Key Takeaways
- Free preparation works, but it takes more self-discipline and gives you less feedback
- Caspermate has a free plan and two paid plans, Pro and Elite
- One-off workshops run roughly A$200 to A$500, and private tutoring A$100 to A$200 an hour
- The most useful thing any prep tool offers is timed practice in the real format
- Feedback that names what was weak beats an overall score, because it tells you what to change
- Think about your typing speed, your test date and how much guidance you want
Why this question matters
GP training is competitive, and not every applicant gets an offer. So it's natural to wonder whether paying for preparation helps.
The honest answer: it depends on what you're paying for, how you learn best and how long you have before your test. Here are the options, so you can decide for yourself.
What free preparation looks like
There are genuinely useful free resources available for Casper test preparation in Australia. Understanding what these offer, and what they lack, helps you decide if you need more.
- RACGP official resources: the RACGP's assessment page explains the format, booking and fees
- Reddit and forum threads: communities like r/AusDoc share candidate experiences, though advice quality varies significantly
- Caspermate free plan: one typed scenario and one video scenario, timed like the real test and scored by AI. Our free sample scenarios show answers at every quartile, with no signup
- YouTube: some medical educators share general Casper strategy videos, though few are specific to the Australian GP context
- Study groups: forming a group with other candidates to practise and discuss answers collaboratively
The free approach works if...
You're a strong self-directed learner, you have eight weeks or more, you can find a study partner and you already type at 60+ WPM. What free prep usually lacks is feedback: knowing why an answer is Q2 rather than Q4, not just seeing a model answer.
What paid preparation offers
Paid options vary a lot in format, price and quality. Here's what the main types usually include. For a dated comparison of named Casper prep platforms, see Casper prep platforms compared.
Scroll sideways to see every column.
| Option | Price (AUD) | Includes | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caspermate Pro | See current pricing | 7 video and 10 typed scenarios, plus 17 AI evaluations a month. Timed practice, with feedback after every scenario | No comparison with other candidates, no retries and no Q4 model answers |
| Caspermate Elite | See current pricing | Unlimited practice across all 149 scenarios. Compare your results with other candidates, retry scenarios, see Q4 model answers on 69 of our 125 typed scenarios, and get priority email support | Highest price point on the platform |
| One-off workshops | A$200 to A$500 | Live session with facilitator, group practice, immediate verbal feedback | Limited scenarios, no ongoing access, quality varies by facilitator |
| Comprehensive courses | A$300 to A$800 | Pre-recorded content, scenario banks, sometimes mock tests | Often generic, with limited personalisation |
| Private tutoring | A$100 to A$200 an hour | Personalised 1-on-1 feedback, tailored strategy | Expensive at scale, depends entirely on tutor quality |
What to look for in any prep resource
Whether free or paid, the most effective Casper test preparation resources share certain characteristics. Use this checklist to evaluate any option you are considering:
- The real format: Casper is open-response, typed and on video. Prep built for multiple-choice situational judgement tests won't train that skill
- Realistic timing: untimed practice feels easier than the real thing. You need 3.5-minute timed practice for typed answers
- Model Q4 answers: seeing what excellence looks like is more valuable than being told what to avoid
- Competency-level feedback: knowing your overall score is less useful than understanding which of the 9 competencies need work
- Something free to try first: you should be able to judge the scenarios and the feedback before you pay
Red flags in prep courses
Avoid any course that teaches rigid templates to memorise, focuses on clinical knowledge instead of personal qualities, or has no timed practice.
Our honest recommendation
If your budget is tight, you can absolutely prepare effectively for free, but you need to be disciplined about timing yourself and critically reviewing your answers. The biggest risk with free-only preparation is practising bad habits without feedback.
If you want structure, Caspermate Pro and Elite give you timed practice and AI feedback that names what was weak in each answer. You can check current pricing. Weigh it against the assessment itself, which costs A$190 (checked 13 Sep 2026) each time you sit.
Start with the free plan: one typed scenario and one video scenario, each scored by AI. If your answers already land in Q3 or Q4, you may not need a paid resource. If they land in Q1 or Q2, feedback on what was weak will help you fix it faster than self-study alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caspermate worth the money?
You can judge for yourself first: the free plan includes one typed scenario and one video scenario, each scored by AI. Pro adds 7 video and 10 typed scenarios, plus 17 AI evaluations a month. Elite adds unlimited practice, comparison with other candidates, retries, Q4 model answers on 69 of our 125 typed scenarios and priority email support. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Can I prepare in just 2 weeks?
Two weeks is better than nothing, though many people give themselves six to eight. If you only have two, focus on the Q4 habits (acknowledge, normalise, explore, support) and do as many timed scenarios as you can.
Do study groups actually help for Casper test preparation?
Yes, if structured well. The most effective study groups practise scenarios under timed conditions, then discuss each person's response. Hearing different perspectives on the same scenario builds the nuanced thinking that raters reward with higher scores.