The CASPer test is designed to assess your professional judgment, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal skills through various types of questions. Understanding the different question formats will help you prepare comprehensively and develop targeted strategies for each type.
This guide breaks down the major question types you'll encounter, explains what each is testing, provides real examples, and references our strategies for approaching them effectively.
Before diving into question types, it's important to understand the basic structure of CASPer test questions. For a complete overview of the test format, timing, and technical requirements, see our CASPer Test Format guide.
In CASPer terminology, a question consists of a scenario (either video or text) followed by two prompts that you must answer. The scenario sets up the context, while the prompts are the specific queries you need to respond to.
Importantly, the two prompts within a single question can be of different types. For example, a scenario might be paired with one situational prompt and one personal prompt. This means you need to be prepared to use different frameworks and approaches even within the same question.
The question types described below refer to the prompt types, not necessarily the scenario types. Understanding this distinction will help you approach each prompt appropriately, regardless of what scenario it's attached to.
CASPer questions can be categorized into three main types, each designed to assess different aspects of your professional judgment and interpersonal skills. Understanding these categories will help you develop targeted preparation strategies.
Majority of questions
Present specific scenarios and ask how you would respond. Test ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and professionalism.
Common question type
Ask about your experiences, beliefs, and reflections. Test self-awareness, personal growth, and values.
Less common
Include policy and philosophical questions that test critical thinking, systemic understanding, and abstract reasoning.
The examples provided throughout this guide are condensed versions for illustration purposes. Real CASPer scenarios are typically more detailed and nuanced.
While this guide covers the main question types based on past CASPer tests, the actual test may include additional variations. The core focus remains on situational judgment - assessing your soft skills by putting you in real-world scenarios and understanding how you think. So even if you encounter slightly different question formats, the fundamental skills being tested will align with what we've described here.
Situational questions are the backbone of the CASPer test, making up the majority of all questions. These questions present you with realistic scenarios and ask how you would respond. They're designed to assess your ethical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and professional judgment in real-world situations.
The key to situational questions is understanding that they're intentionally incomplete. The scenarios often lack crucial information, and part of your job is to identify what additional context you need before making any decisions.
Social scenarios test your ability to navigate interpersonal conflicts, group dynamics, and social responsibilities. These often involve friends, family, or community situations.
You're at a party with friends when you notice one of your close friends has had too much to drink and is about to drive home. What would you do?
Workplace scenarios assess your professional judgment, leadership skills, and ability to handle organizational challenges. These often involve conflicts between colleagues, ethical dilemmas, or management decisions.
You discover that a colleague has been taking credit for your work in team meetings. Your manager is impressed with their contributions and considering them for a promotion. How do you handle this situation?
Academic scenarios test your integrity, collaboration skills, and ability to handle educational challenges. These often involve cheating, plagiarism, group work conflicts, or academic pressure.
You're working on a group project and discover that one team member has copied large portions of their contribution from an online source without proper citation. The project is due tomorrow. What do you do?
For situational questions, always use the CARE framework (Clarify, Ask, Recognize, Explore) to structure your response. This ensures you demonstrate comprehensive ethical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Learn more about how to answer situational questions effectively.
Personal questions are the second most common type of CASPer question and are designed to assess your self-awareness, values, and personal growth. These questions ask you to reflect on your experiences, beliefs, and motivations.
Unlike situational questions that focus on what you would do, personal questions focus on who you are and what you've learned from your experiences. They test your ability to reflect meaningfully and connect your personal growth to your professional aspirations.
Experience questions ask you to reflect on specific events or situations from your past. They often focus on challenges, failures, or significant learning moments.
Describe a time when you failed at something important. What did you learn from this experience?
Value questions explore your beliefs, priorities, and what matters most to you. They often ask you to rank or choose between competing values or explain your stance on important issues.
What do you think is the most important quality for a friend to have? Why?
Quote questions present you with a statement, quote, or philosophical idea and ask for your interpretation or response. These test your critical thinking and ability to engage with complex ideas.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi. What does this quote mean to you?
For personal questions, use the ARC framework (Anecdote, Reflection, Connection) to structure your response. This helps you tell a compelling story that demonstrates your growth and suitability for your chosen field. Learn more about how to answer personal questions effectively.
Other questions are less common on the CASPer test and include policy and philosophical questions. These questions test your ability to think critically about complex issues, understand systemic problems, and engage with abstract concepts.
Policy questions focus on broader systemic issues, institutional policies, or societal challenges. They often involve healthcare policy, educational reform, or social justice issues.
Philosophical questions explore abstract concepts, ethical principles, or fundamental questions about human nature and society. They require sophisticated reasoning and may not have clear "right" or "wrong" answers.
While less common than situational and personal questions, these question types assess higher-order thinking skills that are valuable in professional settings. Focus on demonstrating your reasoning process rather than arriving at definitive answers.
Our comprehensive list of practice questions includes both question types and lets you practice in a simulated CASPer environment.
Understanding the different types of CASPer questions is an important first step in your preparation. However, knowing what to expect is only part of the equation. To truly excel on the test, you'll also need to master the technical aspects of question formats and develop effective response strategies.
For detailed information about question and response formats - including the differences between text and video scenarios, timing considerations, and technical requirements - see our comprehensive CASPer Test Format guide.
To learn about response strategies, the hallmarks of best responses, and common mistakes to avoid, check out our How to Answer CASPer Questions guide. This resource covers the frameworks we've referenced throughout this article, along with practical tips for structuring your responses effectively.
Remember that the CASPer test is ultimately about demonstrating your soft skills and professional judgment. While understanding question types and formats is important, the most crucial aspect is developing your ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and demonstrate the qualities that make you suitable for your chosen profession.
