Click here to explore thousands of examiner marked IA, EE and TOK exemplars!
Are you currently an IB student or thinking of pursuing IB? If so, you have probably heard about CAS, which makes up the IB Diploma Programme core requirements along with the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. If you want to learn more about what IB CAS entails, this post is for you! Keep reading for more details about CAS, such as deadlines, requirements, and ideas for activities you can do.
What is IB CAS?
Overview
CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, Service and is a core part of the IB Diploma Programme. CAS is designed to develop well-rounded students and ensure that IB learners develop themselves beyond academics. CAS promotes personal growth through experiential learning, requiring students to participate in activities in each of the following categories:
Creativity – Engaging in arts, music, drama, writing, or other innovative projects.
Activity – Participating in physical activities like sports, dance, or outdoor adventures.
Service – Volunteering and community work to develop social responsibility and give back to the community.
CAS is not graded but its completion is mandatory for earning the IB diploma. You can think of CAS as being "graded" on a Pass/Fail basis. Failing CAS can mean that you do not obtain the IB Diploma even if you have an overall passing mark. Check out this post for more information regarding what happens if you fail IB CAS. CAS is designed to help students meet certain learning outcomes such as identifying their strengths and weaknesses, planning a CAS project, showing commitment, and engaging with global issues. A full list of learning outcomes and their significance can be found here.
Passing Requirements
Most students do end up passing CAS as the requirements are quite easy to complete. Students are expected to complete experiences in all three strands of CAS. Although there is no maximum or minimum number of experiences, students should aim to have at least 4 in each category. For more details regarding CAS requirements, please see this article here. For CAS ideas for Creativity, Activity, and Service, click the links in blue.
Students must also include reflections for each CAS activity completed. At least one reflection must be included per activity. However, if a student participated in an activity for an extended period, they may have to include 2-3 reflections to show their progress throughout the experience. CAS reflections must show evidence of reflective and critical thinking and should not simply be descriptions of what the activity consisted of. Good examples of CAS reflections can be found here.
Although CAS has no set deadline from the IBO, individual schools may have their own internal deadlines for students to complete their CAS portfolios. There is also no fixed minimum number of CAS hours that students need to complete. In previous years, a minimum of 150 hours was required, although this requirement has now been removed. However, some schools may still require students to submit these many hours, depending on the IB coordinator. Students should always make sure to check their school's policies regarding the CAS hours requirement and deadlines to avoid making any mistakes that could lead to failing CAS. For a more detailed insight into CAS hours requirements and deadlines, click the links in blue.
CAS Project
The CAS project is a mandatory component of CAS and is required to achieve a passing grade. It is a collaborative project between at least 2 students that can address any single strand of CAS (Creativity, Activity or Service), combine any two strands, or even include all three strands. The CAS project should have meaningful outcomes and help students grow and give back to the community. For more details, see this post here. If you are wondering what the difference between regular CAS experiences and the CAS project is, check out this post here.
The CAS project should last at least 4 weeks and cover all 5 stages including Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Demonstration. A more detailed explanation of each stage of the CAS project can be found here. Students are expected to include at least 3 reflections for the CAS project, although more reflections are preferred. The CAS project can also be done at any time during the IB Diploma Program, either in Year 1 or Year 2. The above requirements are summarized in this post.
If you are struggling to come up with some ideas for your CAS project, check out our list here, which includes ideas such as creating a tutoring program, hosting an art or fashion show, and starting a recycling service. Once you have an idea for your CAS project, you will need to submit a project proposal to your teacher or DP coordinator. Make sure you follow the format outlined here to ensure your project proposal is of the highest quality.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
The Fast Track To Your
Best IB Coursework & College Essays
All content on this website has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.