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General Questions about Acuity Insights Assessments
After the Casper Test: Scores and Distribution
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General Questions about Acuity Insights Assessments:
What is Acuity Insights Assessments?
Acuity Insights Assessments is comprised of:
- Casper – an open-response, situational judgment test that evaluates aspects of applicants’ social intelligence and professionalism such as ethics, empathy, problem-solving and collaboration
- Snapshot – a short, one-way video interview that further probes applicants’ communication skills, self reflection and motivation for the profession
- Duet – a value-alignment assessment that compares what applicants value most in a program to what the programs have to offer (only applies to applicants to US undergraduate and graduate medical programs).
Together, these standardized selection tools paint a more complete picture of who you are so that programs consider more than just your grades.
Why do programs require Acuity Insights Assessments?
Programs are looking to make sure that students are not only academically capable but also possess suitable personal and professional qualities that make them more likely to succeed on the job.
Why are there multiple parts to Acuity Insights Assessments?
Each part of Acuity Insights Assessments focuses on specific personal and professional attributes to paint a more complete picture of who you are. Acuity Insights Assessments gives you multiple opportunities to showcase your people skills, while programs benefit from using this information at multiple points throughout their processes to make informed decisions.
Are all assessments from Acuity Insights mandatory?
It depends on the type of program(s) you’re applying to. Paramedics, applicants to programs in the UK, applicants to Canadian and US business schools and applicants to Canadian post-graduate medical programs are only taking Casper at this time. Acuity Insights Assessments (Casper, Snapshot, and Duet), is only applicable to undergraduate and graduate medical programs, while Casper and Snapshot may be applicable to all other programs. To know the specifics about your programs’ Acuity Insights Assessments requirements, please check our Dates and Fees page and your individual program’s website(s) for information on whether Snapshot and/or Duet is an admissions requirement or not.
How do I verify whether my program requires me to take all components of Acuity Insights Assessments?
We recommend that you check which components of Acuity Insights Assessments are required by your program for their admissions process by visiting our Dates and Fees page and also on the program’s individual website(s). Please be informed that Snapshot and Duet are included in Acuity Insights Assessments at no extra cost and do not require reservations. Snapshot and Duet take approximately 15 minutes each to complete.
Do I have to take all parts of Acuity Insights Assessments at once?
No. While you have to take the Casper test at a specific time, Snapshot and Duet can be completed anytime after booking your Casper test and no later than 14 days after taking the Casper test. Please note that Duet is only applicable to US undergraduate and graduate medical programs. Also, please check our Dates and Fees page and your program website(s) for information on whether Snapshot is an admissions requirement or not.
When do I need to complete Acuity Insights Assessments?
You must take the Casper test on one of the dates indicated for the program(s) you wish to apply to, as shown on the Dates and Fees page. All test dates and distribution deadlines are pre-arranged with academic programs and tests are processed as a group to ensure timely delivery of scores. Be sure to reserve your Casper test at least 3 days in advance of your desired test date to allow for identity verification and payment processing timelines. Last-minute bookings are not recommended. If you require testing accommodations, you must submit all necessary forms and supporting documentation 3 weeks prior to the time of your scheduled test.
If you are applying to a program that requires Snapshot or Duet, we recommend that you complete it within 14 days after taking Casper. This will ensure that all components of your Acuity Insights Assessments are available together to be considered by your program(s). Please check the Dates and Fees page and your program website(s) for information on whether Snapshot or Duet are an admissions requirement or not. Should individual program requirements change, you will still be able to complete Snapshot or Duet at any time before your earliest program distribution deadline, as shown on the Dates and Fees page.
If you choose not to, or are unable to, complete Snapshot and/or Duet, your Casper score will still be sent to the program(s) on your distribution list, though your Snapshot response and/or Duet scores will be empty. Keep in mind that typed Casper scores are distributed approximately 2-3 weeks after the test date.
Important: Check the time zone carefully to ensure you have the correct date and time for your test. Test times are in the North American Eastern time zone EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) or EST (Eastern Savings Time), unless indicated otherwise. To avoid time zone scheduling issues, check the countdown timer on your test page in your Acuity Insights account.
How long will it take to complete Acuity Insights Assessments?
It depends on what program you’re applying to, but it can take anywhere between 120-150 minutes. Casper takes about 100-120 minutes to complete, while Snapshot and Duet each take about 10-15 minutes.
How much does it cost to take Acuity Insights Assessments?
Please visit the Dates and Fees page to view the fees for your Acuity Insights Assessments.
What if a program I am applying to says that only Casper is required?
Acuity Insights Assessments is new for the 2021/22 admissions cycle, and as such, some programs may still list only Casper as a requirement on their websites.
If a particular program has indicated that they will not be considering Snapshot (or Duet, for applicants to US Medicine and GME programs) for their admissions decisions, it is still recommended that you complete them within 14 days of taking Casper. This will ensure that all components of your Acuity Insights Assessments are available together to be considered by your program(s), if they are an admissions requirement as per the program website(s). Should individual program requirements change, you will still be able to complete Snapshot and/or Duet at any time before your earliest program distribution deadline, as shown on the Dates and Fees page.
Casper results will be sent to programs 2-3 weeks after your test, regardless of whether Snapshot and Duet have been completed, though your Snapshot response and/or Duet scores will be empty.
Snapshot allows you to demonstrate your communication skills, motivation, and ability to self-reflect, giving programs a preview of who you are as an individual. Duet gives you a chance to highlight your application to programs where there is strong alignment between what you value in a program and what the program can offer to you.
Snapshot and Duet are included in Acuity Insights Assessments at no extra cost and do not require reservations. Snapshot and Duet take approximately 10 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively, to complete.
How is Acuity Insights Assessments evaluated?
Each part of Acuity Insights Assessments is evaluated differently, but together they aim to highlight different aspects of your personal and professional qualities.
- Casper is scored by a diverse group of human raters. Each section of a test is scored by a different rater. The group of raters reflects the diversity of the population. All raters are extensively trained, vetted and invested in the future of the profession. The Acuity Insights team has numerous quality assurance measures in place to ensure the integrity of scores assigned by our raters.
- Snapshot is rated by the programs. Like our Casper raters, those who rate Snapshot responses go through extensive training, including implicit bias, and they’re provided rubrics to guide their reviews.
- Duet scores are automatically generated based on the alignment between your rankings and those of the programs to which you’re applying (programs complete the Duet assessment first).
How do programs use Acuity Insights Assessments scores?
Acuity Insights Assessments is flexible and can be used in different ways by programs at multiple points in their process so that they’re considering an applicant’s personal and professional attributes the whole way through. Results can be used early on in the process, aid in selecting candidates to interview or prioritize applicants in the ranking/offer process.
How long are my Acuity Insights Assessments results valid for?
Your results are only valid for a single application cycle, and only for the program type for which you completed Acuity Insights Assessments.
Do I have to register and pay for Casper, Snapshot, and Duet separately?
No. While you have to book a specific date to take the Casper test, you are only making one payment to take all applicable parts of Acuity Insights Assessments.
What payment methods are accepted?
