What is the RPF? (DP IB Extended Essay): Revision Note

What is the purpose of the RPF?

What is the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF)

• The Reflection and Progress Form (RPF) is a mandatory document that records a student's reflection process and confirms they attended required meetings

• It is a core part of the EE submission and must be sent to the IB along with the final essay

• The form serves two main functions:

  • It acts as a formal record of the three mandatory reflection sessions

  • It provides the only evidence used for assessment under Criterion E

The single reflective statement

• Students must write one reflective statement — a short piece of writing where the researcher thinks back on their learning and personal growth — of no more than 500 words

  • This is a significant change from the previous "3-reflection form" known as the RPPF — which required multiple separate entries throughout the process

  • Examiners will not read or assess beyond 500 words, so going over the limit can reduce the mark awarded

  • Check-ins may happen between sessions, but only the three formal reflection sessions are recorded on the RPF

• The statement must be written only after the viva voce — the final interview between the student and supervisor celebrating the completion of the work

• The reflective statement section must remain blank until after the viva voce. The attendance fields for the three reflection sessions are completed during the process

  • It should be written in the same language used for the essay

Role in assessment and Criterion E

• The RPF is the sole document used to assess Criterion E: Reflection, which is worth a maximum of 4 marks

• Criterion E measures a student’s ability to evaluate their learning and demonstrate personal growth

• The examiner looks for evidence of:

  • Evaluative reflection — considering the impact of the research experience on the student as a learner

  • Growth — showing how the student has developed new skills or changed their perspective during the project

  • Transfer of learning — explaining how skills like time management or research can be used in other studies or future careers

Mandatory requirements and consequences

• If the RPF is missing from the submission, Criterion E will automatically receive zero marks

• A form that is submitted blank or written in a different language than the essay will also result in a mark of zero

• The supervisor must initial the form to authenticate — prove the work is the student’s own — and confirm that the three sessions took place

  • The completed RPF is initialled and dated by the supervisor

• Unlike previous guides, the supervisor's own comments are no longer included on the RPF