Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Reviewed: 4/26/24
Planning to apply for a residency program? It's essential to familiarize yourself with the CASPer test, as many programs now require it. This article provides comprehensive information about CASPer for residency.
CASPer is an online situational judgment test that presents test-takers with hypothetical scenarios resembling real-life situations in a medical setting. Each scenario is followed by a set of open-ended questions that ask how the applicant would act in the situation.
CASPer stands out because it does not assess specific knowledge or content; instead, it evaluates the applicant's interpersonal skills, communication, empathy, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. It is renowned for its realistic scenarios and reliability in assessing non-academic skills, traits and capabilities.
Many medical schools use CASPer as an admission assessment due to it providing an additional dimension for applicants beyond academic skills and knowledge. For many residency programs, this is also the case. So this article will take you through everything you need to know about CASPer for residency.
CASPer is commonly used as an admission assessment by medical schools to evaluate applicants beyond their academic skills. The same holds true for many residency programs. This article will offer a comprehensive list of programs that mandate CASPer for admission and provide insights into the reasons behind it. Let’s get started!
Residency programs often receive a large number of applications, so it’s no surprise that CASPer is used as a screening tool to identify potential candidates. Here is a list of residency programs that require the CASPer test:
1. OB/GYN Residency Program at Ascension Providence Hospital
2. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Augusta University Medical College of Georgia
3. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center
4. Ophthalmology Residency Program, Royal Oak at Beaumont Health
5. Anesthesiology Residency Program at Boston Medical Center
8. OB-GYN Residency Program at the Creighton University School of Medicine
9. Ophthalmology Residency Training Program at the Duke University School of Medicine
10. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Eastern Virginia Medical School
11. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Institute
12. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Harvard Medical School
13. Anesthesiology Residency Program at Henry Ford Hospital
14. Ophthalmology Residency Training Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine
16. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
17. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Cook County Health
19. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Kettering Health Network
20. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Kresge Eye Institute
21. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Krieger Eye Institute
22. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Larkin Community Hospital
23. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine Mason Eye Institute
24. Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Residency Training Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin
25. OB-GYN Residency Program at the Mountain Area Health Education Center
26. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Nassau University Medical Center
27. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Nazareth Hospital
28. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
29. Ophthalmology Residency Program at New York Medical College
30. General Surgery Residency at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
31. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Northwell Health Eye Institute
32. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
33. Graduate Medical Education Programs at NYU Grossman School of Medicine Langone Health
34. OB-GYN Residency at Ohio Health Riverside Methodist Hospital
35. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute
36. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
37. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
38. Ophthalmology & Visual Science Residency Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
39. Ophthalmology Residency Program at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
40. OB-Gyn Residency Program at St. Joseph Hospital
41. Ophthalmology Residency Program at St. Louis University School of Medicine
42. Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Mary Mercy Hospital
43. OB-GYN Residency Program at Stamford Health
44. Stanford Ophthalmology Advanced Research Residency Program at Stanford Medical School
45. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Medical University of South Carolina Storm Eye Institute
46. Ophthalmology Residency Program at SUNY Downstate Medical Center
47. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the SUNY Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine
48. Ophthalmology Residency Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University
49. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine
50. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
51. OB-GYN Residency Program at the Brooklyn Hospital Center
52. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Ohio State University College of Medicine
53. Ophthalmology Residency Program at Tulane Medical School
54. Stein Eye Institute Ophthalmology Residency Program at UCLA Medical School
55. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University at Buffalo
57. Anesthesiology Residency Program at the University of Arizona Health Sciences
58. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
59. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of California Davis Eye Center
61. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of California San Francisco
62. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Chicago
63. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
64. Internal Residency Program at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
65. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Illinois Chicago
66. OB-GYN Residency Program at the University of Iowa
67. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine
68. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Louisville
69. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center
70. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
71. Anesthesiology Residency Program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
72. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
73. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
74. Ophthalmology Program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine
75. Ophthalmology Program at the University of Oklahoma
76. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Pennsylvania Perleman School of Medicine
77. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Puerto Rico
78. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Rochester Flaum Eye Institute
80. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
82. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Tennessee Memphis Health Science Center
83. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
84. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
85. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
86. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
87. Anesthesiology Residency Program at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
88. Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Pittsburgh
89. OB-GYN Residency Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
90. OB-GYN Residency Program at Virtua Health
91. OBGYN Residency Program at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
92. OBGYN Residency Program at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Residency programs understand that a competent physician needs more than just medical knowledge and clinical skills. In addition to academic achievements, knowledge, and abilities, they seek well-rounded individuals who can excel in the complex healthcare environment.
CASPer, rather than testing specific knowledge, assesses applicants' interpersonal skills, communication, empathy, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. Many residency programs favor CASPer because it evaluates non-cognitive skills and personal qualities essential for effective medical practice and patient care.
Admissions committees use CASPer to ensure that applicants align with the values, ethics, and professionalism expected in the healthcare field.
Take a look at our answers to these frequently asked questions about taking the CASPer test for resiency.
No, CASPer is not universally required for residency, but some programs may consider it. CASPer evaluates decision-making, ethical handling, and communication skills, offering an additional dimension in candidate assessment. While it's not mandatory, it can be beneficial, demonstrating qualities crucial for effective patient care.
This is most likely due to the utility of the test. CASPer is designed to assess how well applicants handle complex and ethical situations in the professional world. With realistic, well-designed scenarios, the test effectively evaluates attributes like professionalism, empathy, communication skills, and ethical decision-making.
It focuses on personal attributes that are necessary for being a successful physician, regardless of the candidate's background or prior experiences. Because of this, CASPer is designed to be a fair assessment tool that effectively levels the playing field for all applicants. All of these make CASPer valuable in screening applicants.
With the increasing competitiveness of residency admissions, programs may use CASPer as a tool to distinguish applicants who have similar academic credentials and have a more in-depth introspect on how
Because CASPer is not an academic test like GRE, it is not recommended to spend many hours studying in a traditional sense. In fact, the CASPer test has no “right” answers, as the responses are designed to show what you would do or how you would judge certain situations. Preparation seems tricky but still very much needed.
For one, you should still do much practice and familiarize yourself with the test so you have an easier time answering. Know the test format, what the questions are like, how they are presented to you, and make yourself comfortable with responding. CASPer responses have time limits, so being able to answer quickly is a must.
As many CASPer scenarios involve ethical dilemmas, you must know how to reflect on your personal values and ethical principles to better navigate these situations and provide thoughtful responses. You should also work on effective communication. Clearly convey your thoughts, reasoning, and considerations while being concise.
Residency programs utilize the CASPer test to assess candidates' suitability as medical professionals beyond their academic qualifications. Research indicates that the personal traits assessed by CASPer align with future performance in medical school and in the medical field.
Doing well on CASPer is crucial for securing a spot in a residency program. It's important to note that CASPer doesn't have one "correct" answer. Instead, focus on showcasing your ethical reasoning, interpersonal skills, and your ability to handle challenging situations effectively.
While you can't predict the exact scenarios you'll encounter, practicing with sample scenarios and refining your approach to ethical decision-making can help you feel more confident on test day. Best wishes!
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