How Does CAS Get Verified in the IB System?
Completing CAS—Creativity, Activity, and Service—is a non-negotiable part of the IB Diploma. While CAS isn't graded, failure to meet its expectations can result in not receiving the diploma. So how exactly does IB verify CAS? And what can you do to ensure everything checks out? This guide breaks it all down—with direct links to trusted RevisionDojo resources.
1. Who Verifies Your CAS Activities?
Verification starts at your school. Your CAS Coordinator—not the IB itself—monitors your activities, reflections, and project completion over the 18-month duration. The school submits your status (complete/incomplete) to the IB via IBIS.
To understand the full expectations, check out RevisionDojo’s guide on CAS minimum requirements, which outlines what qualifies as a legitimate CAS experience.
2. What Does Verification Involve?
To “complete” CAS, students must:
- Show evidence of consistent CAS engagement
- Complete a CAS project (minimum one month)
- Demonstrate all seven learning outcomes
- Participate in three formal interviews with the CAS Coordinator
RevisionDojo’s CAS checklist for IB students offers a step-by-step planner to help meet every checkpoint.
3. How Do Reflections and Evidence Matter?
IB requires quality reflections, not just logs. Students must explain:
- What they learned
- How they overcame challenges
- How they collaborated or showed commitment
Learn how to write impactful reflections with RevisionDojo’s guide to CAS reflections, which includes samples and prompts.
4. What Platforms Track CAS?
Most schools use platforms like ManageBac to:
- Submit evidence
- Track progress
- Document reflections
- Secure supervisor approvals
However, the IB does not access your portfolio directly. It relies on the school’s report and supervisor sign-offs to determine if you met the expectations.
5. What Happens If CAS Is Not Completed?
If your school marks CAS as “incomplete” in IBIS:
- You won’t receive your IB Diploma
- You may be given additional time to complete your CAS (up to 12 months post-exams)
To avoid this, RevisionDojo suggests reviewing their CAS goal-setting strategies early in your first year.
6. Can IB Audit Your CAS Work?
Yes—IB randomly audits schools’ CAS records. This ensures the school is applying IB standards. During audits:
- A sample of student portfolios may be reviewed
- Discrepancies could lead to consequences for the school, not just the student
Stay audit-ready by following RevisionDojo’s portfolio planning guide, which helps ensure your documentation is organized and outcome-aligned.
FAQs
Does IB personally read my reflections?
No, your school’s CAS Coordinator reviews them. However, your portfolio must be complete in case of an audit.
What if I miss a learning outcome?
You must demonstrate all seven learning outcomes across your activities to pass CAS.
Is there a required number of hours?
No—IB removed the 150-hour requirement. Focus on quality and consistency over time.
Final Thoughts
CAS is verified entirely through your school, but the IB sets the framework. By documenting your reflections, securing supervisor confirmations, and showing real growth across all three strands, you’ll meet the standard.
📘 Need tools for tracking reflections or building a complete portfolio?
Explore RevisionDojo’s full CAS resource library to make your CAS experience meaningful—and officially verifiable.
