CASPer test day
CASPer Test Day: What to Expect, Step by Step
On CASPer test day you run a system check, log in about 30 minutes early and then sit a test of 65 to 85 minutes: four video scenarios, an optional break and seven typed scenarios. You do not show ID at the start, but your webcam stays on the whole time. Results reach your programs two to three weeks later, and your own quartile follows at four to five weeks.
CASPer test day at a glance
The table follows Acuity's before, during and after guide and its current format page for the standard test. Australian Teacher Education applicants sit a shorter version, covered in the during-the-test section below.
| When | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Within 6 hours of your start time | System requirements check | Run it on the same computer, browser, room and connection you will test with. |
| About 30 minutes before | Log in to your Acuity Insights account | Close other apps, turn off browser extensions and any VPN, and settle in. |
| Scheduled start | The test begins; Acuity says this can take up to 5 minutes | Wait. If it does not start, use the chat bubble in your account. |
| Video section | 4 scenarios, 2 questions each, 1 minute to record each answer | Use the optional 30-second reflection, then speak to the camera. |
| After the video section | Optional 10-minute break | Step away if you like, but be back on time. |
| Typed section | 7 scenarios, 3.5 minutes to type both answers | Answer both questions; each one is scored separately. |
| After the first 4 typed scenarios | Optional 5-minute break | Reset, then finish the last three scenarios. |
| When the test ends | Optional demographic survey; confirmation email within 24 hours | Close the window and check your inbox. |
| 2 to 3 weeks later | Results distributed to the programs you selected | Check your distribution list is correct. |
| 4 to 5 weeks later | Your quartile appears in your account | Read it against each program's own policy. |
Before you log in
Most test-day problems are setup problems. Acuity asks for a Windows or macOS desktop or laptop, an up-to-date Chrome or Firefox, a working webcam and microphone, and at least 1.5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Phones, tablets and Safari are not supported. Our CASPer system requirements guide covers each item.
Setup checklist for the hour before
- Run the system requirements check within six hours of your start time, on the same device and connection.
- Restart your computer and close everything else, including video-call apps such as Zoom.
- Turn off browser extensions such as Grammarly, and deactivate any VPN. Acuity's test-day page also says to disable firewalls and pop-up blockers.
- Prepare a quiet, private room. You must take the test alone, so tell others not to interrupt you.
- Clear your desk. Allowed: blank paper, a pen or pencil, a hard-copy dictionary, food and drink, and headphones. Not allowed: your phone, a smartwatch or other wearable, and pre-written notes.
The full item-by-item list is in our CASPer test rules guide. For clothing, Acuity has no formal dress code; see what to wear for the CASPer test.
Logging in and starting the test
Acuity asks you to log in about 30 minutes early to check your device and connection, then wait for the scheduled start. The test may take up to five minutes to begin. If it does not start, or you are running late, use the chat bubble in your account. Acuity says late entry is not guaranteed.
Under Acuity's current test rules, you do not need to show ID at the start of the test. Your webcam and microphone are used for identity verification and proctoring, so they must stay on, uncovered and facing you for the whole test, except during scheduled breaks. If you wear a face mask because local regulations require it, you will need to remove it briefly for ID photos at the start and midpoint, if it is safe to do so.
Trouble signing in is a separate problem from the test itself. Our CASPer login guide covers account access.
During the test
Video section first
The standard test opens with four video-response scenarios. After each scenario you get an optional 30-second reflection period. Then a 10-second countdown shows your role again before recording starts. Each scenario has two questions, shown one at a time, and you have one minute to record each answer.
Then the typed section
After an optional 10-minute break, you answer seven typed scenarios. Both questions appear together, and you have 3.5 minutes to type both answers. An optional 5-minute break comes after the first four typed scenarios. Acuity says you cannot switch response formats, and speech-to-text tools are not allowed without approved accommodations. Our guide to CASPer breaks and section order has more detail.
How to use the time
Acuity's preparation page gives practical advice for each scenario:
- Plan for a few seconds, then use the full time.
- Leave time for both questions, because each one is scored on its own.
- Explain why you would act, not only what you would do.
- Bullet points are fine in typed answers, and raters are told not to mark down minor spelling or grammar errors.
If you are applying to an Australian Teacher Education program, your test is shorter: two video scenarios, six typed scenarios, one 10-minute break and an estimated 45 to 65 minutes. See the Australian Teacher Education format guide.
If something goes wrong
Contact support through the chat bubble in your account as soon as a problem appears. Give specific details and keep to one conversation, because Acuity says several chats slow things down.
If a video response will not upload or submit, Acuity's troubleshooting steps, in order, are:
- Refresh the page.
- Update your browser or switch between Chrome and Firefox.
- Restart your computer.
- Try a private or incognito window.
- Test your internet speed.
- Clear your browser cache.
Our CASPer technical issues guide covers other failures and how to report a problem afterwards. If you cannot sit the test at all, read what happens if you miss CASPer and how to reschedule before deadlines pass.
After you finish
When the test ends, you can complete an optional demographic survey or simply close the window. Acuity sends a confirmation email within 24 hours. You can still add programs to your distribution list after the test; our guide to sending CASPer scores explains how.
According to Acuity's timeline, results go to your selected programs two to three weeks after the test. Your own quartile appears four to five weeks after you finish. The CASPer results timeline guide covers delays and CaRMS differences.
Behind the scenes, each question is scored on its own by trained raters who see anonymized responses. No rater scores the same applicant more than once. The ratings are averaged and then standardized against the applicant pool, which is why you receive a relative quartile rather than a percentage.
Recovering from one bad scenario
The scoring design is the practical reason to let a bad scenario go. Because no rater scores you twice, the next scenario is read by someone who has not seen your weaker answer. Replaying a fumbled response while the next timer runs is how one weak answer spills into another.
A simple reset works: take one breath, read the new role prompt fully and use the reflection period to pick the main issue. If nerves are your biggest worry, our guide to managing CASPer test anxiety has more strategies. Acuity also recommends taking its free official practice test, more than once if it helps, so the format feels familiar before test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to show ID at the start of the CASPer test?+
No. Acuity's current rules say you do not need to show ID at the start of the test. Your webcam must stay on, uncovered and facing you for the whole test, and anyone wearing a face mask must remove it briefly for ID photos at the start and midpoint, if it is safe to do so.
How early should I log in for CASPer?+
Acuity recommends logging in about 30 minutes before your scheduled time to check your device and connection. Run the system requirements check within six hours of your start time as well.
How long does CASPer take on test day?+
Acuity estimates 65 to 85 minutes in total for the standard test. Add about 30 minutes for logging in early. The Australian Teacher Education version is estimated at 45 to 65 minutes.
What if my CASPer test does not start on time?+
Acuity says the test may take up to 5 minutes to begin. If it still does not start, or you are late, contact support through the chat bubble in your account. Late entry is not guaranteed.
Sources and scope
Checked October 19, 2026 against Acuity's before, during and after guide, test-day page, test rules, format and length, scoring explanation, preparation page and video troubleshooting steps. The timeline table and reset advice are original, AI-assisted CasperCoach editorial material. CasperCoach is independent of Acuity Insights. If Acuity's instructions or a message in your account differ from this page, follow Acuity.