Practice workbook
CASPer Problem-Solving Questions: 5 Scenarios With Answers
CASPer problem-solving questions put you in an everyday situation with a constraint, such as too little time, money, people or information, and ask what you would do. A strong answer names the real problem, compares a few workable options, picks one and explains why. Below are five original practice scenarios with weak and sample answers, plus a review checklist.
What CASPer problem-solving questions test
Acuity describes CASPer as measuring interpersonal and professional competencies, and its program-use article names problem-solving alongside communication, ethical judgment, empathy and collaboration. You will not see a question labelled “problem-solving”. It shows up inside ordinary scenarios: a schedule that falls apart, a budget that does not add up or two instructions that conflict.
According to Acuity's scoring explanation, raters look at the substance of your response to judge your thought process, judgment and communication. Each question is scored on its own. So a rater cannot reward a good plan you only had in your head; the reasoning has to be on the page or in your video. For the full list of qualities and how they fit together, see what CASPer actually scores.
A four-step method for problem-solving answers
You have 3.5 minutes for two typed questions, so the method must be short enough to use under time pressure.
- Name the real problem. Separate the fixed constraint (a safety rule, a deadline) from assumptions (“fewer tutors means no session”).
- Offer a few options. Two or three realistic choices show you looked beyond the first idea.
- Choose and justify. Pick one and say why, often because it works within the limits or is easiest to undo.
- Add a fallback or follow-up. Say what you would do if it fails, or how you would prevent a repeat.
Problem-solving scenarios still involve people. A plan that ignores who is affected or how they feel will read as cold, so pair the method with the habits in our CASPer answer structure guide.
1. Two commitments land on the same evening
Original practice prompt
You coordinate volunteers for a weekly homework club at a library. Tonight, two of the four tutors cancel an hour before the session. Twelve students usually attend, and several have a test tomorrow. The library requires at least two adults in the room, and the branch closes at the normal time.
- What would you do in the next hour, and why?
- How would you reduce the chance of this happening again?
Compare sample answers for 1. two commitments land on the same evening
A response to improve
I would cancel the session because there are not enough tutors. It is not fair to give students a worse session.
Stronger sample answers
Question 1: I would first confirm the fixed constraint: with two tutors left we still meet the two-adult rule, so the session can run. Next, I would message families that the session is on but smaller, so they can plan. I would ask the students with tomorrow's test to sit together for focused review and pair the others for shared practice on similar topics, with tutors rotating. I would also try the volunteer list for a late replacement, but I would not delay the session waiting for one. Cancelling helps no one when a reduced session is still safe and useful.
Question 2: I would ask tutors to confirm availability a day earlier and keep a short standby list of volunteers willing to help at short notice. I would also write a simple reduced-staff plan, such as grouping by subject, so the next coordinator is not improvising. After a few weeks, I would check whether cancellations cluster on certain dates, such as exams, and plan coverage around them.
Why this reasoning is stronger
The sample separates the real constraint (two adults) from the assumption that fewer tutors means no session. It chooses an action that works within the limits and adds a fallback without depending on it.
Another defensible position: With one adult, the rule decides the question: the session cannot run as planned. The useful work shifts to telling families quickly, asking whether library staff can act as the second adult, and offering the test-takers a quick way to get help, such as a shared review sheet.
Change one fact: Only one tutor remains, so the two-adult rule cannot be met. What changes about your first step?
2. A student event is over budget
Original practice prompt
You are treasurer of a student club planning an end-of-year event. The confirmed costs are now 30% over the budget because the venue raised its price. The event is in three weeks. Some members want to charge a ticket fee, while others say a fee would exclude members who cannot afford it.
- How would you approach the budget problem?
- How would you make a decision if members still disagree after discussing it?
Compare sample answers for 2. a student event is over budget
A response to improve
I would just charge everyone a fee. It is the fastest way to cover costs, and people who really want to come will pay.
Stronger sample answers
Question 1: I would start by finding out where the gap actually is: confirm the venue's new price in writing and see whether any other costs can move. Then I would lay out a few options side by side, such as negotiating with the venue, choosing a cheaper venue, trimming food or decorations, seeking a small sponsor, or a pay-what-you-can ticket with free tickets available on request. For each, I would note the cost saved and who it affects. Presenting the trade-offs makes the decision clearer than arguing for one fix.
Question 2: I would bring the options to members with their costs and effects and ask what matters most, such as keeping the event open to everyone. If there is still disagreement, I would follow the club's decision process, likely a vote by the executive or members, and choose an option that does not shut anyone out on cost alone. After the decision, I would explain the reasoning to everyone, including the people who preferred another option.
Why this reasoning is stronger
Problem-solving here means turning a fight between two positions into a set of options with consequences. The answer protects access without pretending money is unlimited.
Change one fact: The venue says the higher price is final and no other venue is available. What becomes your main lever?
3. Instructions conflict and the supervisor is away
Original practice prompt
You work at a garden centre. Your supervisor left a note telling you to move all seedlings outside before noon. A coworker says the head gardener told them this morning to keep the seedlings inside because frost is forecast tonight. Neither the supervisor nor the head gardener is answering their phone.
- What would you do, and why?
- What would you say to your supervisor when they return?