After completing the registration process for your Acuity Insights Assessments account, you will be able to reserve your Casper test and pay for the suite of assessments.
All payments must be made with a valid credit card. We accept major credit cards, including, but not limited to, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Debit cards are not accepted.
Please ensure to provide the exact email address, telephone number and the billing address your credit card bank has on file for you.
Since we are a Canadian company, some banks in other countries may block your payment in order to prevent fraud. If you reside outside of Canada, please contact your bank to ensure that your payment is authorized.
Please Note:
- The charge on your credit card will be displayed as Acuity Insights Inc.
- Incorrect program selection or change of mind is not grounds for a refund.
- All payments are valid for the current admissions cycle.
- All fees are non-refundable.
What are program fee waivers and coupons?
Program Fee Waivers or coupons are used by a small subset of programs that have requested to absorb the assessment fee for their applicants. Programs providing Program Fee Waivers will communicate this directly to their applicants via email.
Acuity Insights does not provide Program Fee Waiver codes to applicants.
Program Fee Waiver codes will only cover the base fee + distribution fee to that particular program. For US UME programs, that will be the base fee which includes 8 distributions. Codes are associated with applicant email addresses and can only be used one time. All other distribution fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
What is the US-based Fee Assistance program and who is eligible?
The US-based Fee Assistance Program assists US applicants who, without financial assistance would be unable to take certain tests such as Acuity Insights Assessments and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to programs that use the AACOMAS, and more. Applicants with FAP-approved status from the below noted Fee Assistance Programs, will receive access to Acuity Insights Assessments at $0, which includes all program distributions. Applicants who have demonstrated their eligibility from the below noted Fee Assistance Programs should please contact us with proof of your Fee Assistance Program status via support@acuityinsights.app or through the orange bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your account. Please note: If proof of your FAP approval is not provided prior to your test, Acuity Insights may issue an invoice for the outstanding balance on your account.
The US-based Fee Assistance Programs that are currently honoured for Acuity Insights Assessments for the 2022/23 cycle are:
- AAMC
- AACOMAS
- NursingCAS (only for Hofstra University – Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and University of Colorado Denver, Graduate Nursing)
- Texas JAMP
- Texas Early Assurance
Please visit the websites of each of these fee assistance programs to view the eligibility criteria.
What is the refund policy?
All fees are non-refundable and only valid for the then-current admissions cycle.
You can find information regarding this policy in our Terms of Use (Section 6: Fees and Payments) and on the Dates and Fees page.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to reserve a test only once they are certain that they need to take it. Selecting an incorrect program, test language, or admissions cycle as well as having a change of mind, or no longer needing a test is not grounds for a refund.
Does Acuity Insights offer test prep services for a fee?
No. Acuity Insights Inc., the company behind the Acuity Insights Assessments, is in no way affiliated with test preparation companies offering Acuity Insights Assessments preparation or coaching services. Any claims of a quantitative improvement in scores from these third-party companies are not valid. We do not offer any paid test prep or coaching services outside the practice sessions and scenarios available on your official Acuity Insights Assessments user account or on the acuityinsights.app website.
We strongly encourage all students and their parents (or guardians) to proceed with caution when reviewing the services offered by such third parties, as none of them have been verified nor are they supported by Acuity Insights. We have seen advice given by these companies that can be detrimental to an applicant’s score, so we advise you to be careful. We recommend you use the resources we have provided on the acuityinsights.app website to prepare for the assessments.
Is there a phone number to contact Acuity Insights?
Acuity Insights does not offer phone support.
We offer online support via our messaging system. To access this, click on the orange chat bubble located on the bottom right of your screen when on the website or in your Acuity Insights account.
You can also email support@acuityinsights.app with your questions. Our support team typically replies within one business day.
For all Casper tests, our support team is available for live-chat via our online messaging system one hour before the start times and for the duration of the tests. During testing hours, our response time is much quicker, so you will be connected to a knowledgeable support person and have your questions answered within a couple of minutes!
Please note: We do not call applicants. If you receive a phone call from anyone claiming to be an Acuity Insights or Casper representative, please hang up and contact us immediately.
I am applying to a program that accepts English or French Casper tests. Can I send my score from both?
Applicants are not permitted to send both their French and English Casper scores to the same program. Programs only receive one Casper score per applicant per admissions cycle.
Applicants are only permitted to complete Acuity Insights Assessments in the language(s) offered by the program they are applying to. Some programs will offer testing opportunities in both French and English. However, those programs will only accept either an English OR French Casper test score.
If you are applying to programs offered in both English and French, you can complete Acuity Insights Assessments in both languages. You must choose to add the program to either your English or French distribution list, not both.
Please note that once a Casper test has been taken, you cannot remove a program from your distribution list; this can only happen before your scheduled test date.
To determine what programs will accept either French or English Acuity Insights Assessments results, please visit our Dates and Fees page.
Understanding and preparing for Casper
What is the Casper test used for?
Casper is used by academic programs to obtain a more reliable and meaningful assessment of applicants’ personal competencies. It is meant to be a way for programs to get a better sense of their applicant pool.
For programs, this means not only selecting applicants with the highest potential for success, but also ensuring that they are selecting a diverse group of students to reflect the increasing diversity of the patient population.
The scores from the video response section of the Casper test which will only be shared with early adopter programs once they’ve met the required statistical thresholds, can be used as another data point in addition to a program’s existing data points in much later stages of a program’s admissions process. So, that means not while they’re looking at a large pool of applicants, but when they’re deciding between a smaller sample, either before interview or before providing an offer.
Please contact your academic program(s) for the most up to date information regarding the admission process, requirements, and deadlines.
What does Casper measure?
Casper is an open-response, situational judgment test that evaluates aspects of your social intelligence and professionalism such as ethics, empathy, problem-solving and collaboration.
Why is there a video response format in Casper?
The new Casper test format is an evolution of our traditional Casper test and includes 2 response sections: a typed response section and a video response section. We received feedback from our applicants around Casper being a speed/typing test. We heard this feedback clearly and we are doing all we can to ensure it’s an equitable test for all applicants.
In the 2021-2022 admission cycle, we ran a pilot experiment that captured video responses to Casper scenarios at the end of the Casper test. Based on the emerging data, we saw promising results and received positive impressions from applicants on this response format. Therefore, we are exploring this further while also examining reliability and validity of the test. For this, we are introducing a new solution to applicants and including a video response section in our Casper test, and we believe this may be beneficial for our applicants in the long run as well as give applicants an additional mode of communication and expression of thought.
How is the new Casper different from Snapshot?
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test that evaluates responses related to social intelligence and professionalism where each test section is rated by highly trained raters. Its scores are used by programs to understand each applicant’s abilities in this difficult-to-measure domain.
Snapshot is a structured, one-way video interview assessment that was developed to give applicants the opportunity to bring their personal statement to life. It allows programs to get to know applicants better by giving them an on-demand glimpse into each applicant’s communication, self-reflection and motivation. The video interviews are reviewed and rated by individual programs.
Why are webcams mandatory?
Webcams are a strict requirement for your Casper test as part of our identity assertion, proctoring methods and for answering the second section of your Casper test where you would be required to record video responses. and proctoring methods. Your webcam must be active, uncovered, and facing towards you throughout the duration of your test.
