RicardoKaká Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 Hey guys, just thought I'd make a topic about the new CASPer requirement at uOttawa, so we can discuss how we feel about it or speculate how it's going to factor into the admission process.. Does anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMislove Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 I do not much care to speculate as we just do not know as applicants. But, I think it will be cool to see how it affects the average GPA, or the % of the application it makes. I even wonder on how it will be marked compared to previous years of McMaster doing the marking on their own instead of a third party. I liked doing it the second time around, and I welcome the challenge again. Only time will tell . _ _ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOCat Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Do you have any capser preparation tips/tricks since you've done it a couple times? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelsojc Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 The fact schools actually use casper is a joke...sure I get the idea behind it but the reality is people can easily cheat on this test and have somebody else write it for them. They say they are able to randomly check peoples typing strategies to screen for that but I have never heard of anybody being caught...not to mention I know several people accepted to Mac who had either a medical student by their side or even writing the test for them. For Ottawa's sake I hope it's worth a very minimal amount in the decision process.. NotASerialKiller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMislove Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Well apparently they did studies that having people with you doesn't necessarily increases your chances of getting an interview. And in the case of Mac, Mac was marking it. Now it's a third party, maybe to help with that reason because no mac student will know how the third party will mark it vs the med students who marked CASPer previously. It will probably be worth at least 10%, anything less and it would be pointless really. But it is unfortunate that some people resorted to that, obviously the integrity of those med students and the applicants is not the greatest which is too bad . Essentially be yourself. You don't really have time to make stuff up that IS NOT you. 5 minutes goes by realllllllly fast. Try to be unique, answer the question specifically, babbling on about something irrelevant won't be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stats Nerd Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 The fact that schools actually use CASPer is not a joke. GPA on its own is a poor evaluation of ones potential to be a good physician; I think CASPer is a great idea to weed out the 4.0 third years who lack maturity and critical reasoning. Grades alone are not a good representation of ones potential success as a future doctor. It is very unfortunate that some individuals cheat on this exam. I am applying to the uOttawa French stream and only have a 3.71 weighted GPA. I am worried that this is not enough, as majority of successful applicants are over a 3.80. With this being said, I am happy I can potentially compensate for my 3.71 with a stellar CASPer score. However, this is my first time writing the test and because there are a lack of practice tests in French, I am not certain on how best to prepare. Any tips on French CASPer preparation would be immensely helpful. Good luck to everyone applying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMislove Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 The fact that schools actually use CASPer is not a joke. GPA on its own is a poor evaluation of ones potential to be a good physician; I think CASPer is a great idea to weed out the 4.0 third years who lack maturity and critical reasoning. Grades alone are not a good representation of ones potential success as a future doctor. It is very unfortunate that some individuals cheat on this exam. I am applying to the uOttawa French stream and only have a 3.71 weighted GPA. I am worried that this is not enough, as majority of successful applicants are over a 3.80. With this being said, I am happy I can potentially compensate for my 3.71 with a stellar CASPer score. However, this is my first time writing the test and because there are a lack of practice tests in French, I am not certain on how best to prepare. Any tips on French CASPer preparation would be immensely helpful. Good luck to everyone applying Hmm, it would seem, from my limited knowledge of french CASPer, would be to practice watching english videos and english prompts, and just write up responses in Word, or some other document program, in french. That way you are getting your french typing skills toned, and hopefully you're thinking about the scenario in french even though the video is in english. Even looking at french news or ethical sites that are in french. That way you're not always preparing with english material and CASPer will not be a huge surprise for your brain because you've prepped in french . Stats Nerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 since we are speculating - I will say a side effect of the CASPer is that people getting into the french stream will be held to a higher standard with respect to knowing that language. It is one thing to speak french - another to write a response to a complex question on the clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelsojc Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 HankyD is it absolutely a joke. I completely agree with you on the weeding out of the 4.0 students who lack the maturity and critical reasoning skills. However, there are too many variables involved in Casper such as typing speed, which last time I checked does not correlate with any physician abilities, and most notably the amount of people who cheat on this test that in my opinion make it extremely unreliable. If this test was performed in a controlled environment (e.g. similar to the mcat or any other standard test) then my opinion would definitely change. However the fact is people cheat on this test, get away with it, and get into medical school because of it. Stats Nerd and _ _ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 HankyD is it absolutely a joke. I completely agree with you on the weeding out of the 4.0 students who lack the maturity and critical reasoning skills. However, there are too many variables involved in Casper such as typing speed, which last time I checked does not correlate with any physician abilities, and most notably the amount of people who cheat on this test that in my opinion make it extremely unreliable. If this test was performed in a controlled environment (e.g. similar to the mcat or any other standard test) then my opinion would definitely change. However the fact is people cheat on this test, get away with it, and get into medical school because of it. you know I am surprised you can write it at home - you would think like the MCAT it would be a test that would require a standardized environment to work in. never done CASPer - for those that have is cut and paste functionality possible within the application? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMislove Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 No cut and paste, the control function is completely disabled if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 No cut and paste, the control function is completely disabled if I remember correctly. hmmm ok - just trying to see if there was a way to switch to speak to text mode or something for those that aren't able to type well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoKaká Posted October 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 Yes it is unfortunate some cheat on this exam, having it in a controlled environment or if there was the ability for someone to be on Skype on the other end watching you go about the test would be better. Nevertheless, it is interesting to speculate how it is going to affect apps at uOttawa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thethirdlaw Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 I type with two fingers, I've tried to learn touch typing but it just hasn't stuck for me. Even when I write essays or papers I write by hand and then type it out after. I can basically cross 2 schools off my list now. I almost wish there was an option to record a vocal/visual response by webcam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 I type with two fingers, I've tried to learn touch typing but it just hasn't stuck for me. Even when I write essays or papers I write by hand and then type it out after. I can basically cross 2 schools off my list now. I almost wish there was an option to record a vocal/visual response by webcam. that is basically what I am concerned about - I mean typing is not a required skill to be a doctor, and really with proper voice recognition coming down the pipeline you have to wonder how much longer typing as a skill is even going to be really fully required (I suspect we will have some sort of blended system going forward with computers). Of course it is a skill that can be learned but really it is annoying that it is even a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thethirdlaw Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 that is basically what I am concerned about - I mean typing is not a required skill to be a doctor, and really with proper voice recognition coming down the pipeline you have to wonder how much longer typing as a skill is even going to be really fully required (I suspect we will have some sort of blended system going forward with computers). Of course it is a skill that can be learned but really it is annoying that it is even a factor. I agree, it sucks. Most doctors I know even use transcription services or software to dictate their clinic notes. Typing is a thing that will soon be in the past. My fault for not trying harder in grade 2 typing classes when we were in the computer lab... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I agree, it sucks. Most doctors I know even use transcription services or software to dictate their clinic notes. Typing is a thing that will soon be in the past. My fault for not trying harder in grade 2 typing classes when we were in the computer lab... yeah because what you did in grade 2 should help decide your future as a doctor I still believe that they aren't looking for great volume with their answers - I wouldn't what to over emphasize the importance of typing skill. That being said I would be surprised if some people aren't having someone that can type faster actually enter their answers. Setting up an scenario like this just encourages bad behaviour I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amichel Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I don't think cheating is that much of an issue because there's not really a way to guarantee that cheating would get you a better score. Not like a test where you could have an expert write for you. Also, while it's annoying that you have to type decently, it only really takes a few hours to learn and at this point, it's still a life skill. I feel like saying you shouldn't have to type because you can dictate is like saying kids shouldn't have to learn to print because they can type. RicardoKaká, Stats Nerd and BirdyBirdy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 I don't think cheating is that much of an issue because there's not really a way to guarantee that cheating would get you a better score. Not like a test where you could have an expert write for you. Also, while it's annoying that you have to type decently, it only really takes a few hours to learn and at this point, it's still a life skill. I feel like saying you shouldn't have to type because you can dictate is like saying kids shouldn't have to learn to print because they can type. I think typing speed will hinder you mainly if you are really slow. In my experience, the limiting factor for my answers was not knowing what to write. Not being fast enough was an issue on maybe 2-3 questions out of the what...36 that they have? Just be able to type regularly and you will be fine. Don't be dissuaded because you think you need to be a superstar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 The fact schools actually use casper is a joke...sure I get the idea behind it but the reality is people can easily cheat on this test and have somebody else write it for them. They say they are able to randomly check peoples typing strategies to screen for that but I have never heard of anybody being caught...not to mention I know several people accepted to Mac who had either a medical student by their side or even writing the test for them. For Ottawa's sake I hope it's worth a very minimal amount in the decision process.. You can cheat on autobiographical sketches and essays too. You can make up activities and make up verifiers. You can lie about hours on activities. You can exaggerate their descriptions in the sketch. You can have your admission essays totally revamped to the point where they don't even reflect you anymore. Possibility of cheating is not a problem unique to casper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 hmmm ok - just trying to see if there was a way to switch to speak to text mode or something for those that aren't able to type well. It's not allowed. They like to keep it standardized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organomegaly Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 you know I am surprised you can write it at home - you would think like the MCAT it would be a test that would require a standardized environment to work in. never done CASPer - for those that have is cut and paste functionality possible within the application? Expensive comes to mind. RicardoKaká and _ _ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoKaká Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 This waiting game is so stressful and tiresome... I should have booked my CASPer for the 18th -.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Expensive comes to mind. sure - I mean standardization is costly and that is an annoying factor. It just seems odd though that we have a part of the system that isn't truly verifiable. Probably the only part actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stats Nerd Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Anybody know of any actual French CASPer practice tests? I've been reading a lot in French, and will begin typing answers to questions in French…but it would be nice to actually practice. Of those of you who wrote the test on October 18th, how was it? (I am writing on the 29th) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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