Extended Essay 2027->

The Extended Essay

The extended essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic, undertaken either through a subject-focused approach or an interdisciplinary approach combining two DP subjects. Students choose from the list of available DP subjects for the examination session in question. This is normally one of the student’s six selected subjects (or two in the case of the interdisciplinary pathway) for those taking the IB diploma, or a subject that a course student has a background in. The extended essay is intended to promote academic research and writing skills, providing students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (an appropriately qualified member of staff within the school). Students produce a significant piece of appropriately presented and structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a coherent, reasoned manner, appropriate to the subject(s) chosen. Students must attend three reflection sessions with their supervisor. The third session is a short, concluding interview, or viva voce, that follows the completion of their extended essay. An assessment of this reflection is made under criterion E using the reflection and progress form (RPF).

The extended essay, whether subject-focused or interdisciplinary, is assessed against common criteria.