While your microphone should be close to your mouth, the device volume should be adjusted and you should speak as clearly as possible for the video response section of your Casper test.
During your Casper test, Acuity Insights may, at any time and from time to time, remotely monitor your access to the service to ensure compliance with the Terms of Use.
Please ensure you have access to a working computer with a webcam, microphone and a reliable internet connection with a bandwidth speed of at least 2 MB/s to use for your account registration and test.
Please ensure you have access to a working computer with a webcam to use for your account registration and test.
How do I reserve my test?
After you have completed the registration for your Acuity Insights Assessments account, you’ll be able to reserve a test.
- Click ‘+ Reserve new test’ on the Acuity Insights Assessments homepage.
- Select the country which the program(s) you are applying to reside in.
- Select the language you would like to use when taking the Casper test, if applicable.
- Select the admission cycle for your program(s).
- Select the program type(s) you are applying to.
- Select the school(s) you are applying to (more can be added later).
- If prompted, type the application/student ID number(s) into the text field(s).
- Select your desired test date.
- Review your test reservation details.
- Input your payment information.
- Confirm and submit your test reservation payment.
If you don’t know which test to select, please browse the programs on the Dates and Fees page.
Please note that all fees are non-refundable.
Can I reschedule my test?
You can reschedule a test at any point prior to the viewing of actual test content free of charge, so long as test times and dates are available for the same admissions cycle. You are also able to reschedule a test if you missed your scheduled test time, again, as long as you have not seen any Casper test content.
To reschedule your test:
- Log in to your Acuity Insights Assessments account
- Click Reschedule under the Test Date on the Test Reservations page. [If you cannot see this option please zoom out on your screen by selecting the command/ctrl button and the – (minus) button]
- Under Available test date(s), select your preferred month, date and time
- Press Reschedule
If there are no other test dates available for this admissions cycle it means that the final testing opportunity has passed for one or more of the programs on your distribution list.
These programs will have to be removed by a support person in order for you to reschedule your test. You can contact our support team using the orange chat bubble located on your Acuity Insights Assessments account or the acuityinsights.app website.
You can browse the final test dates for individual programs on the Dates and Fees page.
How long is the Casper test?
The Casper test takes approximately 100-120 minutes, which includes the mandatory system requirements check, introduction, about 90 minutes of questions, an optional 5 minute break after the first five scenarios in the typed response section and another optional 10 minute break right before you begin the video response section.
Please aim to log in to your Acuity Insights account approximately thirty minutes before your scheduled test time and ensure your computer, webcam, microphone and internet connection are in working order for your test. We recommend you to perform a ‘System Requirements Check’, found on the Reservations and Casper homepage in your Acuity Insights account.
Where can I take the test?
Acuity Insights does not use testing centers to administer the Casper test.
You can take the online Casper test on a computer at a location of your choice. Since the test requires your full concentration, we strongly recommend that you take the test in a space that is free from distractions and noise. You may use headphones to help you concentrate and/or eliminate background noise.
For your test, you will need access to a computer, webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection with a bandwidth speed of at least 2 MB/s that passes the ‘System Requirements Check’ found on the Reservations and Casper homepage in your Acuity Insights account.
For your test, you will need access to a computer, webcam, and reliable internet connection that passes the ‘Casper System Requirements Check’ found on the Reservations page.
For tips on how to prepare for the Casper test, visit our test prep page.
Please remember that you must take your test alone.
Can you accommodate individual schedules?
We are unable to accommodate individual schedules. All test dates and distribution deadlines are pre-arranged with academic programs and tests are processed as a group to ensure timely delivery of scores. Each test instance uses unique content and a team is on hand to support test takers.
When traveling, please arrange to have access to a computer, webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection with a bandwidth speed of at least 2 MB/s that passes the ‘System Requirements Check’, found on the Reservations and Casper homepage in your Acuity Insights account.
If you are unable to take the test due to school/work, please speak with your supervisor/professor explaining the high stakes nature of the Casper test so that you can be available.
You can browse program test dates on the Dates and Fees page.
Is the Casper video response section optional?
The Casper test is divided into 2 response sections: the typed response section, which is the first portion of the test, followed by the video response section. Both sections of the test are mandatory for all applicants.
How can I prepare for the Casper video response section?
We recommend you to familiarize yourself with the test format and technical requirements and complete the Casper practice test so that you are comfortable, oriented and focused on test day. Visit the Test Prep page for more information on how to prepare for the Casper test.
Is there a dress code for Casper video response format?
We do train our raters to focus on the substance of your answers and not your clothing, but be mindful that certain clothing choices are distracting (e.g., pyjamas). While you don’t need to get too dressed up, it may help to think about how you’d like to be seen on camera by an interviewer. We recommend wearing smart casual attire like a dress shirt, sweater, or blouse, and pants to complete your Casper test. Remember that our raters are not evaluating your fashion choices, so keep it simple and comfortable.
Do spelling mistakes affect my score?
Casper raters are trained to disregard spelling mistakes when evaluating responses.
We strongly encourage you to focus on the content of your responses and to use all of the time provided to complete the questions in each answer section.
Keep in mind that raters will accept any typed answer, whether it be in point form/bullet points or complete sentences.
I belong to a visible minority group/speak English as a second language and am uncomfortable with the potential bias present in this method of assessment. Can you guarantee this bias will not affect my application?
We understand how counterintuitive this can feel, we felt this way too initially! Which is why we had run earlier experiments to validate that this does in fact tend to show a reduction in demographic differences. Please be informed that the video response results will only be shared once they’ve met the statistical thresholds required for their valid use, which includes continuing to see the reduction in demographic differences that we saw in early studies, so as to ensure that they are used responsibly and reliably by the programs.
How is the test evaluated?
Each section of the test is scored by a unique rater, making the Casper score a robust measure made up of many independent impressions of you.
Raters are assigned to a particular scenario from a Casper test and provided with relevant instructions and background knowledge about the topic at hand. Once prepared, raters are served responses from one scenario and multiple different applicants to rate. It’s important to note that no rater will ever score an applicant more than once.
As such, an applicant’s final score is always comprised of multiple unique rater impressions. This allows us to dilute any bias that one rater’s subjectivity may bring to the table. A rater does not know how well you’ve done on any other scenario of the test.
While raters are trained to disregard spelling mistakes, accents or grammar when evaluating responses, we suggest that you try to avoid using any slangs or phrases that may not be widely understood to ensure that you stand the best chance at representing your ideas to the raters.
Each rater completes a training session and accreditation before they are permitted to score Casper responses. The Acuity Insights team has numerous quality assurance measures in place to ensure that raters are carefully and fairly evaluating your responses.
Please note that Programs do not see responses from applicants.
How are Casper video responses scored?
Casper is scored by a diverse group of human raters reflecting the diversity of the population. Each scenario in the video response section is scored by a different rater. All raters are extensively trained, vetted and invested in the future of the profession. The Acuity Insights team has numerous quality assurance measures in place to ensure the integrity of scores assigned by our raters.
Are raters trained to score Casper responses?
