CAS Manager vs a spreadsheet: managing your API score the easy way
Many teachers keep their CAS record in a spreadsheet plus a folder of scans. It works, until the formulas break or a proof goes missing. Here is an honest comparison.
Side by side
| Task | Spreadsheet and folders | CAS Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Applying each activity's points rule | You write and maintain the formulas | Applied automatically as you enter an activity |
| Yearly caps per activity and category | Easy to forget or mis-apply | Applied automatically, counted score shown |
| Keeping proofs with entries | Separate files, matched by hand | Proof is attached to the entry it supports |
| Spotting entries without proof | Manual check | A list of entries with no proof |
| Checking promotion requirements | Another set of formulas | A dashboard showing each requirement and what is short |
| Switching between years and stages | Copying sheets | Year picker and stage view |
| Producing the final file | Assemble report and scans by hand | One PDF: report first, then chosen proofs in your order |
When a spreadsheet is still fine
If you have a handful of entries and a notification that matches a template you already trust, a spreadsheet can be enough. The problems start with many years of data, several categories with caps and a pile of proofs.
When to switch
- You are unsure whether a cap has been applied correctly.
- You spend more time assembling the file than doing the work in it.
- You cannot quickly say which entries are missing proof.
Trying it
New accounts start with a free trial and need no payment details. You can enter a few activities and see the scores, totals and eligibility checks before deciding.
Related guides
Points per activity, yearly maximums and a worked example.
What proof to keep for teaching, research, extension and publications.
What CAS is, who it is for, what is assessed and how to prepare.