The implementation of the Casper situational judgement exam is in its very early stages in the UK, despite its popularity in medical school admissions testing worldwide.
In 2023, the first UK trial of the Casper Exam started, and it is likely to be integrated into the medical school admissions process in the future.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Casper test for UK medical schools, from its structure and its purpose to its pilot programme, prospects and how to prepare yourself best in case you are also sitting the Casper test in 2024.
Casper Test Summary
Overview?: An overview of the CASPER situational judgement test for UK medical schools.
Test Structure: The test includes 12 sections assessing key skills like empathy, ethics, and problem-solving.
Pilot Insights: Insights from the 2023/2024 NHS CASPER pilot involving five UK medical schools.
How to Prepare: Essential tips and resources for effective CASPER test preparation.
Costs and Technical Requirements: Information on the CASPER test costs and necessary technical requirements.
What Is The Casper Test?
The Casper test is a situational judgement tool that was trialled by 5 UK medical schools in the 2023/2024 admissions cycle during the interview process.
The tool is currently part of a number of medical school admissions processes across the United States, Canada and Australia.
It was designed to evaluate an applicant's situational judgement as a reflection of their personal and professional values.
It is likely that these medical schools will continue using the Casper test in 2025 entry interviews, and this may at some point be used to score applicants.
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What Is The Structure Of The Casper Test?
The Casper exam is sat online and lasts 90 minutes.
It’s formed of 12 sections, with 8 video-based scenarios and 4 word-based scenarios, which the candidate is questioned about.
The 12 responses are then anonymised and scored separately.
There are 10 domains that the Casper exam assesses.
These include:
Collaboration
Ethics
Problem-solving
Resilience
Communication
Equity
Motivation
Professionalism
Self-awareness
These domains cover attributes which are vital for a doctor working in the NHS and hence align with the NHS core values.
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Why Was The Casper Pilot Launched?
Launched by NHS England, the CASPer pilot aimed to trial the exam as a new admissions tool asset for determining a candidate's suitability for medical school.
Some students applying to the selected 5 medical schools were offered the opportunity to sit the exam, although this was not mandatory and was not used as part of the admissions process.
Students were made aware that their involvement in the Casper pilot did not have any bearing or influence on the outcome of their medical school application.
Casper results were compared to the student’s attainment at the interview and offer holder status.
This data was then used to determine the usefulness of the Casper tool in indicating an applicant's suitability for medical school.
The results of this have not yet been finalised, but this data will provide evidence for or against the use of the Casper exam in the admissions process for subsequent years.
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Which Medical Schools Offered The Casper Test In The Pilot?
5 medical schools were involved in the NHS England pilot, including:
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When Did The Casper Pilot Run In The UK?
The Casper pilot ran for students applying for medical school in the 2023/2024 admissions cycle.
All students were encouraged to complete the test before the 30th of November.
The 5 involved universities and NHS England have not confirmed whether the pilot will continue in 2024/2025.
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How Much Does The Casper Exam Cost?
Varying per institution, the Casper exam is forecast to cost around £30 per sit.
In the 2023/2024 admissions cycle, students did not pay to sit the examination, as the pilot was funded by NHS England.
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What Do You Need To Sit The Casper Exam?
To sit Casper, you will need access to a device with a working webcam and audio, such as a laptop or desktop PC. You will also need access to a stable internet connection.
To create an account and to sit the test, you will further need a valid photo ID, such as a passport or driving license and an email address.
Do You Need To Revise For The Casper Test?
The Casper exam is yet to be administered as part of the formal application process to medical school, however, candidates may find themselves wishing to prepare early.
Unlike the UCAT examination, Casper assesses only professional and personal values.
Currently, the SJT portion of the UCAT exam is used to assess these domains.
If a student were to prepare for the test, we would recommend familiarising themselves with the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice, and the format of the Casper test.
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What Does The Casper Test Assess For In Medical Students?
The Casper exam assesses a candidate's values, judgements and decisions in particular scenarios - a form of assessment known as "situational judgment".
Like medical interviews, Casper assesses applicants at an individual, non-academic level to gauge how they might react to and handle real-life challenges.
This aims to measure whether a student would excel or struggle in a high-paced, challenging healthcare environment, managing interactions with colleagues and patients.
How to Prepare for the Casper Test for UK Medical Schools
The Casper test is being increasingly recognised by UK medical schools to evaluate applicants' non-cognitive skills such as empathy, ethics, and communication (currently in pilot mode). Here’s a guide to help you prepare effectively for the Casper test, tailored specifically for UK applicants.
This is how we would prepare for the casper test if we were asked to sit it this year:
1) Understand the Casper Test Structure
The Casper test consists of 14 scenarios, divided into video responses and typed responses. You’ll be presented with 8 video-based scenarios and 6 word-based scenarios, each followed by open-ended questions.
Video Response Section: Respond verbally to two word-based and four video-based scenarios, with one minute per question.
Typed Response Section: Answer three questions for each of five video-based and three word-based scenarios, with five minutes per set.
2) Practise with Sample Questions
Familiarise yourself with the types of questions and scenarios you’ll encounter by practising with sample questions available on the Acuity Insights website. This practice will help you understand the format and refine your response strategies.
