One of the most effective ways to prepare for the CASPer test is to see real examples of questions and understand what makes responses effective or ineffective. This guide provides realistic CASPer questions with both strong and weak example answers, along with detailed reasoning for why each response works or doesn't work.
Each example includes the question type, key competency being tested, and analysis of what makes the strong answers effective and the weak answers problematic. Use these examples to understand the patterns of strong CASPer responses and common pitfalls to avoid.
The examples in this guide are designed to show you the difference between effective and ineffective CASPer responses. Each example includes:
Situational questions present realistic scenarios and ask how you would respond. They test your ethical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and professional judgment. Strong answers typically follow the CARE framework: Clarify, Ask, Recognize, Explore.
The CARE Framework for Situational Questions
Strong situational responses often follow the CARE framework:
For a detailed guide on using the CARE framework and other response strategies, see our How to Answer CASPer Questions guide.
Scenario: You and your colleague have been assigned to complete an important project together with a strict deadline. However, you've noticed that your colleague is consistently missing deadlines and not contributing effectively to the project, putting its success at risk.
Question: What steps would you take to address this situation and ensure the project is completed on time?
Competency: Collaboration
My primary concern would be ensuring project success while maintaining a positive working relationship with my colleague. Before taking action, I would need to understand the root cause of their poor performance - are they overwhelmed with other responsibilities, lacking necessary skills, facing personal challenges, or unclear about expectations? I would schedule a private, non-confrontational conversation to discuss the project status and ask about any obstacles they're facing. I would also review our initial project plan to ensure deadlines and responsibilities were clearly communicated. If they're struggling with specific tasks, I would offer support, resources, or suggest redistributing responsibilities based on our strengths. Should personal issues be affecting their work, I would express empathy while discussing how we can manage the project moving forward. If the issues persist after our discussion and support attempts, I would document the situation and escalate to our supervisor to protect the project's success. Throughout this process, I would maintain detailed records of project progress and communications. To prevent similar issues in future collaborations, I would suggest implementing regular check-ins, clearer milestone tracking, and establishing upfront communication protocols for any challenges that arise.
Why This Works:
I would be frustrated with my colleague for not pulling their weight. Since the project deadline is approaching, I would probably just do their work myself to make sure we don't fail. I might mention to them that they need to step up, but I wouldn't want to create drama or make them feel bad. If they continued to underperform, I would just focus on doing my own work well and let them deal with the consequences. It's not really my job to manage other people or get involved in their personal issues.
Why This Doesn't Work:
Scenario: During a group project at university, you notice that one of your teammates consistently submits subpar work and frequently misses meetings. The project grade will heavily influence your final grade in the course.
Question: What actions would you take to address the issue with your teammate while ensuring the project progresses smoothly? Explain your response.
Competency: Self-awareness
The core issue here is balancing team accountability with supporting a struggling teammate while protecting everyone's academic outcomes. My primary concern would be understanding why my teammate is underperforming - there could be personal challenges, academic difficulties, or unclear expectations affecting their contributions. I would first schedule a private conversation with them to discuss their perspective and any obstacles they're facing. I'd want to understand if this is a temporary situation or if they need additional support to succeed. Before this conversation, I would also review our project timeline and identify which tasks are most critical to avoid compromising our final grade. During our discussion, I would approach the situation with empathy while clearly communicating how their absence and work quality are affecting the team's progress. If they reveal personal challenges, I would explore whether we can redistribute tasks or adjust deadlines to accommodate their needs while maintaining project quality. However, if they seem disengaged or unwilling to improve, I would implement a backup plan where other team members can cover essential components. I would also establish clear expectations and deadlines moving forward, with regular check-ins to monitor progress. If the situation doesn't improve after giving them a fair opportunity, I would consider involving our professor or TA for guidance, as they may have resources or policies to help address the situation while protecting everyone's grades.
