Assessment criteria

This page provides detail on EE assessment criteria, TOK EE Matrix, grade boundaries, and unpacking criteria.

Total Points

The EE is graded out of 34 points; broken into five mains sections.

  • A: Focus and method [6 points]

  • B: Knowledge and understanding [6 points]

  • C: Critical thinking [12 points]

  • D: Presentation [4 points]

  • E: Engagement [6 points]


Grades

From IBO.org

All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. They are marked on a scale from 0 to 34.

The score a student receives relates to a band. The bands are:

  • A – work of an excellent standard.

  • B – work of a good standard.

  • C –work of a satisfactory standard.

  • D – work of a mediocre standard.

  • E – work of an elementary standard.


Grade Boundaries

For the Class of 2018, 2019 and 2020


A = 27 - 34

B = 21 - 26

C = 14 - 20

D = 7 - 13

E = 0 - 6


TOK AND EE TOGETHER

Remember that the Extended Essay in Combination with the Theory of Knowledge Grade makes up a total of 3 bonus points towards the IB Diploma.

The matrix on the right shows how the points can be combined from TOK and EE to earn the points.

*If you do not complete or fail either TOK or the EE you are not eligible to receive an IB Diploma.

Understanding EE criteria

Assement criteria
Criterion A_ Focus and method

A: Focus & Method

This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.


Criterion B_ Knowledge & Understanding (1)

B: Knowledge & Understanding

This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question, or in the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed and the two disciplinary perspectives applied, and additionally the way in which the knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of the appropriate terminology and concepts.


Criterion C_ Critical Thinking

C: Critical Thinking

This criterion assesses the extent to which critical-thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.


Criterion D_ Presentation (1)

D: Presentation

This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.


Criterion E_ Engagement (1)

E: Engagement

This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay , and is based solely on the candidate’s reflections as detailed in the RPPF, with supervisory comments and the extended essay itself as context


Unpacking the criteria


Unpacking the EE criteria.pdf

The IB EE Guide clearly states...

"The extended essay is externally assessed, and as such, supervisors are not expected to mark the essays or arrive at a number to translate into a grade. Predicted grades for all subjects should be based on the qualitative grade descriptors for the subject in question. These descriptors are what will be used by senior examiners to set the boundaries for the extended essay in May 2018, and so schools are advised to use them in the same way."


EE Rubrics

EE Full criteria rubrics

Summary EE Rubric
Full EE Criteria

EE TOK MATRIX

Extended Essay in Combination with the Theory of Knowledge Grade makes up a total of 3 bonus points towards the IB Diploma. The matrix on the right shows how the points can be combined from TOK and EE to earn the points. If you do not complete or fail either TOK or the EE you are not eligible to receive an IB Diploma.


EE-Knowing Assesment criteria 13 Aug 2020.mp4

Understanding EE Criteria