Criterion B

🎯 Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)

This assesses whether:

✅ You understand your topic through the lens of your subject

✅ You use the correct terms, theories, and frameworks from your discipline

✅ Your sources, examples, and explanations are appropriate for your subject area

In other words: Are you writing like a student of your subject, not just a curious person?

Here’s what the IB rubric says for top marks (6):

“The selection of source materials is clearly relevant and appropriate to the research question and the subject.

Knowledge and understanding of the topic studied is excellent. Subject-specific terminology and concepts are used accurately throughout the essay”

So a strong essay must:

⭐ The essay consistently uses accurate subject-specific terminology

⭐ The student demonstrates deep understanding of the topic in context

⭐ The research is framed using discipline-appropriate theories, models, or methods

⭐ The sources are clearly chosen for their relevance to the subject, not just general interest

⭐ There are no gaps in subject knowledge, no vague or incorrect applications

What You Should Demonstrate?

Biology: Use of correct scientific terminology, understanding of biological systems, data interpretation

History: Awareness of historical context, causes and consequences, schools of thought

English: Use of literary analysis, genre conventions, themes and devices

Economics: Application of models (e.g. supply/demand, elasticity), use of data and economic indicators

Psychology: Reference to studies, theories (e.g., cognitive/biological), evaluation of findings

Visual Arts: Discussion of technique, style, visual analysis, and relevant movements or periods