Casper (admissions test)
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CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics), is an admissions test developed by researchers Dr. Harold Reiter[1] and Dr. Kelly Dore[2] at McMaster University's Program for Educational Research and Development (PERD) and used by the McMaster University Medical School since 2010.[3][4][5] The test was developed to assess an academic applicant's personal and professional (also known as non-cognitive or non-academic) attributes in an online format in the pre-screening stage of the application process. The test has been in use at McMaster University Medical School since 2010.[4][5] It was piloted by Northern Ontario School of Medicine in the 2014 application cycle. In 2015 the test was adopted by three medical schools: the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New York Medical College.[4][5] In 2015, the test was also adopted by the nursing schools at McMaster University, York University, Mohawk College and Conestoga College. In 2016, it was also adopted by Tulane University School of Medicine, East Tennessee State University and Central Michigan University's Schools of Medicine.
Since 2015, development and delivery of CASPer has been the responsibility of Altus Assessments Inc, a Canadian Corporation,[6][7] and delivered through the site takecasper.com. CASPer is a registered trademark of Altus Assessments in the US, Australia, and the EU.[8][9][10]
Two primary peer-reviewed papers are published covering the structure and efficacy of CASPer. The original paper, published in Academic Medicine, references the original name of CASPer "CMSENS",.[11] The second primary peer-reviewed paper is published in Advances in Health Science Education, and covers the structure, reliability and predictive validity found for the test.[12]
Although fees vary by program and country, CASPer cost consists of a base fee ($10–40) and a distribution fee for each school results are sent to ($10).[13] Results are valid for one application cycle only.
Schools
Medical schools
Medical schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- McMaster University Medical School (2010)
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine (2015)
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (2015)
- New York Medical College (2015)
- Tulane University School of Medicine (2016)
- East Tennessee State University (2016)
- Central Michigan University (2016)
- University of Illinois College of Medicine (2016)
- McGill University Faculty of Medicine (2017)
- Dalhousie University (2018)
- University of Alberta (2018)
Medical Residency programs
Residency programs currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- University of Saskatchewan (all programs) (2015)
Nursing schools
Nursing schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- McMaster University (2015)
- York University (2015)
- Mohawk College (2015)
- Conestoga College (2015)
- Trent University (2016)
- Nipissing University (2016)
- University of British Columbia (2016)
Optometry schools
Optometry schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- University of Waterloo (2016)
- University of Montreal (2016)
Pharmacy schools
Pharmacy schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- University of Laval (2016)
- University of Montreal (2016)
Veterinary schools
Veterinary schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- University of Montreal (2016)
Dentistry schools
Dentistry schools currently using CASPer (year adopted in brackets):
- University of Montreal (2016)
- University of British Columbia (2018)
- McGill University (2018)
Format
The test, which is a form of situational judgement test, has 12 sections that either consist of video-based scenarios or word-based scenarios, based on real life situations.[13] Video based scenarios consist of a short video followed by a series of 3 open ended follow-up questions. Word based scenarios consist of a paragraph describing a scenario followed by a series of 3 open ended follow up questions. Candidates have 5 minutes to answer these 3 questions. In video based scenarios, the video cannot be replayed.[13]
References
- ^ "Harold Reiter". Fhs.mcmaster.ca. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "McMaster University Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact >> Kelly Dore". Fhs.mcmaster.ca. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Brains alone won't get you into McMaster medical school". The Globe And Mail. The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ a b c "BeMo's Guide To CASPer Preparation". CASPer Test Prep. BeMo Academic Consulting Inc. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "Astroff Consultants". Astroff Consultants. Astroff Consultants. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "Altus Assessments Homepage". Altusassessments.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "Federal Corporation Information - 902501-4 - Corporations Canada - Corporations - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada". Ic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ "United States Patent & Trademark Office".
- ^ "EUIPO - eSearch".
- ^ "ATMOSS - Australian Trade Mark Online Search System". Pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ Dore, Kelly (October 2009). "Extending the interview to all medical school candidates--Computer-Based Multiple Sample Evaluation of Noncognitive Skills (CMSENS)". Academic Medicine. 84 (10 Suppl): S9–12. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181b3705a. PMID 19907396.
- ^ Dore, Kelly L. (2017). "CASPer, an online pre-interview screen for personal/professional characteristics: prediction of national licensure scores | SpringerLink". Advances in Health Sciences Education. 22 (2): 327–336. doi:10.1007/s10459-016-9739-9. PMID 27873137.
- ^ a b c "Altus Assessments Inc. - About CASPer". Altus Assessments. Altus Assessments. Retrieved 21 August 2015.