Compare sample answers for 3. instructions conflict and the supervisor is away
A response to improve
I would follow my supervisor's note because they are my boss. If the plants die, it will not be my fault.
Stronger sample answers
Question 1: I would recognize that the two instructions probably came from different information: the note may have been written before the frost forecast. I would check the forecast myself and look for any written guidance on frost. Because moving seedlings outside risks losing them, while waiting a few hours is easily reversible, I would keep them inside for now and keep trying to reach both people. If the store manager or another senior person is on site, I would ask them to decide.
Question 2: I would explain what happened in a factual way: the two instructions, what I checked, what I chose and why. I would not blame my coworker or the head gardener. I would ask how they want conflicting instructions handled in future, for example who has the final say on plant care, so the next person is not stuck in the same place.
Why this reasoning is stronger
The strongest move is to compare the cost of each mistake. When one option is reversible and the other is not, choose the reversible one while you gather information.
Change one fact: The forecast shows no frost at all. Would you still wait, or move the seedlings outside?
4. A shared tool keeps failing your team
Original practice prompt
Your team of five uses a shared online document to track a research project. Twice this month, someone accidentally deleted another person's section, and work was lost. Two members want to stop using shared documents and email files instead. The project is due in five weeks.
- How would you solve the problem with the team?
- How would you respond to the members who want to switch to email?
Compare sample answers for 4. a shared tool keeps failing your team
A response to improve
I would tell people to be more careful. The tool is fine; people just need to pay attention.
Stronger sample answers
Question 1: I would first find out how the deletions happened, without blaming anyone: were people editing the same section, or working from an old copy? Then I would suggest a few fixes that address the cause, such as giving each person their own section, turning on version history and showing everyone how to restore a section, and agreeing that only the section owner edits it. I would try the changes for a week and check whether the problem stops.
Question 2: I would take their concern seriously, because losing work twice is frustrating. I would explain that emailing files may create a different problem, such as several versions of the same document. I would ask whether they would try the safeguards for a week and agree that if work is lost again, we will reconsider the tool together.
Why this reasoning is stronger
The sample diagnoses the cause before choosing a fix, and treats the concerned members as partners rather than obstacles. A short trial with a review point keeps the decision reversible.
Change one fact: One member admits they deleted the sections because they did not know how version history worked. How does that change your approach?
5. Too many people need a limited resource
Original practice prompt
You help run a free community workshop on filing taxes. Forty people have registered, but the room holds twenty-five and only three volunteers can help with individual questions. The workshop is next week and cannot be moved to a larger room.
- What would you do to make the workshop work?
- How would you decide who gets help if demand still exceeds capacity on the day?
Compare sample answers for 5. too many people need a limited resource
A response to improve
I would keep the first twenty-five people and tell the rest to come next time. First come, first served is fair.
Stronger sample answers
Question 1: I would look for ways to serve more people instead of only cutting the list. For example, I could split the workshop into two sessions on the same day, offer a short group presentation for common questions and save individual help for complex cases, or record the presentation for people who cannot get a seat. I would contact registrants early so they can choose a session and nobody arrives to a full room.
Question 2: I would set a clear, fair rule before the day and share it with everyone, such as booked time slots for individual help. If people with urgent deadlines or complex situations need priority, I would say so openly rather than deciding case by case at the door. I would also give everyone who cannot be seen a written list of reliable free resources so they leave with a next step.
Why this reasoning is stronger
The strong answer expands capacity before rationing it, then rations transparently. A rule set in advance is fairer and less stressful than one made under pressure at the door.
Change one fact: A registrant tells you their filing deadline is tomorrow. How would your priority rule handle that request?
Review your answers like a rater would
Give yourself 3.5 minutes for both questions in each scenario, matching the typed-response time in Acuity's format guide. Write your answers before you open the samples. These are untimed written drills on this page, not an official simulation.
- Did I state the real constraint, or did I accept the first assumption?
- Did I compare at least two options?
- Did I say why I chose one, not just what I chose?
- Is my first step something I could actually do in the situation?
- Did I include a fallback or a way to prevent a repeat?
- Did I consider the people affected, not only the logistics?
Pick one weakness and rewrite only that part. Our guide to reviewing practice answers walks through a full revision. Then try a mixed practice test where the scenario does not tell you which skill it targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CASPer test problem-solving?+
Yes. Acuity lists problem-solving among the interpersonal and professional competencies CASPer is designed to measure. It appears inside everyday scenarios rather than as a separate labelled section.
Is there one right answer to a CASPer problem-solving question?+
Usually not. Raters assess your thought process, judgment and communication. A reasonable choice that is clearly explained and accounts for the people involved is stronger than a perfect-sounding plan with no reasoning.
How many options should I give in a CASPer answer?+
Two or three is usually enough. You have about 3.5 minutes for two typed questions, so name a few realistic choices, pick one and explain why rather than listing every possibility.
Are these real CASPer questions?+
No. All five scenarios are original practice material written for this guide. They are not official or recalled test content, and the sample answers are not rated responses.
Sources and scope
Checked October 21, 2026 against Acuity's program-use article, scoring explanation, format guide and preparation page. All scenarios, sample answers and review prompts are original AI-assisted CasperCoach editorial material, not official or recalled test content, and they cannot predict your quartile. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights, which does not endorse third-party preparation.