Extended Essay
Score an A
in Your IB
Extended Essay
Transform your research idea into a top-scoring 4,000-word academic masterpiece with expert supervision
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What Is the IB Extended Essay?
4,000 Words of
Independent Research
The Extended Essay is your opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a topic you’re passionate about. It’s a core IB Diploma requirement that develops university-level research and writing skills.
- ✓Choose any IB subject
- ✓Develop critical thinking
- ✓Master academic writing
- ✓Earn bonus diploma points
Choose Your Perfect
Topic
35+
Subjects
01
Personal Interest
Choose something you genuinely care about. You’ll spend 40+ hours on this.
02
Focused Scope
Narrow enough to explore deeply in 4,000 words, not too broad.
03
Research Availability
Ensure sufficient academic sources exist to support investigation.
04
Clear Question
Can be framed as a specific, answerable research question.
05
Subject Alignment
Fits within IB subject guidelines and assessment criteria.
Research & Writing Process
From Topic to Triumph
5 progressive stages to crafting your Extended Essay
01
Planning
Months 1-2
- Choose subject
- Preliminary research
- Formulate RQ
- Meet supervisor
- Submit proposal
02
Research
Months 3-5
- Gather sources
- Take notes
- Analyze data
- Check-ins
- Refine question
03
First Draft
Months 6-8
- Create outline
- Write intro
- Develop body
- Write conclusion
- Submit draft
04
Revision
Months 9-10
- Get feedback
- Strengthen args
- Check count
- Refine writing
- Review criteria
05
Submission
Months 11-12
- Complete all
- Format citations
- Proofread
- Title page
- Submit to IB
Assessment Criteria
Focus & Method
Assessed by topic focus, methodology appropriateness, and research scope
- ✓Clearly focused topic
- ✓Clear scope statement
- ✓Appropriate methods
- ✓Well-structured approach
6
marks
Real Essay Examples
Explore top-scoring student essays across all IB subjects with detailed examiner commentary and analysis.
Full Access to Essay Library
- ✓Complete essays with annotations
- ✓Examiner feedback reports
- ✓Grade breakdowns by criteria
- ✓Research question analysis
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Featured Essay
English Literature
Perfect Score
“How does Toni Morrison use magical realism in Beloved to explore trauma and memory?”
Sophisticated textual analysis with strong argumentation and deep engagement with theory
3,997 words
Read Full Essay →
Common Mistakes
Learn from pitfalls that cost students valuable marks and how to avoid them in your own essay.
Vague Research Question
Loses 4-6 marks
✓Make it specific and focused
Insufficient Research
Loses 3-5 marks
✓Use 15-25 quality sources
Descriptive Not Analytical
Loses 8-12 marks
✓Focus on critical thinking
Plagiarism & Citations
Potential fail
✓Cite everything properly
Over Word Count
Loses marks
✓Edit to 3,000-4,000 words
No Personal Engagement
Loses 2-4 marks
✓Show genuine interest
Expert Guidance
How Our EE Tutors
Support You
Subject specialists with PhDs and IB examiner experience guide you from topic selection to final submission.
✓Topic Selection
✓Research Planning
✓Draft Feedback
✓Citation Help
✓Critical Thinking
✓Final Review
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Templates & Guides
▤
Planning Timeline
PDF+
▤
RQ Generator
Tool+
▤
Outline Template
DOCX+
▤
Citation Guide
PDF+
▤
Research Log
Sheet+
▤
Assessment Checklist
PDF+
▤
Reflection Forms
DOCX+
▤
Title Page
DOCX+
Ready to Write Your
Extended Essay?
Book a free consultation with an expert EE tutor today
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EE assessment criteria explained
Understanding how examiners award marks is essential if you want to score at the highest level in the IB Extended Essay.
CRITERION
MARKS
WHAT EXAMINERS LOOK FOR
A — Focus & method
6
marks
A clearly stated, appropriate, and focused research question. A methodology suited to the subject and RQ. Scope is manageable within 4,000 words.
