What is the...

Key features of the extended essay

• The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students.

• A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma.

• The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.

• The extended essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.

• When choosing a subject for the extended essay, students must consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects published in the Diploma Programme Assessment procedures for the session in question.

• The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school.

• It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.

• It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.

• Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes three mandatory reflection sessions.

• The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce, which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.

(https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=2&chapter=1)