Why This Works:
I would be pretty frustrated with this teammate since their poor performance is affecting my grade. I would probably just talk to them directly and tell them they need to step up their game or we'll all suffer. If they don't improve quickly, I would just do their work myself to make sure we get a good grade, even though it's not fair to the rest of us. I might also mention it to the professor so they know it wasn't my fault if the project doesn't go well. It's really important that I get a good grade in this course, so I would do whatever it takes to make sure this teammate doesn't drag down our group's performance.
Why This Doesn't Work:
Scenario: You discover that a co-worker has been consistently taking credit for your ideas during team meetings. You have a good relationship with this co-worker and you believe they may not realize the impact of their actions on your professional reputation.
Question: How would you approach your co-worker about this issue to ensure that your concerns are communicated effectively and the professional relationship remains intact? Explain your response.
Competency: Communication
My primary concern would be addressing this issue while preserving both my professional reputation and our working relationship. Before approaching my co-worker, I would first gather specific examples of when this occurred, including dates and witnesses present, to ensure I have concrete evidence rather than vague accusations. I would then request a private one-on-one meeting with them in a neutral setting to discuss this matter confidentially. During our conversation, I would use non-confrontational language, starting with something like 'I wanted to discuss something that's been on my mind' and then present specific instances where my ideas were presented without attribution. I would give them the benefit of the doubt by saying 'I don't think you realize this is happening, but...' and explain how this impacts my professional growth and recognition. I would listen to their perspective to understand if this is truly unintentional or if there are underlying issues. If they acknowledge the problem, I would propose solutions such as them publicly correcting the record in future meetings or establishing a system for properly attributing ideas. If the behavior continues despite our discussion, I would document these conversations and consider involving my supervisor, focusing on the impact on team dynamics rather than personal grievances. Throughout this process, I would maintain professionalism and focus on finding a constructive resolution that benefits both our working relationship and the team's overall effectiveness.
Why This Works:
I would probably just let it go since we have a good relationship and I don't want to create conflict. It's not worth risking our friendship over some ideas. Maybe they don't even realize they're doing it, and if I bring it up, it might make things awkward between us. I could try to speak up more during meetings to make sure my ideas are heard, or maybe just be more careful about when I share my thoughts. If it really bothers me, I might mention it casually to see how they respond, but I wouldn't want to make a big deal out of it.
Why This Doesn't Work:
After reviewing these situational examples, you should notice several patterns that characterize effective responses:
Based on the weak examples above, here are the most common mistakes in situational responses:
Personal questions ask about your experiences, beliefs, and reflections. They test your self-awareness, values, and ability to learn from experiences. Strong answers typically follow the ARC framework: Anecdote, Reflection, Connection.
The ARC Framework for Personal Questions
Strong personal responses often follow the ARC framework:
For a detailed guide on using the ARC framework and other response strategies, see our How to Answer CASPer Questions guide.
Scenario: Think about a time when you felt unmotivated but had to find a way to push through and achieve your goal. Describe the situation and what strategies you used to overcome your lack of motivation.
Question: What specific goal were you trying to achieve during this period of low motivation, and why was it important to you?
Competency: Motivation
During my final year of university, I was working on my honors thesis while juggling part-time work and course load. Three months before the deadline, I hit a wall of complete motivation loss - the research felt endless, my data seemed inconclusive, and I questioned whether my topic even mattered. I realized I needed to reconnect with my 'why' and break the overwhelming task into manageable pieces. I scheduled weekly meetings with my supervisor to maintain accountability, created daily micro-goals instead of focusing on the massive end product, and established a reward system for completing small milestones. I also reached out to peers who had completed similar projects for perspective and encouragement. Most importantly, I revisited my initial passion for the topic by reading inspiring research in the field and reminding myself how this work could contribute to my future career goals. Through this structured approach, I regained momentum and completed a thesis I was proud of. This experience taught me that motivation isn't a constant state but a skill that can be cultivated through intentional strategies, accountability systems, and reconnecting with purpose. These lessons about persistence and strategic goal-setting will be invaluable in my future medical career, where long-term projects and sustained effort in the face of setbacks will be essential for providing excellent patient care.
