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Here are the changes and how they benefit you and your applicants
If you’re familiar with the Casper situational judgment test, you may know that it typically presents test takers with 12 scenarios or dilemmas (eight video-based and four written), and asks those test takers to type their responses to three questions per scenario within five minutes. This year, however, the format of the test is changing after an experiment revealed that offering a video-response format can further reduce demographic differences in test performance and support a more equitable assessment and experience for applicants.
What is changing in Casper?
- There will be two response sections – typed and video.
- All scenarios requiring typed responses will appear in the first section, while the scenarios requiring video-recorded responses will follow afterwards.
- The total number of scenarios on the Casper test has increased from 12 to 15, and the test will take about 100-120 minutes to complete.
- Scenarios will still be presented in both video and word-based format, but the additional scenarios on the new test means that 10 scenarios will be video-based, while the remaining five will be word-based.
- Nine of the 15 scenarios will require applicants to respond in typed format. Of these nine scenarios, three will be word-based and six will be video-based.
- The remaining six scenarios will require applicants to record their responses on video. Of these scenarios, two will be word-based and four will be video-based.
- All test takers will still be required to complete a system requirements check before their scheduled Casper test. Given the new response format, the system requirements check will be amended to ensure applicants and the device they’re using for the test are prepared for both response formats.
Quick comparison of the old and new Casper tests
| OLD CASPER | NEW CASPER |
|---|---|
| 12 scenarios | 15 scenarios |
| 8 video-based scenarios 4 word-based scenarios | 10 video-based scenarios 5 word-based scenarios |
| Typed responses only | 9/15 scenarios require typed responses 6/15 scenarios require video-recorded responses |
| One response section | Typed-response section appears first Video-response section appears second |
| Total test time = 60-90 minutes | Total test time = 100 – 120 minutes |
Breaking Down Casper Scenarios for 2022-23
| SCENARIOS REQUIRING TYPED RESPONSES | SCENARIOS REQUIRING VIDEO RESPONSES |
|---|---|
| 3/9 scenarios are word-based | 2/6 scenarios are word-based |
| 6/9 scenarios are video-based | 4/6 scenarios are video-based |
What does this mean for the Casper scores you receive?
All programs will continue receiving Casper scores as they normally have from the typed-response section to incorporate into their existing process. 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. It is important to note that scores from the video responses will only be shared with early adopter programs once specific research thresholds and criteria are met so that they are used responsibly in the admissions process.
A rigorous vetting process is being implemented to select those programs who will receive video-response scores. While not every program may be using the results from the video-response section, we will be sharing aggregate results to all programs at the end of the cycle for review. Your responses are imperative to ensuring we’re addressing applicants’ concerns around this being a speed test and making Casper more fair and equitable for all applicants.
How will applicants benefit?
Early research has shown that demographic differences were reduced across several demographic characteristics when applicants used the video-response format. We want to continue collecting research in this area due to the promising early results as one way to support programs in their ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Though differences in performance on Casper between various demographic groups are smaller than other standardized tests and admissions metrics, we’ve continued to explore ways to reduce them further. By adding a video response section to Casper, it is our hope that demographic differences in test scores will continue to be further reduced. The video format also provides applicants with more than one mode of communication and expression of thought to demonstrate their professionalism and social intelligence that may be preferable to some applicants for a variety of reasons.
What can we share with our applicants to help them prepare?
We have updated the online Altus Applicant Communication Kit with new copy for your program’s admissions requirements page that explains what applicants need to know about the new test format. We will also be updating the TakeAltus website with detailed test prep materials, resources, and FAQs during the week of February 14, ahead of the cycle start date.
