Casper Test

Admission Requirement: Casper Test

All applicants applying to the Bachelor of Education program at the University of Alberta are required to complete the Casper test as part of their application for the 2023/2024 admission cycle.

The Casper test is a 100-120 minute online, open-response situational judgment test. The Casper test is a standardized 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. The Casper test will complement the other factors that we use for applicant review and evaluation.

Important Notes for Applicants:

  • Accommodations: If you require testing accommodations for the Casper test, 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. You can find the request form and more information on Altus Suites accommodation procedures and policy at https://takealtus.com/faq/ under the Accommodations section on that webpage.
  • The earlier your Casper scores are submitted, the earlier the U of A can make an admission decision on your application. We recommend applying as early as possible for admission and taking the Casper test on the earliest scheduled date possible.
  • Note that Casper test times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
  • The testing dates available for your Casper test are those listed on the TakeAltus.com website. There will be no additional tests scheduled.
  • You may only take the Casper test once per admission cycle. Casper test results are valid for one admissions cycle, so applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.
  • The Casper test is one part of a suite of tests offered through Altus Assessments. Please note that Snapshot or other components of the Altus Suite of tests, other than Casper, are not required to apply to our program.

There are two different Casper tests available to take for Education Programs, one for Direct-Entry/Transfer applicants ("Bachelor of Education") and one for After Degree applicants ("Bachelor of Education, After Degree"). You must select the appropriate test for the specific program you are applying to.

If you have any questions about the Casper test or run into difficulties with the test, please contact support@altus.as

Casper FAQs

How do I sign up for the Casper test?
  1. Go to www.TakeAltus.com to sign up for Altus Suite for Canadian Teacher's Education and register using a piece of government-issued photo ID. To select the correct program choose Canada for the country and English for the language (applicants applying to Canadian programs MUST take the Altus Suite test in the language of the program you are applying to). Then select Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Education - After Degree (if you will present a degree upon admission). From there select the University of Alberta to view the available test dates for your specific test. When reserving your test date, be sure to reference the test code for the program you are applying for:
    • choose Bachelor of Education test code: CSP-10209 – Canadian Teacher’s Education) if you are a direct entry or transfer applicant 
    • choose Bachelor of Education - After Degree (test code: CSP-20209 Canadian Teacher's Education, After Degree) if you are applying to the after-degree program.
  2. Select a Casper test date. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Note that Casper test times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your Casper test. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you 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.
    Current Casper Test Dates for Fall 2023 Admission:
    • Bachelor of Education (test code: CSP-10209 – Canadian Teacher’s Education - this is the test for direct entry/transfer applicants)
      • Nov 3, 2022 - 8:00 PM EST
      • Dec 6, 2022 - 8:00 PM EST
      • Jan 8, 2023 - 1:00 PM EST
      • Feb 5, 2023 - 1:00 PM EST
      • Mar 7, 2023 - 8:00 PM EST
    • Bachelor of Education, After Degree (test code: CSP-20209 – Canadian Teacher’s Education, After Degree - this is the test for after-degree applicants)
      • Nov 3, 2022 - 5:00 PM EST
      • Dec 4, 2022 - 1:00 PM EST
      • Jan 8, 2023 - 1:00 PM EST
      • Feb 2, 2023 - 8:00 PM EST
      • Mar 9, 2023 - 8:00 PM EST
  3. Ensure that you have selected either University of Alberta Bachelor of Education (for direct-entry/transfer applicants) or Bachelor of Education, After Degree 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. 
  4. Please direct any inquiries about the Casper test 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. 
When do I sign up for the Casper test?

We recommend that you sign up to take the Casper test as soon as possible! You may complete the Casper test before or after you submit your application to the Bachelor of Education. The earlier you submit your application AND complete your Casper test, the earlier we can evaluate your application for admission!

Be sure to reserve your Casper test at least 3 days in advance of your desired test date to allow for identity verification and payment processing timelines. Last-minute bookings are not recommended. If you require testing accommodations, you must submit all necessary forms and supporting documentation 3 weeks prior to the time of your scheduled test.

What do I need to complete the Casper test?

In order to take the Casper test, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and audio capabilities. You will require the following for both account creation AND completing the test:

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)
  • Desktop or laptop computer
  • Working webcam
  • Working microphone
  • Reliable high-speed internet connection
  • Chrome or Firefox Browser
What if I need accommodations?

Closed captioning is available on all Casper tests and does not require a request. If you require testing accommodations for the Casper test, 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. Any questions about accommodations can be sent to support@altus.as.

What is the Casper test comprised of?

The Casper test is divided into 2 sections. The first is the typed response section. In this section, you will be presented with 3 word-based scenarios and 6 video-based scenarios. The second section is the video response section. Here, you will be presented with 2 word-based scenarios and 4 video-based scenarios.

The test is made up of 15 scenarios. Each scenario contains three open-ended questions. Test takers have 5 minutes to type their responses to all three questions in the typed response section and 1 minute to video-record their responses to each of the 3 questions in the video response section.

How long does the Casper test take to complete?

The test is 100-120 minutes in length. Casper progresses from one scenario to the next automatically. It typically takes 100-120 minutes to complete the whole test. We provide an optional 5 minute break half-way through the typed response section and an optional 10-minute break before the video response section.

Please aim to log in to your Altus Suite account approximately thirty minutes before your scheduled test time and ensure your computer, webcam, and internet connection are in working order for your test.

How is the Casper test graded?

Each response is graded by a different Casper rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. Applicant quartile delivery is four weeks from writing. You receive the scores after two weeks, and two weeks later, the quartile report is delivered into your account.

Do I need to study for the Casper test?
We strongly urge you to complete the Casper practice test and familiarize yourself with the test structure at https://takealtus.com/test-prep/. We recommend that you plan ahead and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test. As well, to familiarize yourself with the testing format please complete the System Requirements Check and the Sample Test which can be found on your Altus Suite/Casper account home page. This advanced preparation will not only immerse you in the test environment, but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test.
I am applying to a 5-year combined degree. Do I need to take the Casper test?
Currently, we do not require our 5-year combined degree applicants to take the Casper test. This is because you would be applying to our partner faculty for admission and will need to meet their admission requirements.
Will I find out the score of my Casper test?
You will receive a score range of where you fall. You will receive this 2 weeks after you write your Casper test!
Do I need to arrange to have my Casper test results sent to the University of Alberta?
No! Casper scores are automatically sent to us on your behalf.
Which parts of Altus Suite do I need to complete?

Applicants to our Bachelor of Education programs only require Casper. To confirm, Snapshot and Duet are not required as part of the application process for our programs.