Each rater completes training and accreditation before they are permitted to score Casper responses. The Acuity Insights team has numerous quality assurance measures in place to ensure that raters are carefully and fairly evaluating your responses.
Please refer to the FAQ How is the test evaluated? to learn more about the rating process.
Will programs view my video responses?
No, applicants’ responses are not shared with programs. Casper is scored by a diverse group of human raters.
How do programs use Casper scores?
It is up to the individual programs to determine how they will incorporate the Casper score into their application decisions, meaning every school may use the scores differently.
That means that the same Casper score may be competitive for one program but less competitive for another. The influence of the score also depends on the competitiveness of the applicant pool for each individual program.
Further information on the program-specific use of Casper scores may be available on the individual program websites.
Additionally, depersonalized (anonymized) data may be used for research purposes about a program(s) applicants, while strictly adhering to legal and ethical research standards.
Do I need to prepare or study for Casper?
You should prepare for the Casper test by familiarizing yourself with the test format and technical requirements. The general literature suggests that situational judgment tests (SJTs), like the Casper test, are relatively immune to coaching.
We strongly encourage you to focus on the content of your responses and to use all of the time provided to complete the questions in each answer section.
For more information on how you can prepare, visit the Test Prep page. To view our blog post about how to maximize your chances of success when taking Casper, click here.
**Note that any example questions or tests that may exist outside of the acuityinsights.app site are in no way associated with the official Casper test and are not recommended resources.
Is there a sample Casper test for practice?
A practice Casper test is available. To access this practice test, please log-in to your Acuity Insights account, go to Casper, and complete the System requirements check before proceeding to practise Casper to avoid any technical difficulties during the practice test.
Please visit the ‘Test Prep’ page to familiarize yourself with the standard Casper test format in order to reduce test-day anxiety and to ensure no technical issues prevent you from having a smooth test.
**Please note that any example questions or tests that may exist outside of the acuityinsights.app site are in no way associated with the official Casper test and are not recommended resources.
What is the format of the Casper test?
The test is divided into 2 response sections. The first is the typed response section. In this section, you will be presented with 3 word-based scenarios and 6 video-based scenarios which will appear in randomized order. When each scenario finishes, you’ll have 30 seconds of reflection time and you will be given 5 minutes to type your responses to 3 open-ended questions. Once the 5 minutes are up, you’ll be automatically advanced to the next scenario.
After the first 5 scenarios in the typed response section, there will be an optional 5-minute break.
At the end of the typed response section, there will be another optional 10 minute break. You can use this time to prepare for the second section of the test which is the video response section.
In the video response section, you will be presented with 2 word-based scenarios and 4 video-based scenarios which will appear in randomized order. When each scenario finishes, you’ll have 30 seconds of reflection time, 10 seconds to read the question and you will be given 1 minute to record your responses to each of the 3 open ended questions. Your recording will be uploaded once you submit your response or automatically, once the 1 minute timer runs out.
Please note: Your responses are automatically saved even if you don’t press the “Submit” button when the timer runs out and you’ll be moved to the next page automatically.
What are the system requirements?
Please complete the system requirements check found on your Casper page to ensure that everything is working properly. It is important to complete this check in the same environment, using the same computer, webcam, microphone and internet connection that you intend to use on test day.
Important: Check the time zone carefully to ensure you have the correct date and time for your test. Test times are in the North American Eastern time zone EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) or EST (Eastern Savings Time), unless indicated otherwise. To avoid time zone scheduling issues, check the countdown timer on your test page in your Acuity Insights account.
Casper Test Day Tips
What should I do on my test day?
It is mandatory to perform the System Requirements Check within 6 hours prior to starting your test to resolve any issues ahead of time.
On the day of your test, please take the ‘Casper System Requirements Check’ found on your Reservations page in the same test environment. This is to ensure that your webcam, browser and internet connection are adequate and working properly.
- Download an updated version of both Chrome and Firefox here. Please note that only these two web browsers are supported.
- Restart your computer
- Close all other applications (e.g., Skype)
- Use incognito/Private browser
- Disable any Firewall or pop-up blocker
- Disable all plug-ins and extensions (e.g., Grammarly)
- Deactivate your Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Chrome or Firefox
- Log-in to your Acuity Insights account approximately thirty-minutes before your scheduled test time.
Please note that webcams and microphones are a strict requirement for your Casper test as part of our identity assertion, proctoring methods and for answering the second section of your test where you would be required to record video responses. Your webcam must be turned on, uncovered, and facing towards you throughout the duration of your test. While your microphone should be close to your mouth, the device volume should be adjusted and you should speak loudly.
Please note that webcams are a strict requirement for your Casper test as part of our identity assertion methods. Your webcam must be active, uncovered, and facing towards you throughout the duration of your test.
How do I start my test?
Please log-in to your Acuity Insights account approximately thirty minutes before your scheduled test time.
Then, go to the testing page and wait for the countdown timer to expire. Once expired, click the ‘Start’ button that will appear. This will enable you to start your test.
Please note that you will only have 15 minutes to click the ‘Start’ button, after which you will have to reschedule to a future test date (if available).
What should I do on my test break?
You are entitled to two optional breaks. The first is for 5 minutes and it is given after the first 5 scenarios in the typed response section. The second break lasts for 10 minutes and is given after the typed response section and just before you begin the video response section.
During your break, you can take this time to stretch, relax and prepare for the second section of the test which is the video response section. Similar to the typed responses portion of the test, please ensure your internet, microphone and webcam are still working and reliable, and ensure you are in a room with no distractions.
After the break, your Casper test will automatically resume, so please ensure that you have returned to your computer before your break time has expired.
If you would like to proceed directly to the remainder of your test before the break has passed, you can click the ‘next’ button at any point.
Please ensure to familiarize yourself with the standard Casper test format in order to reduce test-day anxiety and to ensure no technical issues prevent you from having a smooth test. A Casper practice test is available. To access this practice test, please log-in to your Acuity Insights account, go to Casper, and complete the System Requirements Check before proceeding to Practice Casper to avoid any technical difficulties during the practice test.
What should I do if I have a technical issue during my test?
If you experience technical issues during the typed response section, simply refresh the browser page by clicking the refresh icon. DO NOT refresh the page for the video response section (second section of the test) while recording or uploading the video responses.
If you experience technical issues during a test, simply refresh the browser page by clicking the refresh icon. If refreshing your browser does not resolve the issue, we recommend switching to your back-up browser (Chrome or Firefox). You can download the latest versions here.
Please note that all other browsers (e.g., Safari, Explorer, Edge, etc.), as well as Smartphones and Tablets, do not support the Casper test.
If the issue persists please reach out to the Acuity Insights Support Team via the live chat (the orange button at the bottom right of your test screen). We suggest reaching out to the support team during a video/word-based scenario of your test, rather than during an answer section.
Avoid refreshing the page during an answer section to avoid disconnection. Responses are automatically saved every second as long as your internet connection is stable. DO NOT refresh the page for the video response section (second section of the test) while recording or uploading the video responses.
