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Here's What You Need to Know about CASPer and Altus Suite
The CASPer assessment is a situational judgment test that offers insights into an
applicant's non-academic attributes and people skills. Several TMDSAS member institutions have required CASPer for several years now, but starting in EY2022, CASPer is now
part of the 3-part Altus Suite.
Starting in EY2022, some participating schools may require the CASPer, Duet, and/or
Snapshot as part of the Altus Suite. These are available for the same cost as the
base CASPer exam.
Here's what this means for you:
Altus Suite is a standardized, three-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Altus Suite, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
How to Complete Altus Suite
In order to take Altus Suite, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities.In order to take Altus Suite, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop
computer with webcam and audio capabilities. You will require the following for both account
creation and completing Altus Suite:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)
- Working webcam
- Working microphone
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- Please go to www.TakeAltus.com to sign up for Altus Suite for Medicine
(CSP-10111 - U.S. Medicine), under your specific country, and register using your <student identifier> and a piece of government-issued photo ID. - Select a Casper test date. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your Casper test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application; there may be updates to the test schedule.
- Important: To account for identity verification and payment processing timeline, ensure that you register for your test at least 3 days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.
- Ensure you have selected <Insert program name> for distribution before the posted Distribution Deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up to date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times on TakeAltus.com.
- You may complete Snapshot and Duet any time after you have registered for your Casper test at www.TakeAltus.com and up to 10 days after completing your Casper test. After 10 days, you will no longer have access to Snapshot or Duet and your Altus Suite will be deemed incomplete.
- Please direct any inquiries on Altus Suite to support@altus.as. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the TakeAltus.com website.
Accommodations
More information regarding accommodations.If you require testing accommodations for Altus Suite you will need to submit the Accommodations Request Form signed by you and your qualified professional 3 weeks in advance of your desired test date. More information regarding accommodations can be found here.
Cost
Cost for Altus Suite assessmentsThe cost for the Altus Suite assessments application is set by application type (currently
only medical and veterinary applicants at TMDSAS may require CASPer).
For medical programs (test code CSP 10111), cost of Altus Suite is $12 base test fees plus $12 distribution fee for each program selected.
For veterinary schools, the testing cohort is US Professional Health Science (test code CSP 10101) and the Altus Suite components are just Casper + Snapshot. The cost for taking Altus Suite for Vet Science is $40 base test fees and a distribution fee of $12 per program.
For medical programs (test code CSP 10111), cost of Altus Suite is $12 base test fees plus $12 distribution fee for each program selected.
For veterinary schools, the testing cohort is US Professional Health Science (test code CSP 10101) and the Altus Suite components are just Casper + Snapshot. The cost for taking Altus Suite for Vet Science is $40 base test fees and a distribution fee of $12 per program.
Casper results are only valid for a single admissions cycle, and only for the test type (American Health Sciences, Canadian Health Sciences, etc.) for which you have taken the test. You will need to take a separate Casper test for future admissions cycles or different program types, including for programs offered in different countries or languages. Applicants are not permitted to take a Casper test type more than once per admissions cycle.
You will be prompted to make a payment when reserving your Casper test.
Please note that the fee applies to ALL assessment components within Altus Suite (Casper,
Snapshot, and Duet). There are no additional charges to take Snapshot or Duet. All
fees are final, non-refundable, and valid only for the then-current admissions cycle.
TMDSAS Member Institutions Requiring CASPer
Medical Schools Requiring CASPer
Baylor College of Medicine
-
All BCM applicants to the Medical School and Medical Scientist Training Program are required to complete an online situational judgment test called CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics). A CASPer score is required in order to be considered for an interview. We do not require Duet or Snapshot.
John Sealy School of Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- All applicants applying to the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston should complete both the CASPer and Duet assessments via the Altus Suite. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility for screening. Duet is a pilot and only strongly encouraged. Applicants will not be penalized if they choose not to complete it.
Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio
- All applicants applying to the Long School of Medicine should complete both the CASPer and Duet assessments via the Altus Suite. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. Duet is a pilot and only strongly encouraged. Applicants will not be penalized if they choose not to complete it.
McGovern Medical School
- A CASPer test score is required in order to be considered for an interview. This school does not require Duet or Snapshot.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- All applicants applying to Sam Houston State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) should complete all the Acuity Insights assessments (CASPer and Duet). CASPer and Duet are mandatory in order to move forward in the admissions process.
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
- All applicants applying to the College of Medicine at Texas A&M University are required to complete CASPer and Duet from the Altus Suite as part of their application. The College of Medicine is piloting Duet to determine how the additional information will assist us further in our review and selection of applicants.
Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine
- Applicants to TTUHSC School of Medicine are only required to complete the Casper test.
- Visit TTUHSC SOM website for more info.
Texas Tech University HSC, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
- All applicants to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of a current CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility and scores must be received before being considered for an interview.
- CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine will not require Snapshot nor Duet.
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- This school requires that the Casper score be reported/on file by an applicant’s interview date.
- This school does not require Duet or Snapshot. Applicants are only required to complete Casper from the Altus Suite for application to UT Southwestern Medical School.
- For more information, visit: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/admissions/casper-information.html
The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
- UT Tyler SOM requires applicants to complete CASPer and Duet from the Altus Suite.
Veterinary Schools Requiring CASPer
Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences requires the CASPer situational judgment test for the Fall 2024 Admissions Cycle. The last day to register for a CASPer assessment exam is August 22, 2024. The last day to complete the CASPer Assessment is August 27, 2024. The deadline to submit the CASPer is August 30, 2024.
Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
- Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine no longer requires the CASPer situational judgment test.
Altus Suite consists of:
- Casper: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)
- Snapshot: a 10-minute one-way interview with standardized questions
- Duet: a 15-minute value-alignment assessment
About Casper
The Casper test comprises 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. The test typically takes between 75-90 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at TakeAltus.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test. We strongly urge you to take advantage of the 12-section practice test, which will not only immerse you in the test environment, but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test.
Casper test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.
For a more detailed look at the Casper test, please see this video.
About Snapshot
Snapshot is a one-way video interview tool that takes 10-15 minutes to complete. It is used to help programs get to know their applicants better by assessing verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as motivation for the profession. Snapshot includes 2 mandatory practice questions to allow applicants to get familiar with the format and to test their audio and video capabilities. After they complete the practice portion, they will move on to record responses to 3 standardized interview-style questions. Applicants have 2 minutes to record each response. They will have time to read and consider each question during a 30-second reflection period before they begin recording. All recorded responses will be submitted to the program for review.
About Duet
Duet is a 15-minute value-alignment assessment that takes input from both our program and our applicants to determine their relative alignment based on program values and priorities. Duet was piloted with GME programs in 2020, and programs found it valuable in providing additional data to highlight applicants whose values and priorities align well with their own.
What is a pilot? Pilots are common in education (i.e., K-12, post-secondary institutions) to introduce a new assessment, course, program, or curriculum. Data collected through the Duet for UME pilot through applicants’ will contribute to research to ensure the feasibility, acceptability and validity of the Duet assessment in future admissions cycles.
For more information on Duet, access www.TakeAltus.com.
About the author: The Texas Health Education Service amplifies TMDSAS and JAMP’s missions to serve students, collegiate advisors, and professional schools in Texas by providing students with accurate educational resources to enhance their preparation for a career in the health professions, and supporting efforts by advisors and professional schools to reach students and enrich the applicant pool.
Inside Health Education
TMDSAS Member Institutions that Require CASPer
Want to learn about how some the schools use CASPer?
How Long SOM Uses CASPer
Ready to register or have more questions about CASPer, Duet, or Snapshot?
Visit Altus Assessments
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