Announcing Casper changes for the 2023/24 cycle

We are pleased to announce some new and exciting improvements to our Casper assessment. These changes will be implemented for the 2023/24 admissions cycle. 

Acuity Insights, the company that brings you Casper, are continuously researching and investigating ways to improve our assessments and make admissions more fair and equitable for applicants. 

What are the changes being made to Casper for 2023/24?

The Casper score will include typed and video response sections

During the 2022-2023 cycle, we introduced a video response format within the Casper assessment. Results from several analyses across two years demonstrate that adding a video response section further reduced or maintained demographic differences, while maintaining excellent test reliability. In addition, surveys submitted by previous applicants indicated that the majority welcomed the addition of the video response format as a way to authentically express answers to the scenarios presented.

Given our positive findings we’ve decided that Casper will continue to include a video response section for all applicants. Each applicant’s Casper score that is provided to programs will be an aggregate score from both the typed and video response sections of the Casper test.

Casper test format changes

We have also made some changes to the structure of the Casper test to improve the test and applicant experience. These changes are:

• There will be 6 scenarios and 2 questions for every scenario in the video response section: Applicants will now only be required to answer 2 questions (instead of 3 questions presented in the last cycle) for each of the 6 scenarios in the video response section. The test score’s reliability will be maintained, while the total test time for applicants will be reduced from 100-120 minutes to 90-110 minutes.
• Flipping video response and typed response section order: The video response section will now appear as the first section of the test, followed by the typed response section. Presenting the video response section first will ensure that if an applicant is experiencing any technical problems with uploading or recording, it will be identified before they spend a substantial amount of time completing the typed section. 
• The typed section of Casper will include 8 scenarios instead of the 9 scenarios in previous cycles: We have re-evaluated our test construction to make the overall test shorter, while still maintaining reliability, even in the event of technical or other issues.

Rescheduling the Casper test

Beginning in the 2023-24 cycle, all applicants will now be able to reschedule their Casper test for free if they do so 31 or more days before their scheduled test. Applicants who wish to reschedule within 30 days of an already scheduled Casper test may do so for a $20 rescheduling fee.

We will continue to offer rescheduling for free for those with verified technical or medical issues and those with approved fee assistance (FAP). 

Fee Assistance Program Eligibility 

It’s incredibly important to Acuity Insights, and in alignment with our mission, to continue providing support to those who require financial assistance. We will continue to waive fees for FAP eligible* applicants this cycle. This includes the base fee and any program distributions. *For applicants who demonstrate their eligibility through AAMC, AACOMAS, CASPA, NursingCAS, Texas JAMP, Texas Early Assurance. 

Want to hear more about our upcoming changes?

Please join us at one of our upcoming webinars for applicants. We will discuss the upcoming cycle changes, how to prepare for Casper, and provide other important resources and information.

Register by clicking on the relevant webinar below:

• Register Now: Tuesday, February 28 at 12:00 PM ET (English-language webinar)
• Register Now: Thursday, August 17 at 12:00 PM ET (French-language webinar)