How to create the perfect CAS Portfolio?
Our IB Subject courses make up 42 points (7 being the maximum obtainable score for each subject), and the remaining 3 points make up the IB Core: consisting of CAS, the Extended Essay, and the Theory of Knowledge.
Through this series, we will look at two core elements of the IBDP: CAS and EE, as part of our IB Core Series articles.
Please click here to read the first article of the series, “What is CAS?”
Are you feeling lost and overwhelmed when it comes to logging your CAS reflections?
Look no further!
This guide is here to help you conquer the CAS Portfolio.
This article will help you gain clarity on how to create your CAS portfolio, log your experiences, and design an action plan that will work for your DP years. From the basics to advanced techniques, this article has everything you need to know to become a CAS pro.
Let’s get started.
THE BASICS: Is there a specific way I should log experiences to the portfolio for CAS?
Truth be told, the IB hasn’t published any strict set of instructions about what logs in portfolios should look like. This offers you the creative freedom to design it according to your preferences. However, if you're anything like me, you're a mixture of creativity and confusion for this part.
To begin with, click on the link below:
CAS Portfolio content can be logged on the above-mentioned common link for all IB students at King’s InterHigh.
Keep in mind, the portfolio format must remain consistent throughout the two years of the Diploma Programme. Therefore, all logged experiences must have the same font, layout, and format.
THE ADVANCED: Tips to design a well-organized CAS portfolio
1. Use a clear and organized layout: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make the portfolio easy to read and understand.
2. If required, include a table of contents: Use a table of contents to make it easy for the evaluator to find the information they are looking for.
For the table of contents, here’s an example of how an IB student may choose to format each CAS experience.
3. Include a summary: Include a summary of the portfolio at the end, this should summarize the main points of the portfolio and the overall learning experience.
4. Follow the guidelines provided by the school: Make sure to follow the guidelines provided by the school or the IB organization, these include the specific CAS objectives that should be reflected. As a King’s InterHigh student, you are required to log a minimum of 10 experiences in your CAS portfolio, with 2 experiences per term.
Click here to read more about IB’s specific CAS objectives in “What is CAS?”
Note: Non-compliance with King’s InterHigh and IBO’s policies regarding CAS can cost you your diploma.
THE BREAKDOWN:
In a nutshell, a CAS portfolio must consist of 3 essential aspects of your IB CAS course:
Profile
Here, you would describe your plans for their CAS program as well as how they link to your interests, abilities, talents, and the IB’s 7 learning objectives, creating a personal profile.
Consider how your own personal value systems align with the values expressed by the IB.
Developing an awareness of yourself in relation to CAS learning outcomes is a crucial aspect of the profile. Moreover, through a deeper understanding of CAS learning outcomes, you will be able to identify both short-term and long-term goals in your CAS program, instead of simply 'doing' CAS.
This section is logged under ‘My hopes for CAS.’
EXPERIENCES:
This section is where you would have to show that you have actively engaged in your individual CAS experiences. For this, you may want to log the reflections of your experiences, which must include:
Your learning moments
Personal achievements
How you best utilized the CAS stages
Think about the thoughts you had during the activity, and how the completion of the activity affected you.
Some question prompts that may help:
What did you learn?
How did you grow?
What would you do differently in the future?
For every individual experience, you must connect it to at least one of the CAS learning objectives and provide a brief reflection on it. For example, if you participated in a service project, think about how it helped you to understand others' needs and how it contributed to your personal development.
Also, consider using specific examples as well. For example, you may want to mention a highlight of the activity.
Overall, try using reflective language to demonstrate that you are in fact reflecting on your own experience. Words such as, “I learned,” or “I realized” go a long way.
Based on your experience, it may be classified under 'Creativity Experiences,' 'Activity Experiences,' or 'Service Experiences.'
EVIDENCE:
This section must contain proof of your involvement in the CAS experiences you’ve logged. This can be in the form of:
Planning documents
Letters
Email
Certificates
Acknowledgments of Involvement
Photos
Films
Note: The evidence you choose to provide is not limited to the above-mentioned formats.
Each piece of evidentiary support must be classified under 'Creativity Experiences,' 'Activity Experiences,' or 'Service Experiences’ and logged in the same section as the CAS experience.
For example,
Your evidence may be stored under the demonstration section of an experience if you choose to format every experience in the example format above.
Click here to read more about what each ingredient of CAS should contain in “What is CAS”?
FAQ: How do I create an action plan for my CAS experiences and project?
The IB has often stressed that CAS is meant to be a personal reflection of experiences that help the student undergo personal development through the DP years, and it must link to the 7 learning outcomes.
I recommend using SMART to create your own CAS action plan:
S-Be specific on what you intend to achieve during the IBDP. Identify the activities you need to achieve the goal.
M-Set measurable outcomes for each activity, such as specific skills you intend to gain. This will help you track progress and measure your success.
A-Make sure that the activities you plan to undertake are achievable within the given time frame. Consider the resources and support available to you.
R-The activities should align with the CAS objectives and provide opportunities for personal growth and development, they should be realistic and relevant to your interests and goals.
T-Establish a timeline for each activity, including start and end dates. Make sure to set a deadline for the completion of each task.
SMART is only useful if you have generated enough ideas for a total of your CAS experiences. If you’re currently struggling to come up with new CAS experience ideas, consider conducting brainstorming sessions and creating mindmaps to create a list of experiences that can be used to plan upcoming CAS-related experiences.
Overall for CAS, it's important to remember that the CAS portfolio is a personal reflection of your experiences, so it's important, to be honest, and authentic in your reflections. It is not only a requirement but also a valuable tool for personal growth and development.
With clarity and understanding, comes peace of mind.
Now that you've mastered the process of logging CAS experiences in your portfolio, it's time to take the next step: the essential CAS project.
So, stay tuned for another article on the CAS project, as we delve deeper into CAS.
It’s time to ace the CAS portfolio with confidence!
Thanks to our IB CAS coordinator, Mr. Alistair Wallace, who developed and approved this article.
References:
Blen, H. (2021, June 14). CAS Portfolio: Create a Better One. Hello Blen.
Retrieved January 26, 2023, from, https://helloblen.com/blog/3260-cas-portfolio-create-a-better-one
ISB. (n.d.). The CAS Portfolio. Google sites. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://sites.google.com/site/isbcashandbook/the-cas-portfolio
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