IBEC CAS Program 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following scenarios demonstrates LO5 — 'Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively'?
- A student independently writes a blog about environmental awareness
- A student mediates a conflict within their CAS project team and reflects on how shared responsibility improved the outcome (Correct answer)
- A student runs a 5K race alone to improve personal fitness
- A student researches a topic for a solo presentation
Correct answer: A student mediates a conflict within their CAS project team and reflects on how shared responsibility improved the outcome
Mediating team conflict and reflecting on collaborative benefits directly demonstrates LO5's focus on teamwork skills and their value.
Question 2: What distinguishes a CAS 'experience' from a CAS 'project'?
- Experiences are always individual while projects are always done in groups
- A project is a sustained, collaborative, well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences; a single experience is a one-time or shorter engagement (Correct answer)
- Projects must involve all three CAS strands; experiences need only one
- Experiences are formally assessed by the IB; projects are not
Correct answer: A project is a sustained, collaborative, well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences; a single experience is a one-time or shorter engagement
A CAS project is defined by its sustained, collaborative, and multi-stage nature, distinguishing it from a single shorter experience.
Question 3: A student is unsure whether an activity qualifies for CAS. What guiding questions should the supervisor encourage the student to consider?
- How many hours will I spend and will it look good on my transcript?
- Does it involve real engagement, personal challenge, and opportunity for reflection and learning? (Correct answer)
- Is it on the school's pre-approved list of CAS activities?
- Will my peers think this activity is impressive?
Correct answer: Does it involve real engagement, personal challenge, and opportunity for reflection and learning?
IB CAS focuses on genuine engagement, challenge, and reflective learning as the core criteria for activity suitability.
Question 4: How does the IB recommend that schools handle students who do not complete CAS by the end of the Diploma Programme?
- Award the Diploma with a note indicating incomplete CAS
- Withhold the Diploma until CAS requirements are satisfactorily met or grant a certificate without the full Diploma (Correct answer)
- Allow a one-year extension automatically for all students
- Substitute CAS with an additional Extended Essay
Correct answer: Withhold the Diploma until CAS requirements are satisfactorily met or grant a certificate without the full Diploma
IB policy is to withhold the Diploma if CAS requirements are not completed; a Diploma cannot be awarded without satisfactory CAS completion.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes the IB's stance on using social media posts as CAS reflections?
- Social media is never acceptable as a reflection format under any circumstances
- Digital formats including social media can be valid if they demonstrate genuine, thoughtful reflection aligned with learning outcomes (Correct answer)
- Social media posts automatically satisfy all seven learning outcomes
- Only written journal entries are accepted by the IB as valid reflections
Correct answer: Digital formats including social media can be valid if they demonstrate genuine, thoughtful reflection aligned with learning outcomes
IB accepts a variety of reflection formats, including digital and visual media, provided they evidence authentic and meaningful reflection.
Question 6: A student proposes a CAS project to tutor younger students in mathematics. Which additional element would MOST strengthen this as a CAS project?
- Increasing the number of tutoring sessions to exceed 50 hours
- Incorporating collaborative planning with peers, systematic reflection, and a measurable community impact goal (Correct answer)
- Receiving payment for tutoring to demonstrate professional development
- Having a teacher supervise every individual session
Correct answer: Incorporating collaborative planning with peers, systematic reflection, and a measurable community impact goal
A strong CAS project includes collaborative design, ongoing reflection, and intentional goals — these elements transform tutoring into a genuine CAS project.
Question 7: According to IB CAS guidelines, what is the PRIMARY purpose of the CAS interview between student and supervisor?
- To assign a numerical grade to the student's CAS portfolio
- To provide an opportunity for the student to articulate and evidence their learning and growth across the program (Correct answer)
- To determine which activities should be removed from the student's portfolio
- To compare the student's CAS performance against classmates
Correct answer: To provide an opportunity for the student to articulate and evidence their learning and growth across the program
The CAS interview is a formative conversation where students articulate their personal growth, learning, and engagement — it is not a graded assessment.
IBEC CAS Program 5
Which of the following scenarios demonstrates LO5 — 'Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively'?