The CASPer Video Response Hack Every Student Gets Wrong

You have one minute. The camera is on. Your face is in the frame. You start speaking, and immediately you notice: your voice sounds weird, you're talking too fast, you can't make eye contact with the camera, there's a weird shadow on your face...

STOP. Video submission. Your response is locked in.

By the time you realize what went wrong, it's too late. This is one of the biggest reasons CASPer performance drops in the video section.

The Technical Setup: Most Students Get This Wrong

Lighting (THE MOST OVERLOOKED FACTOR)

Poor lighting makes you look stressed, tired, and unconvincing. Even if you're saying the right things, bad lighting undermines you.

Bad Lighting:

• You're backlit (window behind you) → your face is dark
• You're sidelit (light from one side only) → you look uneven
• You're underlit (no light source) → you look pale and exhausted

Good Lighting:

• Facing a window (natural light is ideal) → soft, even illumination
• If using artificial light: One lamp in front of you at 45° angle
• If using two lamps: One in front, one to the side (fills shadows)

Test it: Take a selfie. Can you clearly see the whites of your eyes? If not, adjust.

Camera Position

Good Positioning:

• Camera at eye level (adjust your desk/laptop)
• Distance: 18-24 inches (arm's length away)
• The frame: Your face should fill about 60% of the screen

Check this by recording a 10-second test video and reviewing it.

Audio Quality

If your audio is muffled, echoing, or has background noise, the assessor might not understand you—and they can't ask you to repeat.

Audio Solutions:

• Record in a room with soft furnishings (bed, couch, carpet)
• Close nearby doors and windows
• Speak slightly closer to the camera (within arm's length)

Internet Connection

Before test day:

• Run a speed test (speedtest.net)
• Ensure you have at least 5 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload
• If using WiFi: sit close to your router
• Better yet: Use a wired ethernet connection if possible
• Have a mobile hotspot as backup

The Psychological Challenges of Being on Camera

Challenge 1: "I Sound Weird and Look Weird"

When you hear your recorded voice, it sounds different from what you hear in your head. This is normal neurologically.

Solution: Record 3-5 practice videos before your test. By the 3rd time, your brain normalizes it.

Challenge 2: "I Keep Looking at Myself Instead of the Camera"

When you look at yourself on the screen (your video preview), you lose eye contact with the camera. This makes you look evasive.

Solution: Turn OFF your video preview during recording. You should only see the camera lens, not yourself.

Challenge 3: "I Talk Too Fast Under Pressure"

When you're nervous, your speech rate increases. Fast speech sounds anxious and is harder to understand.

Solution:

• Imagine an elderly person listening. You'll subconsciously slow down
• Pause between ideas. Silence feels longer to you than to viewers
• Count your words per minute. Aim for 100-120 words per minute (not 160+)

The 60-Second Structure That Works on Camera

Video doesn't give you time for a full SPIES or STARR breakdown. You need a compressed version.

The Compressed Framework (Video-Optimized):

• Seconds 0-10: Situation + Your Role
• Seconds 10-35: Your Reasoning
• Seconds 35-55: Your Action
• Seconds 55-60: Brief Reflection

Final Checklist: 48 Hours Before Your Test

• ✅ Lighting is optimized (tested with a video)
• ✅ Camera angle is correct (eye level, arm's length distance)
• ✅ Audio is clear (no echo, minimal background noise)
• ✅ Internet speed is sufficient (5+ Mbps)
• ✅ Device is fully charged
• ✅ You've recorded and reviewed 3+ practice videos
• ✅ You're comfortable with the pacing (100-120 words per minute)
• ✅ You've done a full tech check on the actual CASPer platform

You're ready.