If you’re in recruitment or leadership hiring, you’ve probably come across the term Casper Situational Judgement Test—especially in healthcare, education, or public sector roles.
But what exactly is it?
How is it different from regular SJTs?
And can you use it in your own hiring process?
In this blog, we’ll unpack the Casper test—its format, what it measures, how it’s scored, and why more employers are starting to pay attention.
🔍 What Is the Casper Situational Judgement Test?
Casper (which stands for Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a situational judgement test designed to evaluate professionalism, ethics, empathy, and communication skills.
It’s widely used in admissions for:
- Medical schools
- Nursing programs
- Teaching positions
- And increasingly, in corporate and public hiring
Unlike traditional SJTs with multiple-choice formats, Casper is open-response. Candidates have to type out their answers—which means no guesswork, no shortcuts, and no memorized responses.
🧠 What Does Casper Actually Measure?
Casper focuses on non-cognitive skills—the kind that determine how someone behaves in real-world, people-centered situations.
Here’s a breakdown of key competencies:
| Casper Measures… | Why It Matters in Hiring |
| Ethics & Integrity | Makes fair decisions even under pressure |
| Empathy | Understands others’ feelings and perspectives |
| Collaboration | Works well in teams and communicates respectfully |
| Adaptability | Stays calm and responsive in changing environments |
| Problem-Solving | Handles complex social or workplace dilemmas |
| Professionalism | Responds appropriately, with maturity and care |
For more on what SJTs in general measure, check out:
👉 What Do Situational Judgement Tests Measure
🧪 How the Casper Test Is Structured
Casper has two sections:
1. Video-Based Scenarios
- Candidates watch short video clips showing workplace or ethical dilemmas.
- After each clip, they’re asked 3 written-response questions.
- Example:
“What would you say to the individual in the video?”
“How would you handle the situation if it were happening to a teammate?”
2. Text-Based Scenarios
- These present written descriptions of everyday or professional conflicts.
- Again, candidates answer 3 short-answer questions per scenario.
Time Limit:
Each response must be typed within 5 minutes total (not per question). That means clear, concise thinking is key.
📝 How Is the Casper Test Scored?
Unlike multiple-choice SJTs, Casper responses are reviewed by trained human raters—each scenario is scored independently by a different rater to reduce bias.
Key Points:
- No grammar/spelling penalty (as long as ideas are clear)
- Scores are based on content—not length or writing style
- Responses are rated on thoughtfulness, insight, and relevance
Want to explore how other SJTs are scored in comparison?
👉 How Are Situational Judgement Tests Scored
📊 What Is a Good Casper Score?
Casper scores are reported as quartiles—not raw numbers. Candidates are placed in:
| Quartile | What It Indicates |
| Q4 | Top 25% of test-takers |
| Q3 | Above average |
| Q2 | Average |
| Q1 | Below average |
It’s not just about being “perfect”—what matters most is showing maturity, fairness, and emotional intelligence in every answer.
For a deeper guide on score interpretation:
👉 What Is a Good Score on the Situational Judgement Test
🤝 Should You Use Casper in Hiring?
While originally designed for academic admissions, Casper’s format is catching the eye of forward-thinking employers who want deeper insights into candidates’ judgment.
When Casper-style SJTs work best:
- People-heavy roles (nursing, HR, teaching, management)
- Leadership evaluations
- Values-based hiring
- Pre-screening for integrity and soft skills
If you’re hiring for roles where behavior under pressure is critical, Casper-style open-ended testing could help you find candidates who think before they act—and communicate clearly.
🧰 Alternatives and Similar Test Models
If you’re not ready to fully adopt Casper, you can still apply its principles:
| Option | Key Features |
| Traditional SJTs | Multiple choice, faster scoring |
| Ranking-based SJTs | Measures prioritization |
| Casper-style (open response) | Richer insights, deeper emotional context |
Need samples to build your own?
👉 350 Situational Judgement Test Sample Questions (PDF)
Or learn from large-scale models like the UK’s DWP test:
👉 UK’s DWP Situational Judgement Test
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes the Casper test different from other SJTs?
Great question! Unlike most SJTs that are multiple-choice, Casper uses open-ended questions. Candidates type written responses to realistic scenarios, which are then scored by trained human raters. It focuses more on empathy, ethics, and professionalism than simple right-or-wrong answers.
2. How long does the Casper test take to complete?
The Casper test typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Each scenario section gives you 5 minutes to answer three questions. The entire test includes both video-based and text-based scenarios, so pace and clarity matter.
Need more timing details?
👉 How Long Is the Situational Judgement Test
3. What skills or traits does Casper measure?
Casper assesses your non-academic qualities, including:
- Ethical judgment
- Empathy
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Adaptability
It’s all about how you handle real-world, human-centered dilemmas—especially under pressure.
4. How is Casper scored? Is it objective?
Each scenario is scored independently by different raters, using rubrics focused on content quality, clarity, and insight. There’s no grammar or spelling penalty (as long as your ideas are clear). Scores are reported in quartiles, comparing performance across all test-takers.
For more on scoring mechanics:
👉 How Are Situational Judgement Tests Scored
5. What is a “good” Casper score?
Casper results are divided into quartiles:
- Q4: Top 25% (excellent)
- Q3: Above average
- Q2: Average
- Q1: Below average
A “good” score usually means you’re in Q3 or Q4, but remember—schools and employers look at Casper alongside other factors too.
Explore score benchmarks here:
👉 What Is a Good Score on the Situational Judgement Test
6. Can candidates prepare for the Casper test?
Yes—but not by cramming facts. The best preparation is to:
- Reflect on ethical and professional workplace scenarios
- Practice writing clearly under time pressure
- Stay calm and be authentic in your responses
Bonus:
👉 350 Situational Judgement Test Sample Questions (PDF)
7. Is Casper only for medical or teaching careers?
Originally, yes—but not anymore. While it’s still widely used for medical school admissions, nursing, and teaching, more employers and recruiters are adopting Casper-style tests for leadership, HR, and values-based hiring.
8. Can I use Casper-style testing in corporate hiring?
Absolutely! Many companies are adapting open-response SJTs like Casper to evaluate soft skills, culture fit, and leadership traits—especially for roles where empathy and decision-making are key.
✍️ Final Thoughts
The Casper Situational Judgement Test isn’t just another screening tool—it’s a window into how people really think, feel, and behave in the kinds of situations they’ll face in the workplace.
If you’re serious about hiring people who are not only smart but self-aware, empathetic, and ethical, Casper-style assessments are worth considering.
📚 Want to explore more?
- How Long Is the Situational Judgement Test
- Situational Judgement: Complete Guide for CEOs & Recruiters
Because in hiring, judgment is just as important as knowledge. ✅