CASPer rules
Can You Cheat on CASPer? What Gets Flagged and What Happens
Don't try: CASPer bans outside help, and the risk falls on your whole application. Acuity's terms allow keystroke, audio and webcam monitoring, and its conduct guidelines list what can get footage reviewed. A confirmed violation can mean a red flag sent to your programs, a cancelled score and a block from future testing. If you are honest and only worried about being flagged by accident, the practical steps are below.
How Acuity monitors CASPer
Section 11 of Acuity's Terms of Use says it may remotely monitor your test, and that this may include keystroke, audio and visual proctoring through your webcam and microphone. Access to those devices is mandatory. The test rules add that your webcam and microphone must stay on for the whole test and your face must be visible, except during scheduled breaks.
Acuity does not publish how its detection works, how often footage is reviewed or how many tests are flagged. Be wary of any website that claims to know, or that says a particular shortcut is safe.
What is prohibited during CASPer
Acuity's test conduct guidelines, dated April 30, 2026, say these behaviours will result in a review and a red flag:
- Technology: more than one monitor, a mobile phone at any time, AI tools such as ChatGPT, unapproved speech-to-text or text-to-speech software, external keyboards, tablets, smartwatches or other devices, unauthorised applications, and recording, screenshotting or copying test content.
- Help from others: assistance in person or remotely, communicating with anyone, having another person in the room, reading from scripts or pre-prepared responses, and unauthorised aids.
- Your environment: leaving your seat or moving out of camera view, covering the camera, phones or other devices on your desk or close to you, and abusive communication with staff.
- Your identity: false identification, someone else taking the test for you, multiple accounts to gain extra attempts, and attempting a prohibited retake.
The terms are especially direct about AI: its use in any form while completing the test is strictly prohibited. Using AI to prepare before test day is a separate question, covered in our guide. What you may keep on your desk, including blank paper, a pen and a hard-copy dictionary, is in our CASPer test rules guide.
Sharing scenarios counts too. The terms list disclosing test content, publicly or privately, among the reasons Acuity may block you or withhold your results.
What may trigger a review
The same guidelines list a second group of signs that may get a test flagged for investigation and its footage reviewed:
- Appearing to read from a script, or frequently looking off-screen.
- Repeated glancing in one direction, or pauses followed by unusually polished responses.
- Talking or reacting to someone off camera, or evidence of an earpiece.
- Reflections showing other screens, or sounds and notifications suggesting another device.
- Unusual typing patterns, copy-paste behaviour or unusual response timing.
- Changes in lighting or camera angle, someone entering the room, or background conversation.
Acuity's wording matters here. These signs “may” lead to a flag and a footage review. The guidelines do not say that any one of them proves cheating.
What happens after a violation
Acuity's guidelines and terms describe these possible outcomes. Acuity decides which ones apply.
| Where it lands | What can happen | Source |
|---|---|---|
| During the test | Acuity may stop your test or cancel your reservation if monitoring shows you broke the terms. | Terms, section 11 |
| On your record | A test violation, called a red flag, may be placed on your record. | Conduct guidelines |
| Your programs | Acuity may share red flags and other suspected breaches with your programs. For detected AI use, the terms say all applicable programs will be notified. | Terms, section 11 |
| Your score | Your score may be cancelled or withheld, so programs may not receive it. | Conduct guidelines |
| Future testing | Depending on severity, a block can last for the rest of the cycle, up to five years, or permanently. | Terms, section 12 |
Section 12 of the terms says these decisions follow a Breach Review Policy and Process, available on request, and are final and non-appealable. Our guide on appealing a CASPer score covers the other limits on challenging a result.
If you are worried about a false flag
Most applicants asking this are not planning to cheat. They are worried that looking away to think will count against them. Acuity has not published a safe limit, so we will not invent one. These steps follow its rules:
- Remove what could look like a second device. Keep phones and smartwatches off your desk and away from you, and turn off notifications. Use one screen and close other apps.
- Secure the room. Tell others not to interrupt you. You must take the test alone.
- Keep your face in frame. Stay seated with your camera uncovered until a scheduled break. Look at the camera during video responses.
- Check any unusual setup first. The guidelines list external keyboards as prohibited, while the rules allow an external webcam and microphone. If you normally use a docked laptop, ask Acuity support before test day.
- Write your own words in the moment. Don't paste answers or read from a prepared script. Blank paper for notes during the test is allowed.
- Use your breaks for personal needs. Acuity says you may leave the room, check your phone or talk to someone during optional breaks. The timer keeps running, and you take a webcam photo after the second break.
- Report disruptions as they happen. If someone walks in or something else unexpected happens, contact support through the chat immediately. Acuity says it can pause your test and assess the situation.
Approved accommodations are different. If you have been approved for a tool such as speech-to-text, that approval is what allows it. See our CASPer accommodations guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cheat on the CASPer test?+
You should not try. Acuity prohibits outside help and may monitor the test by keystroke, audio and webcam. A violation can lead to a red flag shared with your programs, a cancelled or withheld score, and a block from future testing.
Can CASPer detect ChatGPT?+
Acuity does not publish how it detects AI use. Its terms say AI in any form while completing the test is strictly prohibited, and any detected use is a red flag that will be reported to all applicable programs. Its guidelines list copy-paste behaviour and unusually polished responses after pauses as signs that may trigger a review.
Will I be flagged for looking away from the screen during CASPer?+
Possibly reviewed, but not automatically penalised as far as Acuity's published wording goes. Its guidelines say frequently looking off-screen may lead to a flag and a footage review. Acuity has not published a safe limit, so keep your workspace clear and stay in camera view.
What is a CASPer red flag?+
It is Acuity's term for a test violation or an inappropriate or unusual interaction, response or video image. It may be placed on your record and sent to the programs on your distribution list.
Can you appeal a CASPer red flag?+
Acuity's terms say decisions made under its Breach Review Policy and Process are final and non-appealable. The terms say a copy of that policy is available on request.
Can I use my phone during a CASPer break?+
Yes. Acuity says you may check your phone, talk to someone or leave the room during an optional break. Phone use during the test itself is prohibited, and the timer keeps running during breaks.
Sources and scope
Checked October 30, 2026 against Acuity's test conduct guidelines, Terms of Use (sections 11 and 12), test rules, optional breaks article and technical issues article. The false-flag checklist is original, AI-assisted CasperCoach editorial material based on those pages. It does not guarantee how Acuity will treat any test. This page is general information and not legal advice. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights. If Acuity's instructions differ from this page, follow Acuity.