What Is the IB Extended Essay?

Whether you’re about to start the International Baccalaureate (IB) or you’re just looking at your post-16 options, chances are you’ve heard rumblings about the Extended Essay (EE). It can sound like a big, intimidating project, but in reality, it’s just a structured way to explore something you’re genuinely interested in. And it’s a great way to show off some academic skills.

Rather than thinking of it as a hurdle, try seeing it as an opportunity. The EE lets you choose a topic you care about and dig into it properly, almost like becoming a specialist in that area. By the time you’re done, you’ll have created something that not only ticks the IB boxes but also reflects your curiosity and ideas.

Eager to find out more about what the Extended Essay is for IB? Our comprehensive guide has you covered.

Key Takeaways

• The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research project required for all IB Diploma students.

• It's worth up to 3 points towards your final IB score when combined with Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

• You'll choose your own topic and research question in a subject you're genuinely interested in.

• The process takes around 40-50 hours of work spread across several months.

• It prepares you brilliantly for university-style research and writing.

Overview of the IB Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word piece of writing that every IB Diploma student must complete.

This is your chance to become a researcher. You pick a subject you're studying (or even an interdisciplinary topic), come up with your own research question, and spend months investigating it thoroughly.

As one part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) core, the EE sits alongside Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). These three elements form the heart of your IB experience.

There are a lot of acronyms to get your head around, but the key ones are:

• IBDP - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

• EE - Extended Essay

• TOK - Theory of Knowledge

• CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service

What makes the Extended Essay special is that it's entirely yours. Unlike your regular coursework, you choose the topic, design the research question, and decide how to approach your investigation.

The maximum word count for the Extended Essay is 4000 words, and you'll also need to complete a reflection form of around 500 words.

Why Is the Extended Essay Important?

The EE isn't just a mammoth assignment. This is a piece of research that will prepare you for something much bigger: university life.

No matter which university you go to, you'll need to conduct independent research, manage long-term projects, and write substantial academic papers. The EE gives you a head start on all these skills whilst you're still in school. You’ll be reading academic-level texts, organising your sources, and getting used to citing them using different referencing styles.

The EE is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for TOK, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma. It might not seem like much, but those bonus points could make the difference between meeting your university offer or not.

In addition to the points, the EE builds incredible skills. You'll learn to: 

• Evaluate sources critically

• Construct complex arguments

• Manage your time effectively

• Communicate your ideas clearly 

These key attributes will be incredibly beneficial throughout your academic and professional life.

For many students, the Extended Essay becomes one of their proudest achievements. And why wouldn’t it? There's something powerful about spending months researching a topic you care about and producing a substantial piece of academic work.

What Does the Extended Essay Involve?

The Extended Essay is intense. It’s a process that unfolds over several months, typically starting in your first year of IB and concluding in your second year. The EE journey tends to follow these stages:

1. Choosing your subject area and brainstorming potential topics. This stage is really important. You'll be living with this topic for months, so make sure you pick something that genuinely interests you.

2. Developing your research question. This needs to be focused enough to investigate thoroughly in 4,000 words, but broad enough to allow for meaningful analysis.

3. Being assigned a supervisor. This is a teacher who will guide you through the journey. The supervision process for this is around 2 to 5 hours and involves three mandatory meetings to check your progress and provide guidance.

4. The research phase. This involves gathering sources, conducting investigations, and collecting evidence to answer your research question. This might include reading academic papers, carrying out interviews, analysing data, or performing experiments.

5. Writing up your findings. This is your completed piece of work, complete with proper referencing and a clear argument structure.

And, throughout the process, you'll complete reflection sessions, thinking critically about your research journey and what you've learned.

Choosing a Topic for Your EE

If you have a lot of interests, it can be tricky to narrow down your topic. Alternatively, if you have very specific areas of learning that you enjoy, choosing your topic might be easy. Nevertheless, picking the right topic is absolutely crucial for your Extended Essay success. The best topics come from real curiosity and personal interest.

Start by thinking about which subjects you enjoy most. 

• Are you fascinated by the science behind climate change? 

• Do historical mysteries intrigue you? 

