So you know about Casper, but what’s with Acuity Insights? That’s right, your road to medical school acceptance just got even longer. Read on to learn more about Acuity Insights (previously Altus Suite) and its components, including Casper and Duet.
When did Casper change to Acuity Insights? What’s included, and how do you know whether or not you need to complete these additional application components? We’ll answer these questions and more.
From the Casper Test to Altus Suite to Acuity Insights
Casper stands for “Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics.” It’s a computer-based test created to evaluate your people skills, problem solving, empathy, and ethics. Casper measures who you are beyond your hard skills and exceptional grades.
Casper was developed in 2010 by Harold Reiter and Kelly Dore at McMaster University’s Program for Educational Research and Development (PERD) in Canada. It was created due to a perceived lack in the conventional medical school application’s ability to communicate an applicant’s interpersonal communication skills and empathy to an admissions committee.
There’s a lot more to being a doctor than exceptional knowledge of science. Doctors must also be able to clearly and effectively communicate with their patients, and this is something that’s difficult to measure based on someone’s MCAT score and personal statement.
Beginning with the 2022 application cycle, Casper changed to Altus Suite, with the URL changing from “takecasper.com” to “takealtus.com.”
Beginning with the 2023 cycle, Casper changed to Acuity Insights.
Casper is only one component of Acuity Insights.
For questions specifically related to the Casper test, read our comprehensive Casper Test Guide.
Understanding Acuity Insights: Casper and Duet
Acuity Insights is a multi-part assessment designed to evaluate a prospective medical student’s people skills and problem solving. Applicants now have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their personal and professional skills in both verbal and written content.
Casper is a 65-85 minute situational judgment test that evaluates 9 non-academic attributes in applicants, such as collaboration, empathy, and ethics.
Duet is a value-alignment assessment that compares what an applicant values most in a program to what the programs have to offer. Duet only applies to applicants to US medical schools and graduate medical programs.
Snapshot is another component that was phased out beginning with the 2022/2023 application cycle.
Whether or not you need to take Casper and Duet depends on each school you are applying to. Check the Acuity Insights website as well as the requirements for each specific school you are applying to in order to know exactly what’s required.
Below we’ll answer common questions about each of the different Acuity Insights components—Casper and Duet.
Common Questions About Casper
How Is the Casper Test Scored?
Casper presents you with 11 different scenarios. Each scenario is scored by a unique rater, which means that no two sections of your test will be scored by the same person. Raters are not provided with any of your personal information whatsoever.
Casper isn’t made up of right or wrong answers. Raters are given general information about the central concepts and ideas that are essential to the section, but they aren’t given any kind of answer key.
Each scenario has two questions, but sections are scored based on your overall performance. If you miss the last question, but your previous answers are comprehensive, you may not incur a penalty.
Read our guide for a complete overview of How the Casper Test Is Scored.
How Long Is the Casper Test?
The Casper test takes 65-85 minutes to complete, including two short breaks. There is a video response section and a typed response section with a total of 11 scenarios. You will be presented with either a word-based or video-based scenario followed by open-ended questions.
Where Do I Take the Casper Test?
The Casper test is taken online, so you can take it from home or from any place that’s quiet and comfortable. All you need to take the test is a computer, a reliable internet connection, up-to-date browsers, a working webcam, and a working microphone.
How Many Times Can You Take a Casper Test?
You can only take Casper once per application cycle. If your medical school application is unsuccessful, you will need to take Casper again if you choose to reapply.
For more information about Casper, read our Casper Test FAQ, which covers 19 common questions.
Common Questions About Duet
Does It Cost More to Complete Duet?
The fee to take Casper is $85 USD, which includes the distribution of results to 7 programs. An additional $18 USD is charged for each additional program you need to send your results to. The fees you pay when you reserve your Casper test cover all applicable parts, including Duet.
When Is Duet Due?
Individual programs determine their Acuity Insights requirements for their admissions process. It is recommended that you complete Duet within two weeks (14 days) of taking your Casper test, as this will ensure all of your Acuity Insights components can be viewed together by the programs you’re applying to.
If individual program requirements change, you will still be able to complete Duet anytime before your earliest program distribution deadline.
How Do I Prepare for Duet?
Duet is a measure of your own personal values and preferences, so there is no practice component. Read the instructions, the characteristics, and their descriptions carefully before moving on to the comparison pages. Once on the comparison pages, choose what feels right to you, as there is no right or wrong answer.
Before completing your Duet assessment, take some additional time to assess what you are looking for in a medical school and what matters most to you. Unsure? What locations do you prefer? How much are the tuition and fees for each school you’re considering? What financial aid opportunities are available? What are your special interests in medicine? Do you align with the school’s mission and values?
Read our guide on How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to, which includes 12 important factors to consider.
What About Snapshot?
Snapshot was a video interview consisting of three short interview-style questions designed to let schools see who you are, how you carry yourself, and how you perform under pressure. However, it was phased out before the 2023/2024 application cycle.
Learn more about Snapshot.
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