Preparation for the test should start well in advance, and follow similar principles to revision for any other exam or aptitude test. This guide provides an overview of how to prepare for the CASPer – but you will do best if you reflect on your own learning style and how you have prepared for previous tests.
Be aware of ethics as applied to healthcare
You should have a good working awareness of the ethical principles that you will need to follow. Read around the subject, and practice applying the pillars of autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence to different scenarios. Whilst the CASPer is designed to test soft skills rather than the amount of learning that you have done, or your ability to discuss theoretical and ethical concepts, you will be able to give a better impression to the examiner through the correct deployment of the main ethical principles.
Give yourself adequate time to prepare
As the CASPer’s purpose is to test your soft skills and the behaviours that you show, you should give yourself enough time to develop those skills and behaviours. You will need to learn certain ways of approaching questions, and ideally have these approaches become second nature to you – so that under the stress of the exam itself you are able to answer easily. You should give yourself at least 2 months to prepare, and work solidly throughout.