• Are you passionate about literature from a particular culture?

Your research question should be specific enough to investigate thoroughly. Instead of "How does social media affect teenagers?", try "How has Instagram usage affected body image perceptions among 16-18 year olds in urban areas?"

Think about what resources you'll have access to. If you're interested in a historical topic, are there sufficient primary sources available? For a science topic, do you have access to the necessary equipment or data?

Remember, you'll be spending months on this topic. You need to choose something that will hold your attention and you won’t get bored of. Go for a topic that excites you, not something you think will impress others.

The most successful EEs combine personal interest with academic rigour. Students often choose topics that connect to their own experiences, cultural background, or career aspirations.

Tips for Succeeding in the Extended Essay

By the time you complete your Extended Essay, you should be a dab hand at organisation because time management quickly becomes your best friend. The approximate time for writing an Extended Essay is 40-50 hours, so spread this work across several months rather than cramming it into a few weeks. 

Here are some more tips to help you through the EE journey:

• Create a realistic timeline with specific deadlines for each stage. Include buffer time for setbacks. Research rarely goes exactly to plan.

• Start your research early and cast a wide net to begin with. You can always narrow your focus, but it's harder to broaden a topic that's too specific.

• Keep detailed notes as you research. Record not just the information you find, but also your thoughts about how it relates to your research question.

• When writing, remember your audience. Your Extended Essay should be accessible to someone educated, but not necessarily an expert in your field.

• Don't try to cover everything. Something focused and in-depth is much stronger than a broad overview.

• Stay in regular contact with your supervisor. They're there to help, so don't be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance when you're stuck.

• Don't let perfectionism paralyse you. Your first draft won't be perfect, and that's okay. The key is to start writing and then refine your work through multiple drafts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the IB Extended Essay?

The maximum word count for the Extended Essay is 4,000 words. This doesn't include your abstract, contents page, references, or appendices, so your actual document will end up being longer than 4,000 words.

The word limit is a maximum, not a target. It's better to write a focused, well-argued 3,500-word essay than to pad out your work with unnecessary content just to reach 4,000 words.

What subjects can I write my Extended Essay in?

Any subject offered by the IB Diploma Programme can form the basis for your Extended Essay. This includes English, sciences, mathematics, history, geography, economics, psychology, and many others. The IB also offers interdisciplinary Extended Essays that combine multiple subjects, such as environmental systems and societies or world studies. 

For the complete list of available subjects and their specific requirements, check the official IB Extended Essay subject guidelines on (opens in a new tab)the IB website (opens in a new tab).

Do I need to cite sources in the Extended Essay?

Absolutely, this is essential. Academic integrity is crucial in the Extended Essay, and proper referencing shows that you understand the importance of crediting another academic if you cite their work. You must cite all sources you use, whether they're books, journal articles, websites, interviews, or any other type of source.

The IB doesn't prescribe a specific referencing style, but your school will likely have a preference. Common styles include MLA, APA, or Harvard referencing. Whatever style you choose, use it consistently throughout your essay.

How many points is the EE worth in the IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay doesn't have a points value on its own. Instead, it combines with your Theory of Knowledge grade to contribute up to three points to your final IB score.

Both the EE and TOK are graded from A to E. For instance, scoring an A in EE and TOK will earn you a maximum of 3 points, the highest possible score. Even if you get lower grades, you can still earn 1 or 2 bonus points depending on your performance in both components.

If you’re keen to understand more about the IB points system, check out our detailed IB grades guide.

Get Ready for Extended Essay Success

The Extended Essay might feel a little overwhelming right now, but remember, it’s not about being perfect from the start. It really is a learning journey. It’s about curiosity, persistence, and learning how to handle a project that’s entirely your own. You’ll learn new skills such as managing your time, building an argument, academic referencing, and thinking critically about the world around you.

Yes, there will be challenges, but there will also be moments where things click and you realise just how far you’ve come. And when you submit your final piece of work, you’ll have an essay to be proud of and proof that you can take on big ideas and make them your own.

References

IB - Extended Essay Guidance (opens in a new tab)