CASPer Test Sample Questions & Answers

We’re back this week with more CASPer Test content! 

What is the CASPer Test?  It’s a situational judgement test used by various professional schools to assess your interpersonal qualities. The assessment is composed of two sections – one section entails responding to each question by typing your responses, and another section involves recording short video responses. 

Both sections are made up of a series of scenarios. Some are presented as a block of text while others are presented through a short video. Each scenario is followed by three questions that you have to answer in a specific amount of time.

The best way to approach these questions and ensure you’re providing a thorough response is to…

• Use the entirety of the allotted time to reflect on and answer the questions

• Make sure your responses are addressing the question

• Keep your answers clear and concise

• Take all of the different perspectives mentioned in the scenario into consideration

• Respond empathetically 

If you want to learn more about the test, you can read all about the breakdown of the two sections and why it’s a useful assessment tool in one of our previous blog posts. Today, we’re going to go over a few CASPer sample questions and answers. 

We’re drawing our questions from the ones provided by Altus. We’ve provided sample responses for three of their practice questions.  The scenarios we selected are all in text format, unlike the actual CASPer exam which, again, will use both text-based and video scenarios. 

Let’s dive in!

Scenario #1: Toy Shop

You are the store manager at a toy store and you overhear the following interaction between a customer and one of your employees at the front desk. The customer asks to return a toy he bought recently. When asked if he has his receipt, he says that he doesn’t have one but he definitely bought the toy here. Apologetic, the employee explains that she can’t give him a refund without the receipt. However, she can give him store credit.

The man says that store credit just won’t do. He really needs the refund because his daughter came down with pneumonia and he needs the money to fill her prescription. The employee stands her ground, repeating that she can’t give him a refund without the receipt. He asks for an exception, just this once, just because his daughter’s health is at risk. The employee turns to you and asks for your input on the situation.

Question 1: As the store manager, would you give this customer a refund? Why or why not? 

I would give this customer a refund. As the store manager, I have been entrusted with the discretion to make difficult decisions that both protect the business and uphold exceptional service. I want to show the father that both the company and myself empathize with his situation. The cost of the toy is likely not significant, so it wouldn’t harm the company’s finances. Meanwhile, this act of kindness could bolster the store’s reputation and long-term success.   

Question 2: If you decide to abide by store policy, how could you refuse the refund in a way that shows empathy for the customer? 

Firstly, I would confirm whether the customer still has the receipt. If so, I would encourage him to return with it so that we can process the refund in a way that abides by store policy. If he doesn’t have the receipt, I would state that although I acknowledge his concerns and empathize with his situation, we cannot process the refund without the receipt. I would also offer him a store coupon or discount code that he can use to buy his daughter a gift.

Question 3: In your opinion, what is the most essential quality to possess in a customer service position? Explain your answer. 

Being an adept communicator is the most important quality as it allows you to build strong bonds with your customers, transform complex information to make it more accessible and enjoyable, and effectively showcase your competence. Together, these abilities will provide customers with a tailored personal experience that will meet their needs, help build a foundation of trust, and ultimately benefit the business.

Scenario #2: Personal Question 

Think of a time when you had to make a sacrifice in order to accomplish a goal

Question 1: Briefly describe the situation and the sacrifice you made. 

My friend’s engagement party, which was organized at the last minute, was two days before the final exam of my most challenging class. My friend still insisted that I attend, but I respectfully chose not to because I’ll be applying to medical school and couldn’t risk a poor grade. This led to a rift in our friendship.  

Question 2: Do you regret your decision? Why or why not? 

I don’t regret my decision because it helped me achieve a competitive grade. Moreover, it helped me recognize the importance of surrounding myself with friends who are understanding, empathetic and supportive. It also encouraged me to speak to my family and current friends about my academic and professional goals and that achieving them may sometimes require sacrifices.

Question 3: Did you learn anything from this situation that can be applied to your desired career? Explain your response. 

I learned the importance of setting boundaries and expectations, which both require effective communication and self-awareness. In order for relationships to succeed, the expectations that each side has for the other need to be identified early on. This will help avoid misunderstanding as well as ensure that the needs of both parties are met. In medicine, this applies to the relationship that a physician has with an employer as well as the relationship that they have with a patient. 

Scenario #3: Group Project

You’re working on a group project that’s due at the end of the week. One of your group members, Paul, dropped out of the group because of a medical condition he was dealing with. He ended up needing to put all of his courses on hold that semester. Your group is now saddled with his portion of the work as well as everything else that needs to get done before the deadline. 

Your groupmate, Owen, finds photos of Paul at someone’s pool party. Infuriated at the thought of Paul relaxing while the group struggles to get the project done on time, Jamie wants to report Paul to the course instructor. Owen points out that the photo could have been taken weeks ago but only posted to Instagram now. Your groupmates can’t agree on a course of action. They ask for your input. 

Question 1: What do you recommend to your group members? 

I would advise against jumping to any conclusions without having all of the facts. Instead, I would offer to reach out to Paul to indicate that his post raised some concern within the group, which is under a lot of pressure to complete the project. If the photo was taken previously, then there is no issue. If it was taken now, then I would suggest that Paul hold himself accountable by speaking directly to the professor. 

Question 2: Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not? 

Generally, I don’t think it’s okay to do so. It’s best to exhaust other options, such as speaking with those involved and others who may have some insight, before reporting to a supervisor. Reporting based on mere suspicion could unfairly impact others, their livelihood, and their reputation. However, if there's a risk to someone's safety, then it’s acceptable to report based on suspicion since the consequences of not reporting will likely outweigh the consequences of a false report. 

Question 3: Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone’s career? Explain your response. 

Yes because an inappropriate post can deter employers who may question whether your guiding principles align with their own. Although the post may not be an accurate portrayal of who you are, the situation doesn’t allow you to showcase your positive qualities to employers. However, it’s important to assess a potential employee’s actions following the inappropriate post, and to acknowledge that we all make mistakes and that we are all capable of change. 

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And there you have our three sample responses! 

Looking for more CASPer practice questions? Check out the practice exam that you can access through your Altus account. 

I Got In offers CASPer Test prep to help you identify the key concepts in each question and formulate your answers in a clear, efficient manner. Book a free consultation with one of our experts to learn how we can prepare you to tackle any CASPer question that comes your way.