B — Knowledge & understanding
6
marks
Subject-specific knowledge accurately applied. Awareness of context, terminology, and conventions of the chosen subject group.
C — Critical thinking
12
marks
The highest-weighted criterion. Analysis, evaluation, and synthesis — not just description. A coherent argument that builds toward a well-supported conclusion.
D — Presentation
4
marks
Correct structure, appropriate citations (a recognised style consistently applied), and a word count within limits. Often underestimated — costs easy marks.
E — Engagement
6
marks
Assessed via the RPPF. Examiners want evidence of intellectual curiosity, self-reflection, and genuine engagement with the research process over time.
Extended essay examples by subject
HISTORY · GRADE A
“To what extent was the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact a rational strategic decision for the Soviet Union in 1939?”
Strong use of primary sources including Soviet diplomatic cables. Criterion C score of 11/12 for sustained analytical argument throughout.
History
Cold War Origins
Historiography
ECONOMICS · GRADE A
“How effective was the Bank of England’s 2021–2023 interest rate policy in reducing UK inflation?”
Excellent data collection and analysis. Uses both real-world data and economic theory to evaluate policy outcomes. Clear, specific RQ delivers well-scoped research.
Economics
Monetary Policy
Data Analysis
BIOLOGY · GRADE B
“The effect of pH levels on the enzyme activity of amylase in starch hydrolysis”
Solid experimental design but loses marks on Criterion C for insufficient evaluation of limitations and inconsistent data interpretation in the conclusion.
Biology
Enzymes
Lab-based
ENGLISH A · GRADE A
“How does Kazuo Ishiguro use narrative unreliability in ‘Never Let Me Go’ to construct a critique of bioethics?”
Perceptive close reading combined with literary theory. RQ is original and sophisticated. Earns full marks on Criterion B for depth of subject knowledge.
English Lit
Narrative Theory
Bioethics
Common EE mistakes & how to avoid them
✕
A topic, not a research question
“The effects of social media” is not an RQ. Every EE needs a focused, arguable question with a clear scope that can be answered within 4,000 words.
✕
Description over analysis
Summarising what sources say earns low marks on Criterion C. You must evaluate, compare, and argue — not report. Every section should advance your answer.
✕
Neglecting the RPPF
The three reflection entries are worth 6 marks. Many students write them as an afterthought. They should show genuine intellectual development over time.
✕
Inconsistent referencing
Pick one citation style (MLA, APA, or Chicago) and use it throughout without exception. Mixing styles or omitting citations loses Criterion D marks quickly.
✕
A conclusion that introduces new points
The conclusion must answer the research question — nothing more. New evidence or arguments in the conclusion confuses the examiner and signals poor planning.
✕
Leaving it to DP2
Students who begin genuine research in DP2 consistently score lower. The process takes time. Start topic selection in DP1 Term 1 — not later.
How our EE tutors support you
Our EE tutors work with you across every phase — from RQ selection to final proofread. All are subject specialists with IB experience.
PS
Parul Sharma
Chemistry PhD · 7 years IB EE tutoring
★★★★★
Specialises in science EEs. Expert at helping students design laboratory methodologies that satisfy Criterion A and produce high-quality data for Criterion C.
KS
Krisha Santwani
History MA · Former IB supervisor
★★★★★
Humanities and Social Sciences specialist. Particular strength in helping students develop a historiographical argument and select the right primary sources.
NP
Nishath Parveen
Economics MSc · 5 years EE tutoring
★★★★★
Economics and Business EE expert. Helps students ground theoretical analysis in real-world data and structure arguments that score well on Criterion C.
Book an IB Extended Essay tutor
Tell us your subject and where you are in the process. We’ll match you with the right specialist within 24 hours.
Templates & Guides
Planning Timeline
RQ Generator
Outline Template
Citation Guide
Research Log
Assessment Checklist
Reflection Forms
Title Page
Word
Ready to Write Your
Extended Essay?
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Subject specialists
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