Getting Ready to Write the CASPer Test: High-Yield Tips
Lecture by Jim Luca (aka Dr. Calcagno)
Overview
- Focus: Tips for CASPer test preparation (written and verbal parts)
- Goal: Provide high-yield tips to help students perform well on the CASPer exam
Tip #1: Banking Time
- Relevance: Useful for written parts of the test
- Concept: Effective time management
- 3 questions per question stem, 5 minutes total
- Allocate time: 2 mins for Q1, 2 mins for Q2, 1 min for Q3
- If stuck on Q1 after 2 mins, move to Q2
- Bank time if you finish early and use it for subsequent questions
Tip #2: Pre-remembered Experiences
- Relevance: Written part of the exam
- Concept: Pre-plan personal experiences to use in answers
- Less time wasted thinking of experiences during the test
- High-Yield Experiences to Prepare:
- A time you failed
- Your biggest personal success
- A time you gave feedback
- Receiving criticism
- Demonstrating resiliency
- Helping implement change
- Advice: Choose experiences tactfully, avoid casting yourself in a bad light
Tip #3: Pay Attention to Mannerisms
- Relevance: Video component of the test
- Concept: Improve non-verbal communication
- Practice avoiding filler words (e.g., um, hmm)
- Watch body language (hand movements, swaying, eye contact)
- Maintain professional demeanor
Tip #4: Recreate Test Conditions
- Relevance: Video component of the test
- Concept: State-dependent learning
- Practicing in a similar environment to test conditions enhances recall
- Choose a quiet, distraction-free spot with good Wi-Fi
Tip #5: Work on Typing Speed
- Relevance: Both written components
- Concept: Increase efficiency in conveying thoughts
- Higher words per minute help articulate more in given time
- Use tools like Casper Booster typing generator
Tip #6: Avoid Focusing on Previous Questions
- Relevance: Both written and video components
- Concept: Maintain forward focus
- Anxiety about past questions can affect future performance
- Each question is independent; don't dwell on past mistakes
Conclusion
- Next Video: Worked example of a CASPer question