While we aim to maximize your chance of finishing your test when scheduled, some things are outside of our control. Computer malfunctions, slow/intermittent internet connections, and undetected viruses/malware on your computer/browser may affect your test experience. In all cases, our applicant support team will do their best to help you.
How do I report a technical issue during my test?
If you experience any technical issues during your test, please contact us via the chat (the orange button at the bottom right of your test screen) and we will help you as best as possible.
If you are unable to contact us during the time of your test, please make sure to reach out to support@acuityinsights.app within 24 hours of your scheduled test date (we do not have a phone number where you can reach us).
Can I take notes during the scenarios/reflection period?
Applicants are allowed to take notes during the scenarios and reflection period as we understand that they may want to remember the names of the actors and point out specific details from the situations while responding to the questions.
Can I review my video prior to submitting my responses?
You will not be able to review your video before submitting it. Your recording will be uploaded once you submit your response or automatically after the 1 minute timer runs out.
What should I do when I am not able to upload/submit my video response?
Visit the General Tech Tips for more information on the basic requirements that can help you have a smooth testing experience on your test date.
Please note that you can access more troubleshooting tips related to the technical issues you may face during the test in your Acuity Insights account. You can access this by clicking on the Technical Troubleshooting tips link in the Knowledge Base section of your Acuity Insights account’s homepage.
What if I am unhappy with my video response?
Once you complete recording your video response, you cannot retake it unless you experience any technical problems and your responses were not saved correctly. We highly encourage you to complete the System Requirements Check and take the practice test, all available in your Acuity Insights account in advance of your test to prepare and become familiar with the test format so that you can enter into the test on your test day with confidence.
What should I do if I experience unanticipated interruptions during my test (e.g. fire alarm, a person, etc.)?
For non-technical issues with recording your video responses, please contact the Acuity Insights Support Team through the orange chat bubble on the bottom right-hand corner of your Acuity Insights account, or email support@acuityinsights.app. We’re here to help!
After the Casper Test – Scores and Distribution
How reliable are Casper scores?
Casper scores are highly reliable, meaning that applicants would likely receive a similar score if they took a different Casper test made up of different scenarios, or had their test evaluated by a different group of raters. The average internal consistency in the 2020-21 test cycle was 0.88, and the average overall inter-rater reliability was 0.86, with 1.00 indicating perfect reliability.
How/when is my score distributed to programs?
All typed Casper test scores are processed and distributed to academic programs as a group. Your Casper score will be made available to the programs on your distribution list approximately 2-3 weeks after taking your test.
Only programs who are selected to participate in our early adopter program will receive a score from the video response section in addition to their traditional Casper scores, once they’ve met the statistical thresholds required for their valid use and to ensure that they are used responsibly and reliably by the programs. These results will be used as another data point in addition to that program’s existing data points in much later stages of a program’s process. So, that means not while they’re looking at a large pool of applicants, but when they’re deciding between a smaller sample, either before interview or before providing an offer. At the end of the admissions cycle, all programs will be given an aggregate result from the video response section, for review.
You will not receive an email stating that your score has been delivered. However, in the Reservations section of your Acuity Insights account, you will see “Completed – Results delivered” to indicate that the score has been delivered. If you see “Completed – Results pending,” your Casper score has not yet been distributed.
It may take some extra time for individual programs to update the status of your Casper score in their system. Please allow programs ample time to update their system.
Can I add programs to my distribution list?
You can add programs to your distribution list even after taking your test, as long as they are still accepting scores.
- On the Reservations page of your Acuity Insights account, under Test Information, click on View/Add beside Distribution(s)
- Select ‘Add a New Distribution’ [If you cannot see this option please zoom out on your screen by selecting the command/ctrl button and the – (minus) button]
- Select the program(s) and school(s) you wish to send your score to
- Provide additional ID requirements, if applicable
- Review and submit your payment
If you are not able to select ‘Add a New Distribution,’ the distribution deadline for one or more of the programs selected may have passed. You can browse all of the program distribution deadlines and program requirements for Acuity Insights on the ‘Dates and Fees’ page.
Can I remove or swap programs from my distribution list?
You can request that we remove a program from your distribution list, as long as you have not yet completed your Casper test. Once you have taken your test, you cannot cancel or withdraw the distribution of your Acuity Insights results.
All fees are non-refundable. Although we cannot offer refunds for a program that is removed from your distribution list, we can swap the program for a different one (in the same test type) at no additional cost prior to your Casper test date.
Swaps must be requested and performed at the same time as removals. Removed programs do not produce credits for swaps at a later date.
To request for a program to be removed and/or swapped from your distribution list, please email the Acuity Insights Team at support@acuityinsights.app or send us a message through the orange chat bubble on our website. Your request should include:
- What program(s) you would like to remove
- If necessary, identify the school(s) and program(s) (eg. University of Colorado Denver, Physician Assistant) you would like to replace the removed program(s) with.
Please note: You must have at least one program on your distribution list at all times.
Why will some programs be receiving my video response result and not others?
We will be sharing Casper video response section results to early adopters, who are a curated handful of programs that will be selected by Acuity Insights. While not every program may be using the results from the video response section, we will be sharing an aggregate result to all programs at the end of the cycle for review. Applicants’ responses are imperative to ensuring we’re addressing concerns around this being a speed test and making Casper more fair and equitable for all applicants.
Please be informed that the video response results will only be shared once they’ve met the statistical thresholds required for their valid use and to ensure that they are used responsibly and reliably by the programs.
What is an early adopter program?
Early adopters are a curated handful of programs that will be selected by Acuity Insights to receive results from the video response section, once the reliability thresholds they have set have been met. They will have passed a thorough qualification process with Acuity Insights to ensure that we are evolving our assessment in a responsible way in partnership with applicants and programs. These results will be used as another data point in addition to that program’s existing data points in much later stages of a program’s process. That means the data will not be used when looking at a large pool of applicants. Instead, they’ll use it when they’re reviewing a smaller sample, either before interviews or before providing offers. Acuity Insights is implementing this rigorous selection process for the Early Adopter programs to ensure that they enter this next critical phase in evolving Casper in the most responsible way, with care and consideration for applicants and programs alike. Please be informed that at this time, the list of early adopter programs will not be shared with applicants in order not to impact the reliability of our data for critical analyses.
How long are scores valid for?
Casper scores are only valid for a single admissions cycle and for the test type (e.g., American Professional Health Sciences, etc.) for which you have taken the test.
You will need to take a separate Casper test for future admissions cycles or different test categories, including for programs offered in different countries or in different languages.
One reason why scores are valid for only one admissions cycle is because the tests evolve each year and answers must be assessed against the new pool of candidates. A Casper score for one type of program or admissions cycle cannot be used for other types of programs or future admissions cycles.
Do I get my Casper score?
