Acuity doesn't publish a minimum typing speed for Casper, and we didn't find one on its applicant pages. What it does set is the clock: in the typed section you get 3.5 minutes to answer both questions of a scenario, and 7 of the 11 scenarios on the current test are typed. So the useful question is not "how fast should I type" but "how much can I say in 3.5 minutes, and is it enough".

What Acuity says about the typed section

From Acuity's Casper Prep page and its help article on how Casper is scored:

The typed section has 7 scenarios with 2 open-ended questions each, and you have 3.5 minutes in total per scenario to answer both.
Raters are told to focus on the substance and quality of your response, not on grammar or spelling.
You can use bullets when you type.
Acuity suggests answering each question with as much detail as you can, especially about your motivations, and says not to worry if you don't finish a thought.

Acuity doesn't say longer answers score higher. It says raters look at your thinking, judgment and communication. Typing more only helps if the extra words carry more of that.

How many words fit in 3.5 minutes

This is our own arithmetic, not an Acuity figure. The first column is a pure typing limit if you typed for the full 210 seconds. The second assumes you spend about 45 seconds reading the scenario and planning, which leaves 165 seconds of typing. We picked 45 seconds as a reasonable guess, so treat the result as a rough guide.

Typing speed	Words in 3.5 minutes, no pause	Words after 45 seconds of reading and planning	Per question, split evenly
30 WPM	105	82	41
40 WPM	140	110	55
50 WPM	175	138	69
60 WPM	210	165	82
70 WPM	245	192	96
80 WPM	280	220	110

The numbers describe your ceiling, not a target. Your real speed on a screen, while thinking about a hard dilemma, is usually lower than a typing-test score. Measure it by answering a real scenario against the clock, not just by running a speed test.

Is 40 words per minute enough

For most people, yes. At 40 WPM the table gives about 110 words across both questions, or around 55 per question. That is enough to say what you'd do, why, and what the other person needs, which is the core of a good answer. Here is a made-up example for one question, written by us, at 54 words:

Scenario: Your lab partner, Dev, asks you to put his name on a report he didn't help write. What would you do?

Sample answer (54 words): "I would tell Dev no, kindly. Putting his name on a report he didn't help write is dishonest to our instructor and unfair to classmates who did the work. I'd offer to explain the analysis so he can write his own section tonight, and suggest he ask for a short extension if he's behind."

It makes a decision, gives a reason, considers Dev, and offers a next step. Typing it from scratch at 40 WPM takes roughly 81 seconds, which fits inside the typed window with time left for the second question. A faster typist could add more depth, such as the risk to Dev if the instructor finds out, but would not need to change the structure.

How to type better in 3.5 minutes

Plan the first sentence before you type. Know your decision and one reason, then start. Most lost time is thinking while the cursor sits still.
Split the clock. Aim for about 1 minute 40 seconds per question. If you run long on the first, cut it short and answer the second, since an unanswered question gives raters nothing to score.
Use bullets when you are short on time. Acuity says bullets are fine, and a clear three-point answer beats a half-finished paragraph.
Don't fix typos. Raters are told not to weigh grammar or spelling. Backspacing costs seconds you can spend on content.
Don't script answers. Memorized paragraphs usually miss the actual question and waste your reading time.
Practice on the real clock. Do a few typed scenarios at exactly 3.5 minutes for both questions. You'll find your own pace and the point where your answers get thin.

Should you practice typing separately

Only if you type very slowly or look at the keys. In that case, a few days of short typing drills can help, and so can practicing on the same keyboard and screen you'll use on test day. For everyone else, time spent on timed scenarios does more than raw speed drills, because the hard part is deciding what to say, not how quickly the letters appear. Start with Acuity's free 11-scenario practice test in your Acuity account, then add timed practice with feedback.

Confetto's typed scenarios use the same 3.5-minute window for two questions, and each answer gets a 1 to 9 score with tips. You can try 3 typed and 3 video scenarios free with no card at Casper Prep. You can also read our original sample scenarios and try them against a timer on your own, or see how to prepare for Casper. For the schools that ask for it, see which medical schools require Casper.

FAQ

What typing speed do you need for Casper?

Acuity doesn't publish a minimum. Around 40 WPM lets you type about 110 words across both questions in a scenario by our estimate, which is enough for a clear answer. Faster typing mainly buys room for more detail.

Do typos matter on Casper?

Acuity says raters are instructed to focus on the substance and quality of your response rather than grammar or spelling, so don't spend time fixing small typos.

Can I use bullet points in the typed section?

Yes. Acuity says you can use bullets when writing typed responses.

How long do I get for each typed question?

3.5 minutes for the two questions together, not per question. Plan on roughly 1 minute 40 seconds each.

Do longer answers score higher?

Acuity doesn't say so. It says raters look at the substance of your answer. A short answer that makes a decision, gives a reason and thinks about the people involved is stronger than a long one that repeats itself.

How many typed scenarios are on the test?

7, after the 4 video scenarios, according to Acuity's applicant page. Each has 2 questions.

Sources

Acuity Insights: About Casper, Casper Prep and the Help Centre article How is the Casper test scored and evaluated?, read October 6, 2026. The word counts are our own arithmetic.

Casper is a registered trademark of Acuity Insights. Confetto offers independent practice and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Acuity Insights.