New Research Reveals Connection Between Casper and MCAT Scores

Date: 2024-08-05

Author: CasperMaster Team

Recent findings indicate a potential link between strong critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and superior performance on the Acuity Insights Casper situational judgment test (SJT).

A 2023 survey conducted by a prominent health professional student organization unveiled an intriguing connection between self-reported high Casper results (in the 4th quartile) and elevated scores on the MCAT Critical and Analytical Reasoning Skills (CARS) section.

CasperMaster, an expert in the field, expressed enthusiasm about this discovery, highlighting Casper's capacity to showcase non-academic aspects of applicants and its positive impact on leveling the playing field in admissions. By complementing academic assessments with a nuanced evaluation of personal and professional competencies early in the admissions process, Casper enables a broader range of applicants to be considered.

Evaluating Interpersonal Skills with Situational Judgment Tests

While students applying to medical or health professional schools demonstrate academic prowess through grades or content-based exams like the MCAT, medical schools and healthcare professionals also seek applicants with highly developed interpersonal skills and ethical values crucial for effective patient or community care. Situational judgment tests (SJTs) are standardized assessments that evaluate a candidate's "soft skills" essential for teamwork, adaptability, and leadership.

The Casper assessment, developed over a decade ago by professors at McMaster University, evaluates candidates on 10 competencies based on 14 situations in a two-hour computer-based test. Each scenario is judged by a calibrated, independent evaluator who assigns a score between one (poor) and nine (excellent). The combined scores produce a statistical result based on the test-taker cohort, with applicants receiving their quartile ranking after a few weeks.

Correlation Between Casper and MCAT CARS Scores

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), serves as the primary entrance examination for US and Canadian medical students. While designed to assess an applicant's foundational knowledge for medical school, it also evaluates higher-order critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section (CARS) of the MCAT consists of 53 questions based on nine non-science passages. Applicants often score lower in the CARS section compared to the other three science-based sections.

For the first time, the recent survey suggests a relationship between high performance in Casper and the MCAT CARS. This connection is particularly significant as it captures a diverse group of qualified applicants who can perform well on these tests.

Strategies for Success

The survey revealed that successful applicants invested a few hours to familiarize themselves with the technology and question format for Casper. Most relied on official resources to guide their preparation, avoiding commercially available packages from admissions counseling consultants. Many utilized free resources and online forums for simulated scenarios to craft responses.

Respondents also identified important life experiences and coursework that aided in SJT preparation. Most successful test-takers drew upon their past experiences working in diverse team environments, such as jobs, community or campus organizations, or study groups.

Call for Transparency

As situational judgment tests become increasingly prevalent in the admissions and residency selection process, survey respondents expressed a desire for greater transparency. Even among high scorers, examinees sought more information about the general rubric scheme that results in strong Casper performance to validate their preparation strategies.

Furthermore, respondents emphasized the need for programs to clearly describe how SJT scores contribute to shortlisting applicants for interviews and offers. Students generally hold a negative view of programs that require applicant SJT scores without explaining their significance in the selection process.

These findings may inspire additional research on developing specific problem-solving skills critical in healthcare and other professional disciplines. Considering alternate perspectives or approaches is rewarded in these assessments and real-life situations, highlighting the importance of professional-level critical thinking and analysis skills.