3) Master Ethical Guidelines
Review the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Good Medical Practice guidelines. Understanding these principles is crucial as the Casper test often presents ethical dilemmas requiring you to demonstrate your adherence to these standards.
4) Develop Structured Responses
Use structured approaches to frame your answers effectively. For instance:
If/Then Statements: Use conditional statements to show your consideration of multiple perspectives and outcomes. E.g., "If this is the case, then I would respond by... However, if this is the situation, I would instead..."
5) Improve Your Typing and Communication Skills
For the typed response section, practice typing quickly and accurately. This ensures you can articulate comprehensive answers within the time constraints. For the video response section, practice speaking clearly and confidently. Record yourself answering sample questions and review your performance for clarity, pace, and engagement.
6) Familiarise Yourself with UK Healthcare Scenarios
Understand typical scenarios you might encounter in the UK healthcare system. This includes being aware of NHS values, patient confidentiality, informed consent, and dealing with resource limitations. Look at our blog for more information on this.
7) Ethical and Professional Scenarios
Reflect on past experiences where you demonstrated key competencies such as empathy, resilience, and ethical decision-making. These reflections can help you provide authentic and well-rounded responses during the test.
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Tips For Sitting The Casper Exam
Given that the Casper exam is sat online from home, our biggest advice is to plan ahead!
This involves several steps which we've summarised below for you:
Ensure you have a quiet place to take your exam - This may involve making your family aware that you'll need quiet, or inquiring about using a room at your local library.
Have backup technology available - Computers always seem to fail at the worst time, so avoid the stress of technological failure, by having a backup device available to use if possible!
Choose a good time for your test - When booking your UK Casper test, you'll have a choice of days and times to sit your exam. We recommend thinking carefully about when the largest risk of disruption is for yourself, and avoiding this time!
Following these steps should help alleviate your anxiety on the day of your Casper exam, allowing you to focus on your performance!
Casper Exam Practice Questions
Casper Mock Scenario & Practice Questions
Ethical Casper Scenario
You are a junior doctor in a busy hospital emergency department. You overhear an interaction between a nurse and a patient at the reception desk. The patient is here to seek medical attention for severe abdominal pain but does not have any form of identification or health insurance and claims to have no money. Despite assurances by the patient that she urgently needs medical help, the nurse informs the patient that, while they can offer basic first aid, hospital policy requires proof of identity and insurance for further treatment. The patient informs the nurse that she is a homeless individual and desperately needs the money she has for food and shelter. While the department head can override this policy, he is currently in a meeting that will last another hour. The nurse turns to you for advice given that you have been working in the emergency department for longer than she has.
Ethical Questions
What steps would you take to address the patient's immediate medical needs given the current hospital policy?
How would you balance the hospital’s policy with the ethical obligation to provide care to someone in urgent need?
What alternatives could you suggest to ensure the patient receives the necessary medical attention without violating hospital policy?
How would you handle the situation if the department head remains unavailable for an extended period?
What considerations would you take into account regarding the patient's socioeconomic status and its impact on their health and well-being?
These questions aim to assess a medical school applicant's ability to navigate complex ethical situations, prioritise patient care, and consider the broader implications of healthcare policies.
Casper Pilot Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Casper test for UK medical school?
The Casper test is a situational judgement tool used to assess an applicant's personal and professional values, currently being trialled by some UK medical schools.
How does the Casper test differ from other medical school entrance exams?
Unlike exams like the UCAT, which test cognitive abilities, Casper focuses on evaluating non-academic attributes such as empathy, ethics, and professionalism through situational judgement scenarios.
What is the structure of the Casper test?
The Casper exam is conducted online, lasting 90 minutes, and consists of 12 sections with 8 video-based scenarios and 4 word-based scenarios.
Which attributes does the Casper test assess?
The test evaluates 10 domains: collaboration, empathy, ethics, problem-solving, resilience, communication, equity, motivation, professionalism, and self-awareness.
Why was the Casper test pilot launched in the UK?
NHS England launched the Casper pilot to trial the exam as a new tool for assessing the suitability of candidates for medical school, aiming to align with the NHS core values.
Which UK medical schools participated in the Casper pilot?
The 2023/2024 pilot included Anglia Ruskin University, Brunel Medical School, Three Counties Medical School at The University of Worcester, Aston Medical School, and Kent and Medway Medical School.
Is the Casper test mandatory for medical school admissions in the UK?
As of the 2023/2024 admissions cycle, participation in the Casper test pilot was voluntary and did not influence the outcome of medical school applications. Any applicants that did take Casper exams, did so to contribute to the understanding of the tool's use.
How much does it cost to take the Casper test?
The Casper exam is expected to cost around £30 per sitting, though during the 2023/2024 pilot, the exam was funded by NHS England and free for students.
When did the Casper pilot run for UK medical schools?
The Casper pilot was conducted for students applying in the 2023/2024 admissions cycle. Students who sat the Casper organised their test date to be before the cutoff of 30th November 2023.
Do I need to prepare for the Casper test?
Currently, it is not necessary to prepare for Casper, but familiarising yourself with the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice and the test format could be beneficial. There are also practice tests available on the Casper website.
