Casper Practice Test 2: Questions with Answers

One common type of Casper station involves Approach to Communication.

Strong communication skills are an essential cornerstone of the CASPer assessment, particularly within the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) style scenarios. CASPer is not evaluating what you do in this situation, but how you think, communicate, and respond when faced with any conflict or tense interactions. 

This section will assess your ability to: 

• Communicate respectfully and professionally
• Demonstrate emotional awareness and empathy
• Navigate conflict thoughtfully and ethically
• Intervene appropriately when situations begin to escalate

It’s important to understand that CASPer is less concerned with finding the “perfect” solution and more focused on your thought process. Examiners want to see that you can pause, reflect, and approach situations with maturity rather than jumping to conclusions or acting impulsively.

GENERAL APPROACH

One of the most common pitfalls in CASPer communication stations is making assumptions. You are often presented with limited information, and filling in the gaps with your own interpretations can negatively impact your response. Instead, your goal should be to remain open minded, gather information, and acknowledge the emotions and perspectives of everyone involved.

General advice to approaching this station: 

• Recognise and validate emotions
• Do not assume intent, motivation, or background information and clarify details where possible. 
• Actively try to understand both perspectives in a dispute
• Prioritize conflict resolution through calm and respectful dialogue
• Escalate concerns only when necessary, such as when safety is at risk or the issue is beyond your role or expertise
• Maintain a respectful and empathetic tone, acknowledging emotions even when you disagree

A helpful mindset is to think of yourself as a mediator rather than a judge. Your role is not to assign blame, but to facilitate understanding and guide the situation toward a constructive outcome.

Below are three sample communication based CASPer questions, along with model responses, to demonstrate how to effectively approach and structure your answers in a communication station

Question 1

You are a team member working on a major group project where each person is responsible for researching a different section. John, one team member, immediately begins taking control of the conversation and frequently cuts off other members of the team. He insists that his approach is the correct way to do things, and several group members appear uncomfortable and hesitant to speak up.

[Take 30 seconds to think about the scenario]

1. If you were a team member, how would you address John’s behaviour?
2. What are some strategies you can think of to improve team morale?
3. In your view, what distinguishes healthy leadership from controlling behaviour within a team?

Our Sample Responses

1. If you were a team member, how would you address John’s behaviour?

I would address John’s behaviour by having a private one-on-one conversation with him away from the rest of the team. I would begin by acknowledging his contributions and engagement in the project, as it is important to recognise his initiative. I would then ask for his perspective on the group dynamic before respectfully sharing concerns that some team members have had difficulty contributing to discussions. I would be careful not to mention any names to avoid creating additional tension or hostility. From there, I would invite John to collaborate on potential solutions, such as taking turns speaking during meetings or making a conscious effort to encourage quieter members to share their ideas.

2. What are some strategies you can think of to improve team morale?

As a group, we could implement strategies to promote balanced participation. Assigning a team leader or facilitator could help regulate discussions and ensure that each member has an opportunity to contribute. This individual could gently redirect conversations if one person begins to dominate. Additionally, incorporating brief icebreakers may help build comfort and rapport among team members, making it easier for quieter individuals to speak up. Another effective approach would be to structure discussions so that each member has a chance to share their input before moving on, ensuring all voices are heard.

3. In your view, what distinguishes healthy leadership from controlling behaviour within a team?

In my opinion, strong and healthy leadership is characterised by the ability to recognise and draw out the strengths of each team member by valuing their unique skills and perspectives. Effective leadership fosters collaboration, mutual respect, and overall team efficiency. However, leadership becomes unhealthy when one individual’s opinion consistently dominates the discussion and limits opportunities for others to contribute. While differences in personality and perspective are natural within a team, a strong leader creates space for diverse viewpoints and encourages constructive dialogue by helping team members consider alternative perspectives.

Question 2

You are leading a volunteer team for a local fundraiser. Priya, who is usually very reliable, has recently been missing all her deadlines, ignoring team meetings, and appears to be very disengaged. The local fundraiser event is in a few days, and her portion of the work is critical for the event to work. Other team members are becoming frustrated and are asking you to replace her.

1. Describe how you would communicate with the frustrated team members to ensure fairness and cohesion.
2. How would you approach this conversation with Priya? 
3. How does poor communication impact team morale, efficiency, and outcomes?