While you won’t receive your typed Casper test score, you will receive a quartile, indicating how you performed relative to your peers on the typed section for Casper. Quartiles are values that divide a set of scores into four equal parts, meaning that a quarter of scores are placed in each quartile. Specifically:
- 25% of applicants score in the first quartile (0-24 percentile)
- 25% of applicants score in the second quartile (25-49 percentile)
- 25% of applicants score in the third quartile (50-74 percentile)
- 25% of applicants score in the fourth quartile (75-100 percentile)
Quartiles tell you how you scored relative to your peers. For example, applicants who scored in the fourth quartile scored higher than applicants in the first, second and third quartiles, meaning they scored higher than at least 75% of all applicants. Applicants who scored in the second quartile scored higher than applicants in the first quartile, but lower than applicants in the third and fourth quartile. Specifically, this means that they scored higher than at least 25% of all applicants, but lower than at least 50% of all applicants.
Remember that quartiles represent what percentage of other applicants you scored higher than, not what percentage of questions you got right or wrong – as there are no right or wrong answers on Casper.
Please note that you will not receive feedback or results at this point in time for the video response section of the Casper test.
Why do I receive a quartile and not a Casper score?
We do not share Casper scores directly with applicants for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Ensuring a level playing field for all applicants
- Maintaining test integrity in order to get a genuine assessment of all applicants by minimizing chances of “faking good”
- Respecting all our partner programs’ unique admissions process strategies
Acuity Insights shares quartiles as a way of balancing the needs of the applicants with the needs of the program. This will help applicants understand where they place in terms of their performance on Casper, relative to other applicants. Regardless of what quartile an applicant’s Casper score places in, it should not dissuade them from applying to a program. Many programs consider all quartiles and use Casper as an additional piece of information among many metrics to make admissions decisions.
Quartile scores will be sent to applicants who complete Casper for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle and beyond. Applicants will not be able to receive their Casper quartile score for tests completed in previous admissions cycles.
What does it mean to place in a specific quartile? Why did I score in a particular quartile?
A Casper response is scored relative to other responses to the same scenario, meaning your score is the strength of your response relative to other responses to the same scenario. Placing in the first quartile means that other applicants had a stronger performance. It does not mean you failed, it just means that compared to other applicants, your responses were not as strong. The Casper test pool is full of high-calibre applicants.
Applicants who placed in higher quartiles may have done so for a number of reasons, based on the competencies Casper is designed to measure. These might include:
- Effort: they may have tried harder to respond to questions (for instance, they may have explained their position fully, or used the full amount of time before moving on to the next question, compared to applicants who place in the first quartile)
- Empathy: they considered all perspectives in a meaningful way
- Equity: they show the same high degree of respect for the experiences and needs of others
- Communication: they demonstrated above-average ability to effectively articulate their ideas
- Familiarity with the medium: they familiarized themselves with the format of the test (video, typed response, etc.) and were able to successfully navigate these aspects of the test.
Whichever quartile your Casper score is placed, it should not dissuade you from applying to any program. Many programs consider all quartiles and use Casper as an additional piece of information among many metrics to make admissions decisions.
How does sharing quartiles with applicants affect the application process?
Sharing Casper quartiles with applicants will not affect or change the application
processes put in place by programs. Each program that uses Casper for admissions, will
review Casper scores and incorporate them into their admissions process as they
always have.
Will I receive feedback or results for Casper video responses?
Applicants will not receive feedback or results at this point in time for the video response section of the Casper test.
The quartiles that you will receive approximately one month after you write your test reflects how you scored relative to your peers in the typed response section of the Casper test.
How do I find out if my Casper video response result has been released or not?
Your results will be shared with participating early adopter programs only when required statistical thresholds have been met. At this time, you will not be notified whether it has been released or not, as we will not be disclosing the participating programs in order not to impact the reliability of our data for critical analyses.
If I run into any issues during the video response portion of my Casper test, will my typed Casper score still be given to programs?
Your score for typed Casper will be processed and distributed to academic programs based on your distribution list as a group, approximately 2-3 weeks after taking your test.
We understand that there are a lot of steps to the application process, and because of that we want to make sure that the assessments that you take from us provide you with the value of having the best opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your book smarts, and we want to make this better and better for applicants every year. We know that we cannot do this without you. If there are circumstances that we can support you and prepare you for the video response section, we would love to work with you to best support you.
Can I retake the Casper test?
Applicants are not permitted to take a Casper test for the same test type (e.g., Canadian Professional Health Sciences, US Medicine, Australian Postgraduate Education, etc.) more than once per admissions cycle.
Some programs use the same Casper test score multiple times throughout a single admissions cycle. For example, if an applicant took the Canadian Post Graduate Medical Education test for the CaRMS Round 1 match, the same Casper score will be considered for the Round 2 match. This also applies to programs using Casper for their initial application decisions as well as instead of a Multi Mini Interview (MMI) or in-person interview. In these cases, applicants do not need to take two Casper tests for the same test type; the results from their initial Casper test will be applicable for all admissions considerations for the duration of that admissions cycle, so long as the programs are added to their score distribution list.
Please note that Casper results are only valid for a single admissions cycle, and only for the test type and test language for which you have taken the test. You will need to take a separate Casper test for future admissions cycles or programs requiring different test types, including for programs offered in different countries or languages.
Note: Requests to retake Casper will be considered only in the event of a severe technical issue, at the discretion of Acuity Insights. In the event of a severe disruption to your test, you must report it to Acuity Insights within 7 days of your Casper test date via the orange chat bubble at bottom right or support@acuityinsights.app.
How can I improve, should I need to take Casper again?
There are ways that you can help yourself be better prepared for the test, or to truly develop the skills Casper assesses for, which may help you improve for the next application cycle on the test and in many aspects of your professional career and life.
Tips:
- Familiarity with test format: Research has shown that applicants who review the applicant resources on the Acuity Insights website, go through the system requirements check, and take the 15-section sample test in their Acuity Insights account, on average score slightly higher than applicants who do not. This is because these applicants are familiar with the test platform and know what to expect on test day, so they’re prepared to perform to the best of their ability. While Casper isn’t a speed test, being confident that you can get your ideas across within the 5-minute time limit may help reduce test anxiety – so we encourage you to take the sample test as many times as you need to feel comfortable. You can also apply for accommodations if required.
- Skill development:While Casper scores tend to be fairly stable over time, this doesn’t mean that people can’t change. What it does mean is that surface-level coaching strategies (i.e., learning how to game the test, be “test-wise” or “fake good”) will not improve your Casper score. The 5-minute time limit for responses to a scenario was partly designed to elicit authentic responses, so in order to truly improve, you will need to be dedicated to doing the personal work involved so that responding with empathy and self-awareness becomes natural. We encourage you to focus on self-reflection and skill development, not on test-taking tricks and strategies.
Can I have my test re-scored?
Casper tests cannot be re-scored. Each of the 15 scenarios of your test is rated by a different rater, so no rater sees more than one set of your responses. This approach helps ensure that each applicant’s test is evaluated using a balance of different perspectives, to ensure that each scenario is considered equally when determining your overall score (as opposed to any one rater’s first impression influencing your score on the other 14 scenarios), and to eliminate the effects of bias.
Can I receive my quartile score for past completed Casper tests for previous admission cycles?
No, applicants who have completed Casper in admissions cycles prior to 2021-2022 will not receive their quartile score.
Starting in the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, applicants who have completed their Casper test will receive their Casper quartile score approximately 1 month following their test date.
My Casper quartile score for one of my Casper tests is different from another, what does this mean?
