What Is CASPer, And Why Does It Matter?
A Complete Guide to the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics
CASPer Explained: The Basics
CASPer is an online situational judgment test (SJT) designed to assess non-cognitive skills—the personal and professional characteristics that make great doctors. It's not about knowing medical knowledge; it's about demonstrating how you think, communicate, and handle ethical dilemmas.
Duration of the test
Scenarios (text & video)
Domains assessed
The 10 CASPer Domains Explained
Click on each domain to learn more about what universities evaluate
Why It Matters
Medicine is a team sport. You'll work with nurses, specialists, allied health professionals, and other doctors. Can you contribute without dominating? Can you listen?
What Examiners Look For
Evidence of teamwork, acknowledgment of others' perspectives, willingness to compromise
Example Scenario
You're on a medical team, and a nurse disagrees with your approach. How do you respond?
Why It Matters
Miscommunication in healthcare can be dangerous. You must explain diagnoses to patients, relay test results to families, and coordinate with colleagues.
What Examiners Look For
Clarity, conciseness, empathy in tone, ability to adapt language to audience
Example Scenario
A patient asks why their test was ordered. Explain it to them—you have 2 minutes.
Why It Matters
Patients aren't just diagnoses. They're scared, vulnerable, and need to feel heard.
What Examiners Look For
Acknowledgment of emotions, validating patient experiences, genuine concern (not performative)
Example Scenario
A patient is angry about their treatment delay. How do you respond?
Why It Matters
You'll face gray areas every day—resource allocation, confidentiality, end-of-life care, conflicts of interest.
What Examiners Look For
Clear ethical reasoning, consideration of stakeholder perspectives, acknowledgment of nuance
Example Scenario
A family member asks you to withhold information from the patient. What do you do?
Why It Matters
Medicine is constant problem-solving. Not every issue has a textbook answer.
What Examiners Look For
Logical thinking, consideration of multiple approaches, prioritization
Example Scenario
You're overbooked, a patient is in crisis, and your supervisor is unavailable. How do you prioritize?
Why It Matters
Patients trust doctors. Breach that trust, and people are harmed.
What Examiners Look For
Integrity, reliability, appropriate boundaries, respect
Example Scenario
A colleague is clearly exhausted and making mistakes. How do you handle it?
Why It Matters
Doctors who don't recognize their limits are dangerous. Self-awareness drives learning.
What Examiners Look For
Honesty about limitations, willingness to seek feedback, understanding of personal biases
Example Scenario
You've made a mistake in patient care. Describe your response.
Why It Matters
Medicine is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. You need to bounce back.
What Examiners Look For
Coping strategies, learning from failure, maintaining perspective
Example Scenario
A patient you've been managing deteriorates. How do you process this?
Why It Matters
Healthcare disparities exist. Doctors who recognize bias can fight it.
What Examiners Look For
Awareness of systemic issues, commitment to fair treatment, acknowledgment of privilege
Example Scenario
You notice a pattern of misdiagnosis in a particular demographic. What do you do?
Why It Matters
Medicine is a calling, not just a career. Your motivation keeps you going.
What Examiners Look For
Clear reasons for pursuing medicine, realistic understanding of the profession, personal drive
Example Scenario
Describe your journey to medicine and what keeps you motivated.
What CASPer Actually Looks Like
The Test Flow
- 1Scenario presented as text OR video
1-2 minutes to read/watch
- 2Questions related to the scenario
Usually 2-3 questions per scenario
- 3Response time
5 minutes to type or 1 minute to record video
- 4Move to next scenario
Repeat for all 14-15 scenarios
Text Responses
- • Type your answer in the text box
- • 5 minutes time limit per scenario
- • No editing after submission
- • Most common format
Video Responses
- • You appear on camera (webcam recording)
- • 1-2 minutes to respond
- • Can't edit—it's live
- • Tests confidence and presence
Australian Universities Requiring CASPer
For the 2025-2026 application cycle
| University | Program |
|---|---|
| Curtin University | Medicine (Undergrad & Postgrad) |
| University of Notre Dame Fremantle | Medicine (Postgrad) |
| University of Notre Dame Sydney | Medicine (Postgrad) |
| University of Wollongong | Medicine (Postgrad) |
Important: Always verify current requirements on official university websites, as admissions requirements change yearly.
Common CASPer Misconceptions
Myths vs. Reality
"CASPer is about having the 'right' answer."
CASPer has no 'right answer.' Examiners want to see your reasoning. Two candidates can give completely different responses and both score highly if their reasoning is sound.
"You need medical knowledge to ace CASPer."
Zero medical knowledge required. You're evaluated on soft skills—empathy, communication, ethics. A high school student and a postgrad can compete equally.
"If you're naturally empathetic, you'll score high."
Empathy isn't enough. You must demonstrate it clearly, concisely, and with specific examples. CASPer rewards articulation, not just feelings.
"CASPer is just common sense."
It's common sense PLUS specific frameworks. Candidates who've learned SPIES/STARR frameworks consistently outperform those who wing it.
"Your CASPer score doesn't matter if your UCAT/GAMSAT is perfect."
Universities weight CASPer heavily. Poor CASPer can filter out candidates with excellent test scores.
"You can't really prepare for CASPer."
You can. Practice with feedback improves scores measurably. Students who prep score higher than those who don't.
How to Prepare (The Right Way)
5 Core Principles for CASPer Success
Practice in the actual format
If you'll answer on video, practice on video (not just typing). Time yourself—speed matters. Get comfortable with the interface before test day.
Learn a framework (like SPIES or STARR)
SPIES: Situation, Problem Identification, Evaluation, Empathy, Solution. STARR: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection. These structures help you organize thoughts under pressure.
Record yourself and listen back
You'll catch things written responses miss: tone, pacing, filler words. You'll see where you ramble vs. where you're clear.
Study real scenarios (not generic ones)
Practice with CASPer-style scenarios that feel authentic. Generic 'ethics' questions don't prepare you for the nuance CASPer tests.
Get feedback from someone who knows CASPer
Not all feedback is equal. AI feedback trained on CASPer patterns is valuable. Feedback from admissions experts or physicians is even better.
When Should You Start Preparing?
Recommended preparation timeline
Start learning about CASPer, practice 1-2 scenarios to understand format
Commit to regular practice (2-3 scenarios per week), learn SPIES/STARR framework
Increase frequency (4-5 scenarios per week), focus on weak domains
Full-length practice simulations, review feedback from all previous attempts
Light practice (1-2 scenarios), review key frameworks, mental preparation
Rest. Don't practice. Trust your prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common CASPer questions
Ready to Start Your CASPer Preparation?
Understanding CASPer is the first step. The next is practice—real, deliberate practice with feedback.
5 free scenarios. No credit card. See the difference.