Your email says: "You have achieved the 3rd quartile."

You immediately panic. Third quartile? That sounds like C-grade, right? You're not in the top 25%?

Stop.

You're misinterpreting your score—and so are most students. This misunderstanding drives unnecessary anxiety and poor decision-making about applications.

The CASPer Scoring System (What They Actually Tell You)

CASPer doesn't give you a raw score out of 100. It gives you a quartile ranking.

Critical insight: If you're in the 3rd quartile, you scored better than 50% of test-takers. That's literally "above average."

Yet most students in the 3rd quartile feel like failures. Why? Because the narrative is "top-heavy"—we hear about students scoring in the 4th quartile, so quartile 3 feels mediocre by comparison.

It's not. It's competitive.

What Does "Competitive" Actually Mean for Your Application?

Here's what university admissions committees actually look at:

• 1st quartile: Unlikely to progress unless other components are exceptional
• 2nd quartile: Possible to progress; other application components must be strong
• 3rd quartile: Competitive; many students interview from this quartile
• 4th quartile: Very competitive advantage

The reality: Many successful medical students accepted to Australian postgraduate programs scored in quartiles 2-3.

Interpreting Your Quartile by University

Different universities weight CASPer differently. Understanding how your quartile translates to competitiveness at your target university matters.

Curtin University (Most CASPer-Heavy)

CASPer is used in the pre-interview ranking alongside GAMSAT and GPA.

Competitiveness by quartile:

• 1st: Very difficult to progress unless GAMSAT/GPA are exceptional
• 2nd: Possible; need strong GAMSAT/GPA to compete
• 3rd: Competitive; many candidates interview from this quartile
• 4th: Significant advantage in pre-interview ranking

Real data: Curtin publicly states that CASPer accounts for ~30-40% of pre-interview ranking. This means even with a 2nd-quartile CASPer, a high GAMSAT can compensate.

University of Notre Dame (Fremantle & Sydney)

CASPer is one component, but less heavily weighted than at Curtin.

Competitiveness: 2nd-3rd quartile is highly competitive; many candidates in these quartiles interview.

University of Wollongong

Uses a scoring algorithm where CASPer (50%) and rurality bonus (50%) determine pre-interview ranking.

The 50% weighting means if you have a rurality bonus, even a 2nd-quartile CASPer is workable.

What If You're Unhappy With Your Quartile?

Option 1: Retake CASPer (Next Application Cycle)

CASPer scores are valid for one application cycle only.

Realistic expectations:

• Average score improvement between retakes: +10-15 percentile points
• This might move you from 2nd to 3rd quartile, or 3rd to low 4th
• It's unlikely to jump you from 2nd to 4th unless you made significant errors first time

Option 2: Accept Your Score and Maximize Other Application Components

If you're in 2nd or 3rd quartile:

• GAMSAT: Get the highest score possible (this is more improvable than CASPer)
• GPA: Highlight strong clinical/postgraduate performance
• Portfolio: Be strategic and compelling
• Interview preparation: If you interview, perform exceptionally

Many students with 2nd-quartile CASPer got into medical school. How? Exceptional GAMSAT (70+), strong GPA (3.8+), compelling written application, and excellent interview performance.

The Final Reframe

CASPer predicts (research shows) moderate correlation with clinical performance and professionalism during medical school.

CASPer does NOT predict your success as a physician 5, 10, or 20 years into practice.

A 2nd-quartile CASPer doesn't mean you'll be a mediocre doctor. A 4th-quartile CASPer doesn't guarantee you'll be an excellent doctor.

A single assessment is a snapshot, not a destiny.