Because Casper has relatively high test-retest reliability, applicants can expect to score similarly if they are required to take more than one Casper test (e.g., to apply to programs requiring different test types, or to apply to programs in subsequent years). However, in some cases applicants will score in a different quartile from one test to the next. Here are a few possible reasons why this might happen:
- Your scores on the two tests were close to the edge of a quartile range (e.g., 74th and 76th percentiles) meaning a small change in score led to being placed in an entirely different quartile.
- The caliber of the applicants in the two tests was different, and since Casper is rated and z-scored relative to the strength of your peers’ responses, your demonstrated abilities were more competitive in one test than another.
- You were able to improve your skills between the first and second test, or better demonstrate your skills by being more familiar with the Casper test format (e.g., by taking the practice test in your Acuity Insights Account or having been exposed to a real Casper test once before), leading to an improvement in test performance.
What is the rating process? How can I trust my score?
Your Casper test is evaluated by our team of Casper raters, who are a group of independent contractors employed by Acuity Insights. The rater pool is designed to be representative of the population of the country where your program resides – this includes individuals from a wide range of professions, including but not limited to the profession to which you’re applying (e.g., healthcare, business education, teacher education).
Each of the 15 scenarios of your test is rated by a different rater, so no rater will see more than one set of your responses. This is to help ensure that each applicant’s test is evaluated using a balance of different perspectives, to ensure that each scenario is considered equally when determining your overall score (as opposed to any one rater’s first impression influencing your score on the other 14 scenarios), and to eliminate the effects of bias. Each rater only sees your typed and video responses to the Casper test – any other information (such as your name, your survey responses, or the programs you’re applying to) have been removed – meaning that they cannot consider any of this information when assigning a score.
Casper has been shown to have high overall inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.86 across the 2020-21 test cycle), meaning that you would likely receive the same score, or a very similar score, if your Casper test was rated by a different group of 15 raters.
Where can I find research materials on Casper?
Casper was initially developed by Dr. Kelly Dore and Dr. Harold Reiter at McMaster University to provide academic programs with a reliable and valid (see Kane, 2013 for a validity framework) measure of social intelligence and professionalism. Casper complements the technical skills that are typically assessed during the application process (i.e., GPA and MCAT) and serves to provide programs with a better, holistic, understanding of each applicant from the start.
We recently made available our technical manual, which provides the definition of social intelligence and professionalism, and is a great resource on the format, development, and rating of Casper. The manual also goes over the strong evidence for Casper’s reliability as a measure of social intelligence and professionalism, and the research we and others have conducted assessing Casper’s predictive validity and relationship with admissions and in-program performance.
Much of the peer-reviewed evidence can also be found on our blog page. Our Research Team is regularly updating this page with publications, presentations and evidence related to Casper reliability and validity.
Understanding and preparing for Snapshot
Is participation in Snapshot required or optional?
It depends on the type of program(s) you’re applying to. Paramedics, applicants to programs in the UK, and applicants to Canadian post-graduate medical programs are only taking Casper at this time. Acuity Insights (Casper, Snapshot, and Duet), is only applicable to US undergraduate and graduate medical programs, while Casper and Snapshot may be applicable to all other programs. To know the specifics about your Acuity Insights requirements, please check our Dates and Fees page and your individual program website(s) for information on whether Snapshot is an admissions requirement or not.
Is there a separate fee to complete Snapshot?
No. The fee you pay when you reserve your Casper test covers all applicable parts of
Acuity Insights.
When do I need to complete Snapshot?
You can complete Snapshot anytime after logging in to your Acuity Insights account to reserve your Casper test date. We recommend completing it within 14 days after taking Casper, but your final deadline is the same as the distribution deadline for your program(s).
Do I need to complete more than one Snapshot interview?
Although in some cases, you may need to complete more than one Casper test (i.e., US Professional Health Sciences and US Medicine Casper tests) for the different programs you’re applying to, you’ll usually only need to complete one Snapshot, which will be sent to all the programs on your distribution list. The most common situation in which you’ll need to complete more than one Snapshot is if you’re applying to both English and French programs. In this case you’ll need to take Snapshot for each language. To verify whether you need to complete more than one Snapshot, please refer to the Snapshot section of your Acuity Insights account after reserving your Casper tests.
Will I still have the opportunity to complete a two-way interview with the programs I am applying to?
It depends. Some programs are using Snapshot to add information to their existing interview process and/or their application review, and others are using Snapshot to introduce an interview component to their process. The way in which a program decides to use Snapshot responses is at their discretion.
What kind of questions will I be asked?
With Snapshot, we hope to help each applicant demonstrate their communication skills and motivation to programs. You can expect questions that you may be asked in any standard admissions interview. These would be questions around the topic of your character and future profession.
Sample questions:
- Tell us about someone you admire and why.
- What is your favorite book?
- What is an obstacle you have faced, and how did you get through it?
- What aspect of your future profession are you most excited about?
Can you take breaks during Snapshot?
Snapshot should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, depending on how much time you spend taking the two practice questions. Overall, there are 3 questions with 2 minutes allotted to read and respond to each question. Although we do not foresee the need to take a break, you can pause between questions for a break if needed. Note: while reading and responding to a question, you will not be able to pause.
Can I watch my response after I’ve recorded it?
No. Once you complete the Snapshot response recording for a question, it is saved automatically and you are moved on to the next question. You will not be able to view any of your video-recorded responses. This is a one-shot opportunity, like in a real interview setting. So ensure you use the practice questions to prepare yourself and get comfortable with the format before starting.
Snapshot responses will only be accessible by programs for review during the admission process.
What if I experience technology issues?
Our applicant support team will be available to help you through the process of completing Snapshot should you experience any technical issues. If for some reason your responses were corrupted, after our team has reviewed your video responses, we will happily reset your Snapshot so you can try again once any issues have been solved.
Our team is here to help you! If you reach out to them with a technical issue or concern with Snapshot, they will reply back to you as soon as possible, normally within 24 hours.
Here are some quick troubleshooting tips for if you run into any technical troubles during Snapshot:
- Restart your computer
- Ensure you are taking Snapshot with a strong internet connection
- Ensure you are taking Snapshot on an updated version of Chrome or Firefox
- Switch from Chrome to Firefox (or vice versa)
- Double check your browser permissions to ensure you have allowed access to your microphone and webcam
What if I am unhappy with my Snapshot responses?
Once you complete your Snapshot you cannot retake it unless you experienced technical problems while completing Snapshot and your responses were not saved correctly. We encourage you to complete the Systems Requirements Check and use the practice questions to prepare and become familiar with the format of Snapshot so you can enter into the formal Snapshot with confidence.
Understanding and preparing for Duet
Who needs to complete Duet?
Duet is only applicable to US undergraduate and graduate medical programs. To know the specifics about your Acuity Insights requirements, please check our Dates and Fees page and your individual program website(s) for information on whether Duet is an admissions requirement or not.
Why do programs require Duet?
US medical schools and graduate medical programs are looking to make sure that students are not only academically capable but also possess suitable personal and professional qualities that make them more likely to succeed in the profession. Part of that includes suitability for the learning and working environment, which Duet helps to measure in a standardized way.