Our Sample Responses

1. Describe how you would communicate with the frustrated team members to ensure fairness and cohesion.

I would acknowledge that the team has a valid reason to feel frustrated, especially given that the fundraiser event is only days away. I would explain that while everyone has been working hard to meet the deadline, replacing Priya without first understanding her situation represents a significant escalation and may be unfair to her, particularly since she has been reliable in the past. I would encourage the concerned team members to approach Priya respectfully to ask why she has been missing deadlines and to offer support if needed. I would emphasise that the shared goal is to successfully deliver the community event, and that achieving this requires collaboration and mutual understanding rather than reactive decisions.

2. How would you approach this conversation with Priya? 

I would begin by having a private conversation with Priya to better understand her situation and explore why she appears disengaged from the workload. Given her prior reliability, I would avoid making assumptions and approach the discussion with empathy and respect, as she may be facing personal circumstances that are affecting her ability to contribute. I would clearly but respectfully communicate the importance of the upcoming deadlines and ask whether she requires any assistance to complete her assigned tasks, especially with the community event approaching. I would also offer my own support where possible to help ensure deadlines are met and to reduce stress within the team.

3. How does poor communication impact team morale, efficiency, and outcomes?

Poor communication can negatively affect a team in several ways. It can reduce morale by creating a disconnect between expectations and outcomes, leading to frustration, tension, and distrust among team members. Effective teamwork relies on trust that responsibilities will be communicated clearly and tasks will be completed as expected to maintain productivity. While missed deadlines can sometimes be unavoidable, open communication and requesting support are critical, as they prevent individuals from struggling in isolation and help preserve team efficiency. Ultimately, poor communication can undermine overall outcomes by contributing to missed deadlines, reduced work quality, and failure to achieve shared objectives.

Question 3

You planned an overseas trip with Rachael, one of your close friends, several months in advance. However, due to unexpected work obligations, you are no longer able to take time off and must work during the period of the planned trip. Rachael has been eagerly anticipating this trip for the past three months and is currently facing significant emotional challenges following a recent breakup and job loss. She is feeling depressed and would greatly benefit from going on this trip.

1. How would you approach this conversation with Rachael?
2. What are some factors to consider when breaking some bad news?
3. What is your approach to communicating bad news in a way that is thoughtful while giving the other person time and space to process the information?

Our Sample Responses

1. How would you approach this conversation with Rachael?

I would begin by having a private, in-person conversation with Rachael and empathetically explain that due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to go on our planned trip. I would then acknowledge how important this trip is to her and express that although I cannot attend, I am still there to support her during this difficult time. I would give her the opportunity to ask any questions and do my best to answer them honestly and clearly. I would also explain the situation in more detail and offer to help with cancelling any bookings including flights and accommodations, that we had arranged in advance.

2. What are some factors to consider when breaking some bad news?

There are several factors I would consider when having this conversation with Rachael. My primary concern would be her emotional well-being, as she has recently experienced both a breakup and a job loss, which are significant life stressors. I would approach the conversation with empathy and sensitivity, emphasising that while I cannot go on the trip, she is not alone and continues to have my support as a close friend. Following the conversation, I would make a conscious effort to check in with her through follow up texts or calls to ensure she is coping emotionally and mentally. Another important consideration would be the logistical implications of cancelling the trip, including existing bookings and potential financial costs. I would offer to help manage cancellations and reimburse her for any non-refundable expenses to reduce the burden on her.

3. What is your approach to communicating bad news in a way that is thoughtful while giving the other person time and space to process the information?

My approach to delivering bad news involves recognising that the recipient may feel frustrated, upset, or even betrayed. While it can be tempting to immediately try to fix the situation, sometimes individuals need time and space to process the information. I would deliver the news clearly and then allow the person to respond at their own pace. I would acknowledge any emotions they express, offer a sincere apology if I contributed to the situation, and invite them to share how they are feeling. I would also give them the opportunity to ask questions and guide the conversation based on their concerns. Ultimately, effective communication requires mutual understanding, and taking the time to appreciate the other person’s perspective is essential when navigating difficult news.

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Need Help?

For more on how to prepare for the Casper test, please see other posts in this series:

1. How to prepare for the Casper test
2. Casper Practice Test 1