CASPer preparation doesn't need to take months. Unlike standardised tests that require extensive content knowledge, CASPer is a situational judgement test — it assesses how you think, not what you know. That means the skills CASPer tests can be developed relatively quickly with the right kind of CASPer practice.

Here's how to use two weeks effectively.

Before you start: understand what CASPer is actually testing

The biggest mistake in CASPer preparation is practising the wrong things. CASPer is not a test of medical ethics knowledge, vocabulary, or typing speed. CASPer is a test of situational judgement — specifically, your ability to engage with complex scenarios, consider multiple perspectives, and explain your reasoning clearly.

Every CASPer scenario you'll face on the day involves real human complexity: competing needs, difficult decisions, and situations where there's no perfect answer. CASPer evaluators are looking for responses that take that complexity seriously.

Keep this in mind as your anchor throughout your CASPer preparation. Every practice session should be developing these skills — not memorising frameworks or rehearsing stock answers.

"Effective CASPer preparation isn't about practising more — it's about practising the right things."

Week 1: Build your CASPer foundations

Days 1–2

Understand the CASPer format

  • Learn the structure of the CASPer test — how many scenarios, how much time per question, typed vs video sections
  • Understand the three CASPer question types: situational ("what would you do?"), judgment ("what are the pros and cons?"), and reflective ("tell me about a time...")
  • Read about how CASPer is scored and what evaluators are looking for in CASPer responses
Days 3–4

Start untimed CASPer practice

  • Begin with untimed CASPer practice to get comfortable with the format without pressure
  • After each CASPer response, review it: Did you engage with the specific scenario? Did you consider all the people involved? Did you explain your reasoning?
  • Focus on writing clear, specific responses — not generic statements about values
Days 5–7

Introduce timed CASPer practice

  • Switch to timed CASPer practice — this is where most students discover where their real weaknesses are
  • Practice with the actual CASPer time limits so you experience what the test feels like under real conditions
  • Note where you run out of time or feel rushed — this tells you where your CASPer preparation needs to focus in week 2

Week 2: Sharpen your CASPer performance

Days 8–10

Target your CASPer weaknesses

  • Based on week 1, identify which CASPer question types you find most difficult and practise those specifically
  • If you're struggling with reflective CASPer questions, spend time building a bank of personal experiences you can draw on
  • If situational CASPer questions feel rushed, practise structuring your thinking faster — validate the situation, describe your action, explain your reasoning
  • Get feedback on your CASPer responses if you can — external feedback on CASPer practice is far more valuable than self-assessment alone
Days 11–13

Full CASPer practice runs

  • Do at least two full-length CASPer practice sessions under exam conditions — proper timing, no interruptions, treating it like the real CASPer test
  • If CASPer includes a video section, practise spoken responses on camera so the format doesn't feel unfamiliar on test day
  • Review your CASPer practice responses critically after each session
Day 14

The day before your CASPer test

  • No intense CASPer practice — rest is more valuable than cramming
  • Do a light review of your approach: engage with the scenario, consider all perspectives, explain your reasoning
  • Make sure your tech is set up — check your camera, microphone, and internet connection if doing the CASPer test from home
  • Get a good night's sleep. Being well-rested genuinely affects CASPer performance

What to avoid in your CASPer preparation

Some common CASPer preparation approaches don't actually improve your CASPer score — and can waste valuable time in the two weeks before your test:

  • Memorising CASPer scenario answers. CASPer scenarios are unpredictable by design. Rehearsed answers rarely fit the actual CASPer question and often sound formulaic to evaluators.
  • Reading about medical ethics without practising. Background knowledge is helpful context, but it doesn't develop the CASPer skills that get you a higher quartile.
  • Practising without timing yourself. Untimed CASPer practice feels very different from the real CASPer test. If you haven't practised under time pressure, the actual CASPer format will feel unfamiliar and stressful on the day.
  • Preparing alone without feedback. It's very difficult to objectively assess your own CASPer responses. Getting external feedback — even on a few CASPer practice sessions — can reveal patterns you wouldn't spot yourself.

A note on CASPer video practice

Some versions of CASPer now include video response sections alongside typed responses. If your CASPer test includes video, make sure your CASPer preparation includes spoken practice as well as typed. The core skills are the same — engage with the scenario, consider perspectives, explain reasoning — but speaking under time pressure feels very different from typing, and it's worth practising specifically.