How do programs use Duet?
Duet is used to find alignment between what the applicant values in a program and what the program has to offer. Duet can be used by programs at multiple stages in the process, including refining the candidate pool for interviews or during the process of ranking or deciding offers.
When do I need to complete Duet?
You can complete Duet anytime after logging in to your Acuity Insights account to reserve your Casper test date. We recommend completing it within 14 days after taking Casper, but your final deadline is the same as the distribution deadline for your program(s).
Is there a separate fee to complete Duet?
No. The fee you pay when you reserve your Casper test covers all applicable parts of
Acuity Insights Assessments.
Do I need to prepare for Duet?
There is no practice component for Duet as it is a measure of your own personal values and preferences. Just make sure to read the instructions carefully, as well as the characteristics and their definitions before proceeding to the comparison pages. Once there, go with your gut: there’s no right or wrong answer.
Accommodations
How can I request Acuity Insights accommodations?
Acuity Insights accommodation requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure equal opportunity for all.
Applicants must submit an accommodations request form, both Parts 1 and 2, as well as any supporting documents at least 3 weeks prior to their scheduled Casper test to allow sufficient time for document review and a decision to be made on the appropriate testing accommodations.
We ask that you send all documentation via email to support@acuity. Alternatively, you can contact us to request a link where you can upload your documents to a secure encrypted folder. After submitting your accommodations request, the Acuity Insights Team will message you to confirm receipt of your request within 1 business day.
For a more detailed outline of the accommodation process, please review the Acuity Insights Accommodations Policy.
Who can complete Part 2 of the accommodations request form?
Part 2 of the accommodations request form provides the opportunity for a suitably qualified professional to provide a recommendation on the measures of accommodation most appropriate for the applicant. The qualified professional must be licensed in the area of disability or impairment for which an applicant is seeking accommodations.
The professional should have comprehensive training and experience in the assessment and diagnosis of the disability or impairment in question in order to be able to provide insight as to what the appropriate and necessary testing accommodations are for the components of Acuity Insights. Additionally, the professional cannot be a relative, employee, or employer of the applicant.
What specific accommodation measures are available for Acuity Insights?
The types of accommodations that we offer include, but are not limited to:
- Additional time
- Assistive software (e.g., speech-to-text and/or text-to-speech)
- Assistive personnel (e.g., scribe and/or reader)
If you believe you are in need of an accommodation measure not listed above, this must be specified by the qualified professional completing Part 2 of the accommodations request form. The rationale for each recommended accommodation measure must be included.
Keep in mind that you will only be required to submit one accommodations request, and that the outcome will apply to all Acuity Insights Assessments (e.g., Casper, Snapshot, etc.).
Is closed captioning available?
Yes, all applicants have access to closed captioning for the videos within the Casper test and the Practice Tests available in their Acuity Insights account. No accommodation request is necessary.
I'm physically unable to take the Casper video response section, what should I do?
So that we can see how best we can support you, we recommend that you contact our Acuity Insights Support Team through the orange chat bubble on the bottom right-hand corner of your Acuity Insights account, or via email at support@acuityinsights.app.
When should I submit my request for accommodations?
You should submit your accommodations request after you have reserved your Acuity Insights.
The accommodations request form (Parts 1 and 2) and supporting documents must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the time of your scheduled Casper test.
Exceptions to the 3 week submission timeline and document requirements may be made in extreme circumstances (eg. The second iteration of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) Casper Test in early March, medical emergencies, or for cases relating to COVID-19).
How long will it take to review my request?
Once the Acuity Insights Support Team receives your accommodations request, they will contact you to confirm receipt of your request within 1 business day.
The review of accommodation requests can take up to 7 business days. You will receive an email to inform you of the outcome of your request from support@acuityinsights.app.
Will I be able to see my approved accommodations in my Acuity Insights account?
If your accommodation request has been approved, the Acuity Insights Support Team will apply the approved accommodation measures to your upcoming Casper test. You can confirm they have been applied by referring to the Casper preparation checklist available in the Casper section of your Acuity Insights account.
Additionally, during the intro sections of your assessments, there may be references to the standard time allotment, but the relevant sections of Casper and Snapshot will correctly reflect your approved amount of additional time (if applicable).
How are my approved accommodations applied to my Casper test?
If approved for accommodation measures, applicants will be provided with a summary of how their approved accommodations will be applied to each component of Acuity Insights Assessments. To access this information, please refer to the accommodations approval letter sent by the Acuity Insights Support Team.
Can I appeal the outcome of my accommodations request?
After receiving the initial decision that their request for accommodations has been denied, applicants will have 7 business days to launch an appeal.
All appeals are handled by the panel. The panel may ask for additional information or documentation from the applicant and it may take up to 10 business days to formulate a decision. All decisions from the panel are final. You can find more information about this in the Acuity Insights Accommodations Policy.
How long are my Acuity Insights accommodations valid?
Beginning with the 2021-2022 admission cycle, approved accommodation requests are valid for the duration of two admission cycles (see example below).
Any applicant that received accommodations prior to the 2021-2022 cycle will need to provide an updated request form.
For example: If you are approved for accommodations during the 2021-2022 admission cycle, these accommodations are valid from the time of approval until the end of the 2022-2023 admission cycle (exceptions apply, please review the Acuity Insights Accommodations Policy for details).
Approved accommodations are applied by the Acuity Insights Support Team to each individual Acuity Insights reservation. If you are required to reserve and complete more than one Acuity Insights during your valid approved accommodations period, you are required to contact the Acuity Insights Support Team (support@acuityinsights.app) to inform us of a new reservation a minimum of 2 weeks prior to this new Casper test reservation date and time.
Are Acuity Insights accommodations confidential?
Yes, all accommodation requests are confidential. The status of an accommodation request is not shared with academic programs or with Casper raters.
What if I need to reschedule my Acuity Insights Assessments after being approved for accommodations?
If you need to reschedule your Acuity Insights Assessments, and there are additional Casper test dates available for the program(s) on your distribution list, you must contact the Acuity Insights Support Team (support@acuityinsights.app) to indicate your intent to reschedule.
You are required to contact the Acuity Insights Support Team at least 1 week prior to the new test date and time at which you would like to complete the test.
The rescheduling must be completed by a member of the Acuity Insights Support Team as applicants are not able to reschedule their own test from within their Acuity Insights account if accommodation measures have been applied.
How can I prepare for Acuity Insights Assessments with my accommodations?
If you are approved for time-based accommodations for Acuity Insights, you will be provided with a link in your accommodations approval letter to a Practice Test that contains the same time allotment as your approved accommodation.
Please note that we also suggest that you complete the appropriate Practice Test available in the Casper section of your Acuity Insights account, as this Practice Test will have the same visual format as the actual Casper test. However, please remember that you will only be given the standard time allotment on this Practice Test.
For Snapshot, you will have access to two practice questions within the Snapshot section of your Acuity Insights account. Keep in mind that you will only receive the standard time allotment for the Practice Snapshot. This is an opportunity for you to get familiar with the format, as well as for you to test your video and audio quality.