A CASPer prep checklist should cover more than practice questions. Strong preparation also includes registration details, Acuity account setup, program distribution checks, realistic CASPer practice, and a calm test-day plan supported by PrepTrack's CASPer prep tools.
CASPer is an online, open-response situational judgment test administered by Acuity Insights. For most 2026-2027 applicants, the standard test includes 11 scenarios: 4 video-response scenarios and 7 typed-response scenarios. The test usually takes about 65-85 minutes including optional breaks. Because program requirements and distribution deadlines can vary, verify details in your Acuity account and with each program.
CASPer Prep Checklist: Registration to Test Day
Use this checklist as a workflow. The order matters: first confirm you are registered for the right test type and programs, then learn the format, then practice, then finalize logistics.
| Stage | Checklist item | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Confirm test type, date, fees, program list, and applicant IDs | Program requirements vary by cycle and school |
| Setup | Complete Acuity account tasks and read current instructions | The portal is the source of truth for your test |
| Format | Review video and typed response timing | Prevents avoidable pacing mistakes |
| Practice | Complete official practice and targeted independent practice | Builds familiarity without score guarantees |
| Review | Keep a mistake log | Turns attempts into improvement |
| Test day | Confirm ID, room, camera, microphone, browser, and internet | Reduces technical and check-in risk |
If you are early in the process, start with CASPer Prep for Beginners: Where to Start. If you are comparing paid support with independent study, read CASPer Prep Course vs Self-Study: Which Is Right for You? before buying anything.
Registration and Account Setup Checklist
Before you study heavily, make sure the administrative side is correct. CASPer results are distributed directly to programs on your distribution list, usually about 2-3 weeks after the test. Applicant quartile results are usually available later, about 4-5 weeks after the test. Those timelines are general guidance, not a substitute for checking your own account.
| Task | Confirmed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Correct admissions cycle | Yes / No | Requirements can change by cycle |
| Correct test type | Yes / No | Health professions programs may use different test categories |
| Program list added | Yes / No | Check every school or program requiring CASPer |
| Applicant IDs entered | Yes / No | Some programs require specific IDs |
| Fees reviewed | Yes / No | Costs can vary by distribution choices |
| Accommodations submitted if needed | Yes / No | Follow official timelines and documentation rules |
| Date and time zone checked | Yes / No | Avoid late or missed testing |
Do not rely on old school lists or social media comments for requirements. Your Acuity account and individual programs are safer sources for current details.
Format and Timing Checklist
CASPer has two response modes. You need to be comfortable with both before test day.
| Format area | What to know | Practice action |
|---|---|---|
| Video scenarios | 4 scenarios, 2 questions each, 1 minute per response | Practice direct first sentences and clean endings |
| Typed scenarios | 7 scenarios, 2 questions each, 3.5 minutes total | Practice answering both questions within the shared time |
| Breaks | Optional breaks appear during the test | Decide in advance how you will use them |
| Scoring | Trained human raters evaluate response substance | Focus on judgment, not perfect grammar |
| Official practice | Familiarizes you with the platform | Remember it does not score or save your answers |
Minor spelling and grammar issues are less important than substance, but unclear writing can still make reasoning harder to follow. For typed sections, bullets are acceptable if they help you communicate quickly and clearly.
Practice and Review Checklist
Effective practice is not just answering prompts. It is answering, reviewing, and applying one lesson to a new scenario.
| Practice task | Minimum useful version | Stronger version |
|---|---|---|
| Scenario attempt | Answer before reading examples | Time yourself under real constraints |
| Stakeholder scan | Name the people affected | Include quieter or less powerful stakeholders |
| Missing information | State what you would ask | Avoid assuming motives or facts |
| Action | Give a concrete next step | Match the action to risk and policy |
| Follow-up | Explain what happens next | Include escalation when safety, fairness, or policy requires it |
| Review | Note one weakness | Track repeated patterns across sessions |
For a more focused review system, use CASPer Study Mistake Log: How to Track Improvement after each session.
Video and Typed Response Checklist
Video and typed responses fail in different ways. Video answers often lose structure because the applicant starts talking before deciding on a point. Typed answers often become unbalanced because the first question consumes too much time.
| Response type | Before answering | While answering | After practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video | Choose one clear first sentence | Keep eye contact natural and speak plainly | Watch once for clarity, not self-criticism |
| Typed | Decide how to split the 3.5 minutes | Use concise sentences or bullets | Check whether Question 2 was complete |
| Both | Identify issue and stakeholders | Give a realistic action and reason | Add one mistake-log note |
Avoid over-polishing. CASPer rewards judgment under time pressure, so your answer should sound thoughtful, specific, and human rather than rehearsed.
Final 72-Hour Checklist
The final stretch is for readiness. If you discover a major technical or account issue, contact official support through the proper channel rather than hoping it resolves itself.
| When | Checklist item | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| 72 hours before | Complete official practice and system check | Camera, microphone, browser, and internet work |
| 48 hours before | Review program distribution list | Schools and applicant IDs look correct |
| 24 hours before | Prepare ID, room, charger, and quiet environment | Nothing depends on a last-second search |
| Test morning | Close distractions and log in early | You are ready before the start time |
| During breaks | Reset, breathe, and move briefly if helpful | You return focused, not rushed |
If your test is very close, use Last-Minute CASPer Prep: What to Do in the Final 48 Hours instead of trying to complete every item in this full checklist.
FAQ About the CASPer Prep Checklist
What should a CASPer prep checklist include?
A CASPer prep checklist should include registration, program distribution, Acuity setup, official practice, timed CASPer practice, mistake-log review, technical requirements, ID readiness, and test-day environment checks.
When should I complete the official CASPer practice test?
Complete it before test day, ideally early enough to fix technical issues. The official practice test is useful for interface familiarity, but it does not provide an official score or feedback.
Can a checklist guarantee a better CASPer quartile?
No. Acuity uses trained human raters, and no checklist can guarantee an official CASPer quartile. The checklist reduces preventable problems and helps you practice more deliberately.
What should I check the morning of the test?
Check your ID, camera, microphone, browser, charger, internet connection, room setup, and login timing. Avoid starting new study tasks that could create stress without improving readiness.
Related CASPer Resources
- CASPer prep platform
- Free CASPer practice test
- Ultimate Guide to the CASPer Test
- Last-Minute CASPer Prep: What to Do in the Final 48 Hours
- Affordable CASPer Prep: A Budget-Friendly Study Plan
- CASPer Test Day Checklist
Final Takeaway
A CASPer prep checklist is useful because it separates what you can control from what you cannot. Verify the official logistics, practice both response formats, review your mistakes, and arrive on test day with fewer avoidable distractions.