Extended Essay Criteria 

Extended essays are marked by external assessors (examiners appointed by the IB) on a scale of 0 to 34. You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. 

• Criterion A: Focus and method (6 points maximum)

• Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding (6 points maximum)

• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)

• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)

• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter value you get for your essay. Although each criterion has a point value, IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they use qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your EE.

Unpacking the Criteria gives you more detailed and subject-specific guidance about each of the Criterion that will be assessed.

Pay special attention to the checklists after each criterion...