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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Understanding EE Criteria