Assessment in TOK is designed to evaluate how well students can explore and reflect on the nature of knowledge across different contexts. The focus is on the development of critical thinking, the ability to consider different perspectives, and the application of TOK concepts to real-world and academic scenarios.
TOK has two assessment components, both internally and externally moderated by the IB:
The exhibition is an individual task where students select three objects and connect them to one of the 35 prescribed IA prompts (e.g., “What counts as knowledge?”). Students write a 950-word commentary explaining how their objects relate to the prompt and illustrate the nature of knowledge in a real-world context.
Purpose: To demonstrate how TOK concepts manifest in the world around us.
Setting: Done in-school, guided by a TOK teacher.
Assessment: Marked internally, then moderated externally.
2. TOK Essay (External Assessment – 67%)
The essay is a formal academic piece of 1,600 words written on one of six prescribed titles released annually by the IB. These titles are knowledge questions that students must explore using arguments, examples, and analysis drawn from different areas of knowledge and perspectives.
Purpose: To explore complex knowledge issues in depth.
Support: Students receive guidance but write the essay independently.
Assessment: Submitted to the IB and assessed externally.