IB DP Core: CAS Stages 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student realizes mid-project that her original plan is not working and revises her approach. Which CAS stage does this revision primarily reflect?
- Investigating
- Preparing
- Acting (Correct answer)
- Demonstrating
Correct answer: Acting
The Acting stage is dynamic and may involve revising plans in response to real-world challenges encountered during implementation.
Question 2: How do the five stages of CAS typically function in a real project?
- They are completed one at a time in strict order with no overlap
- They are optional guidelines that students can follow if they choose
- They are cyclical and may overlap, with students moving between stages as needed (Correct answer)
- They must be signed off by the CAS coordinator in sequence
Correct answer: They are cyclical and may overlap, with students moving between stages as needed
The five CAS stages are cyclical and iterative, meaning students often move back and forth between stages rather than following a rigid linear sequence.
Question 3: Which CAS stage is most closely associated with completing a CAS interview with the coordinator?
- Preparing
- Acting
- Reflecting
- Demonstrating (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Demonstrating
The Demonstrating stage often includes presenting evidence of learning to the CAS coordinator, which may involve a formal or informal interview.
Question 4: A student writes a journal entry asking herself: 'Did I meet my goals? What surprised me? How did I grow?' Which CAS stage is this?
- Investigating
- Preparing
- Acting
- Reflecting (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Reflecting
Reflecting involves looking back at CAS experiences to evaluate progress, identify learning, and consider how goals were or were not met.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the Preparing stage in CAS?
- To complete community service hours
- To identify risks, set objectives, and plan how to achieve CAS goals (Correct answer)
- To write a final report for the CAS coordinator
- To choose which CAS learning outcome to demonstrate
Correct answer: To identify risks, set objectives, and plan how to achieve CAS goals
The Preparing stage is about translating the findings from Investigating into a concrete action plan with clear objectives and risk management strategies.
Question 6: Which scenario best illustrates the Demonstrating stage of CAS?
- A student researches local volunteer organizations online
- A student creates a timeline for their CAS project
- A student performs in the school play after weeks of rehearsal
- A student presents her completed CAS portfolio to her advisor, explaining her growth (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A student presents her completed CAS portfolio to her advisor, explaining her growth
Demonstrating involves evidencing CAS learning and outcomes to others, such as presenting a portfolio and explaining personal growth to an advisor.
Question 7: Which of the following best represents the Acting stage in a Service project?
- Identifying which nonprofit to partner with
- Setting weekly volunteer hour targets
- Tutoring students at the local community center every Saturday (Correct answer)
- Writing a blog post about the lessons learned from volunteering
Correct answer: Tutoring students at the local community center every Saturday
Acting is the execution phase where students directly engage in the planned CAS activity, such as consistently volunteering at a community center.
IB DP Core: CAS Stages 3
A student realizes mid-project that her original plan is not working and revises her approach.
Which CAS stage does this revision primarily reflect?