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

What is the purpose of the EE?

Understanding the extended essay

• The Extended Essay (EE) is an in-depth study of a focused topic that you choose yourself

• It provides you with the opportunity to engage in independent research on a topic of personal interest rather than one assigned by a teacher

• The process helps prepare you for university by developing high-level research, writing and intellectual discovery skills

• It creates a connection between Diploma Programme (DP) subjects and the core elements (theory of knowledge and creativity, activity, service) to support a more connected learning experience

Promoting independent inquiry and integrity

• The IB intends for the project to develop your skills in independent inquiry through a research process that is guided by a supervisor

  • Independent inquiry refers to the iterative process of asking your own questions, taking action to find answers and reflecting on what you have discovered

• A major goal of the essay is to ensure you understand and practice academic integrity throughout the research process

  • Academic integrity is a set of values where you act honestly and take responsibility for your work by always acknowledging the ideas and work of other people

  • Using AI to write the essay and present it as your own is dishonest; AI-generated material can be treated as a resource only if acknowledged and cited, and you must validate it using other sources.

Developing transferable skills

• Throughout the project, you will develop four key transferable skills, which are abilities that can be used in many different contexts in your future studies and career:

  • Research involves the ability to generate your own questions, find relevant information and evaluate the reliability of your sources

  • Self-management is the ability to organise your time effectively, meet your deadlines and navigate a large project independently

  • Agency means taking ownership and initiative over your own learning process and the final product

  • Reflection involves thinking critically about your learning experience and your personal growth as a researcher

What are the main requirements of the EE?

Formal requirements

• The extended essay is a formal piece of academic writing

  • Formal academic writing means using a structured approach, objective language and proper citations similar to a professional research paper

• The essay has a maximum word count of 4,000 words

  • Upper limit: 4,000 words. Examiners are instructed not to read or assess anything beyond this limit.

  • Included: introduction, main body, conclusion, quotations; footnotes/endnotes unless they are purely references

  • Do not put essential argument in appendices/footnotes—examiners aren’t required to read these.

• The project requires approximately 40 hours of independent work from the student

• The EE is compulsory for all Diploma Programme (DP) students

Assessment and grading

• The essay is externally assessed which means it is marked by IB examiners outside of the school rather than your teacher

• The EE is graded on a scale from A to E

  • Grade A: Excellent performance

  • Grade E: Failing condition

• A student must achieve a D grade or higher in the extended essay to be awarded the diploma.

  • A Grade E in the extended essay is considered a failing condition for the entire diploma

Supervision and reflection

• Students must have a supervisor—a teacher at the school—to support them

• Supervisors provide 3–5 hours of guidance including check-ins and reading one draft of the essay

• Students must attend three mandatory reflection sessions with their supervisor

  • Attendance at these sessions is recorded on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF)

• You will submit a single reflective statement of no more than 500 words on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). This reflection is assessed under Criterion E

• Do not put essential argument in appendices/footnotes—examiners aren’t required to read these

• Your supervisors can read and comment on one draft only (your supervision cannot directly edit your essay)

• Your final draft must be handed in before the viva voce, and no changes are made afterwards.

Understanding the assessment criteria

• The extended essay is marked out of a total of 30 marks using five distinct criteria,,

• Criterion A: Framework for the essay (6 marks)

  • Assesses the quality of your Research Question (RQ)—the specific, focused question your essay aims to answer

  • Checks the suitability of your research methods and how well you have used structural conventions—the standard rules for how a formal academic paper is laid out

• Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding (6 marks)

  • Assesses how well you understand the subject and the specific terminology—the technical words used by experts in that field

  • Checks that you have used relevant materials to show your understanding of subject-specific concepts—the big ideas that help organise knowledge within a subject

• Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument (6 marks)

  • Assesses the quality of your analysis—the process of breaking down information to understand its essential parts

  • Checks for a sustained line of argument—a logical "thread" that connects your question, your research findings and your conclusion

• Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation (8 marks)

  • Assesses whether you have provided a balanced discussion—an investigation that looks at evidence from different points of view rather than just one side

  • Evaluates how well you have considered the strengths and limitations—the pros and cons—of your research and the evidence you used

• Criterion E: Reflection (4 marks)

  • Assesses your personal growth—the way you have developed your skills and changed your thinking throughout the project

  • Marks are awarded based only on your reflective statement—the 500-word piece you write on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF) after your final interview

  • The RPF must be completed in the same language as the essay. If it is missing/blank or in a different language, Criterion E is awarded zero.