Why This Works:
I remember when I was studying for my MCAT and felt really unmotivated. It was hard to focus and I didn't want to study. I just pushed through by forcing myself to study every day even when I didn't want to. I told myself I had to do well to get into medical school. Eventually I got through it and did okay on the test. I learned that sometimes you just have to push through when you don't feel like doing something.
Why This Doesn't Work:
Scenario: Reflect on a quote by Nelson Mandela: 'Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.'
Question: Can you provide a specific example of a time you faced a significant challenge or failure? How did you overcome it?
Competency: Resilience
During my junior year of college, I was rejected from a competitive summer research program that I had spent months preparing for. The rejection email arrived just days before finals, and I felt devastated - this program was crucial for my graduate school applications. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, I decided to create my own research opportunity. I reached out to three professors whose work aligned with my interests, proposing to volunteer in their labs over the summer. One professor agreed, and I spent the summer conducting independent research on antibiotic resistance patterns. While unpaid, this experience taught me more about scientific methodology than I could have imagined. I learned to design experiments, analyze data, and present findings at our department's fall symposium. This setback taught me that rejection often redirects us toward better opportunities if we remain proactive and open-minded. I realized that resilience isn't just about bouncing back - it's about using obstacles as catalysts for creative problem-solving. In healthcare, I'll inevitably face treatment failures and difficult diagnoses, but this experience showed me that setbacks can lead to innovative solutions when approached with determination and flexibility.
Why This Works:
I think Mandela's quote means that failure is part of success. I've had some challenges in my life, like when I didn't get into my first choice college. I was pretty upset about it at first, but I eventually got over it and went to my second choice school instead. It worked out okay in the end. I learned that sometimes things don't go the way you want them to, but you just have to keep trying. Everyone faces setbacks, so it's important to not give up when things get tough.
Why This Doesn't Work:
Scenario: Reflect on a time when you stood up for someone else. This could be a friend, a family member, a coworker or even a stranger. Think about the situation, what prompted you to take action, and the outcome of your intervention.
Question: What were your initial thoughts and feelings about the situation before you decided to stand up for the other person?
Competency: Empathy
During my part-time job at a retail store, I witnessed a customer repeatedly yelling at my coworker Maria about a return policy she couldn't control. The customer was using derogatory language and making personal attacks. Initially, I felt anxious about intervening since I was newer than Maria and worried about overstepping boundaries. However, seeing her distress and the customer's escalating behavior, I realized someone needed to act. I approached calmly and offered to help resolve the situation, redirecting the customer's attention to me while giving Maria a chance to step back. I listened to the customer's concerns and explained our manager could review the policy exception. This de-escalated the situation and the customer left satisfied. Maria later thanked me, saying she felt supported and less alone. This experience taught me that standing up for others requires courage to overcome personal discomfort, but it's essential for creating respectful environments. It also showed me the importance of intervening thoughtfully rather than confrontationally. In healthcare, I'll encounter situations where patients or colleagues face unfair treatment, and this experience reinforced that advocating for others' dignity and wellbeing is both a professional responsibility and moral imperative.
Why This Works:
I stood up for my friend when someone was being mean to them. I told the person to stop and they did. My friend was happy and thanked me. I felt good about helping them. I think it's important to help people when they're being treated badly. Standing up for others is the right thing to do and I would do it again.
Why This Doesn't Work:
After reviewing these personal examples, you should notice several patterns that characterize effective responses:
Based on the weak examples above, here are the most common mistakes in personal responses:
Now that you've seen examples of strong and weak answers, put your skills to the test with our comprehensive collection of CASPer practice questions.
These examples demonstrate that effective CASPer responses require more than just good intentions - they need systematic thinking, ethical reasoning, and professional communication skills.
The key is to practice regularly with realistic scenarios, develop your frameworks for different question types, and build your ability to think quickly and communicate clearly under pressure. With consistent practice and the right approach, you can develop the skills needed to demonstrate your best qualities on the CASPer test.
Good luck with your CASPer preparation! Remember that the goal is to show your genuine competency and professional judgment, not to provide perfect answers.