CASPer
CASPer, which stands for Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics, is an admissions test developed by researchers at McMaster University Medical School in 2010.[1][2][3] The test is designed to test a candidates personal and non-cognitive attributes in an online format prior to the interview. The test has been in use at McMaster University Medical School since 2010.[2][3] It was then piloted by Northern Ontario School of Medicine in 2014 for one cycle. In late 2014, the CASPer IP was licensed to Altus Assessments Inc.[2][3] 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.[2][3] 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, Eastern Tennessee University and Central Michigan University's Schools of Medicine.
CASPer has been compared to an online MMI, and was developed by some of the researchers who had developed the widely used multiple mini interview in 2002.[1]
CASPer is now delivered by, Altus Assessments Inc.. In this publication,[4] the authors conclude "It is important to note that predictive validity has not been completely established." and that "more investigation remains".[4]
To date, no independent peer-reviewed publication has validated the efficacy of CASPer and given the conflict of interest by the original authors and McMaster University, claims of validity and predictability must be viewed with caution until further independent research is conducted.
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.[5] 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.[5]
References
- 1 2 "Brains alone won't get you into McMaster medical school". The Globe And Mail. The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "BeMo's Guide To CASPer Preparation". CASPer Test Prep. BeMo Academic Consulting Inc. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "Astroff Consultants". Astroff Consultants. Astroff Consultants. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- 1 2 Dore, Kelly (Oct. 2009). "Extending the interview to all medical school candidates--Computer-Based Multiple Sample Evaluation of Noncognitive Skills (CMSENS).". Academic Medicine. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181b3705a. PMID 19907396. Check date values in:
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(help) - 1 2 "Altus Assessments Inc. - About CASPer". Altus Assessments. Altus Assessments. Retrieved 21 August 2015.