Guide to the IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibition

Feeling puzzled about the TOK Exhibition? This assessment does have a reputation for being mysterious. It can, however, be one of the most creative and interesting parts of your IB journey.

You get to explore some of the biggest questions humans have ever asked. How cool is that?

Whether you're just starting to think about your Exhibition or you're already knee-deep in planning, this guide will walk you through everything. I'll keep things simple, practical, and focused on helping you create something you can be genuinely proud of.

Key Takeaways

• The TOK Exhibition is your chance to explore big questions about knowledge using three real objects from the world around you.

• You'll choose one prompt from 35 options and show how your objects connect to deep questions about what we know and how we know it.

• This assessment counts for 33% of your final TOK grade and is marked by your teacher, then checked by external examiners.

• The key to success is picking objects you genuinely find interesting and making clear, thoughtful connections to your chosen prompt.

What Is the TOK Exhibition?

Think of the TOK Exhibition as your opportunity to become a knowledge detective. You get to investigate how knowledge works in the real world using three objects that fascinate you.

The Exhibition is one of two assessments in your TOK course (opens in a new tab). It's designed to help you apply all those big TOK concepts you've been learning to actual things you can see, touch, or experience.

Your teacher marks your Exhibition first (out of 10). The IB then checks a sample to make sure marking is fair across all schools worldwide. This process is called external moderation.

Here's what makes it important: the Exhibition contributes 33% to your final TOK grade (opens in a new tab). That's a significant chunk, so it's definitely worth putting in the effort. 

To find out more about how TOK can impact your final points total, take a look at Save My Exams comprehensive guide to the IB Grading System.

The brilliant thing about the Exhibition is that it lets you explore knowledge through things you care about. Whether it's a family photo, a scientific calculator, or a piece of street art, you can turn everyday objects into deep philosophical investigations.

Understanding the IA Prompts For The TOK Exhibition

IA prompts are the big questions that drive your entire Exhibition. Think of them as conversation starters that get you thinking about knowledge in new ways.

The IB provides 35 official prompts (opens in a new tab), and you must choose just one to focus your Exhibition around. These questions are carefully crafted to help you explore different aspects of how knowledge works.

Some prompts ask about what counts as knowledge. Others explore how we gain knowledge or whether some knowledge is more reliable than others. Each prompt opens up different philosophical pathways for you to investigate.

The trick is choosing a prompt that genuinely interests you. Don't just pick one because it seems easy or because your friend chose it. You'll be living with this prompt for weeks, so make sure it's something you actually want to think deeply about.

Spend time reading through all 35 prompts before deciding. Often, the one that makes you pause and think "That's actually a really good question" is the right choice for you.

You can see some sample prompts in the IB TOK Programme Guide (opens in a new tab).

Choosing the Right Objects

• Objects are the heart of your Exhibition. They're the tangible things that help you explore your chosen prompt in concrete ways.

• An object can be something physical you can touch, or something digital that actually exists online. 

• It has to be specific. You need particular objects, not general categories. For example, "a photograph" is too vague. But "the photograph of Earth taken from Apollo 8 in 1968" is perfect.

• Your three objects should offer different angles on your prompt. Consider mixing cultural objects, personal items, academic materials, or global phenomena.

• Strong objects often have stories behind them. They connect to human experiences, scientific discoveries, historical moments, or cultural traditions. Weak objects tend to be generic stock photos or random items with no real significance.

• Avoid objects that are too obvious or overused. Each object can only be used by one student (opens in a new tab) in each class, so try to select something nobody else will. 

How to Link Objects to the Prompt

This is where the magic happens. Your objects aren't just random things. They're carefully chosen tools for investigating your prompt.

Each object should illuminate a different aspect of your chosen question. Think about what each object reveals, challenges, or demonstrates about knowledge.

Let's look at some examples: 

• If your prompt asks "What counts as knowledge?", you might choose a medical textbook from the 1950s. This object reveals how what we considered "knowledge" has changed dramatically over time.

• For the prompt "Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?", a court transcript could be brilliant. Legal facts seem concrete, but court cases show how even "facts" can be interpreted differently by different people.

The strongest connections dig deep rather than staying on the surface. Don't just describe what your object is. Analyse what it shows us about knowledge itself.

Remember, you're not writing about the objects for their own sake. You're using them as windows into bigger questions about how knowledge works in the world.

Writing Your TOK Exhibition Commentary

Your commentary is where you bring everything together in writing. You have a maximum of 950 words (opens in a new tab) to explain your objects and their connections to your prompt.

• Start with a clear introduction. State your chosen prompt and briefly introduce your three objects. Think of this as setting the stage.

• The main body of your commentary should analyse each object in turn. For each one, explain what it is, why you chose it, and how it connects to your prompt.

• End with a conclusion that draws your insights together. What have your objects taught you about your prompt? What broader implications does this have for how we understand knowledge?

Make sure you also: 

• Use TOK terminology in your writing. Phrases like "knowledge claims," "ways of knowing," and "areas of knowledge" should appear when they're helpful for your analysis. Likewise words such as “evidence”, “values” and “interpretation”.

• Write clearly and directly. Avoid overly complex sentences or showing off with fancy vocabulary. The examiners want to see your thinking, not your thesaurus skills.

• Reference your sources with consistent citations throughout.

• Include a high quality image of each object.

• Include everything in typed text in a single file.

How Exhibitions are Assessed

The IB assesses your Exhibition using the core question of, “Does the exhibition successfully show how TOK manifests in the world around us?”.

Exhibitions are  marked on the overall impression of your work, on a scale out of 10. These essential criteria are used: 

1. Justification of objects: explaining why each object is relevant and significant for exploring your prompt in a real-world context. Don't just describe your objects - analyse why they're perfect choices for your investigation.

2. Effective links to prompt: making clear, thoughtful connections between your objects and your chosen question. The strongest work shows how objects illuminate different aspects of the prompt.

3. Demonstration of TOK thinking: showing you understand key TOK concepts and can apply them thoughtfully. This isn't about dropping in random TOK vocabulary - it's about genuine philosophical thinking.

The rubric rewards depth over breadth. It's better to explore fewer ideas thoroughly than to mention lots of concepts superficially. So, aim high by making your justifications clear, your connections strong, and your TOK thinking sophisticated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using vague or generic objects. Remember, specificity is crucial. "A painting" won't work, but "Guernica by Pablo Picasso" opens up rich possibilities.

• Failing to clearly link to the prompt happens when students get so excited about their objects that they forget to connect them. Every paragraph should somehow relate to your prompt.

• Writing descriptively instead of analytically. Don’t just tell us about your objects, explore what they reveal about knowledge. Move beyond "what" to "why" and "how."

• Ignoring TOK concepts. This is a TOK assessment, so you need to engage with TOK ideas, terminology, and ways of thinking throughout.

• Choosing objects just because they seem impressive rather than because they genuinely connect to your prompt often backfires. Relevance matters more.

Check your work against your chosen prompt regularly. It has to be followed exactly. If a paragraph doesn't connect to your prompt, either clarify the connection or cut it entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many objects do I need for the TOK Exhibition?

You need exactly three objects for your TOK Exhibition. This isn't flexible - not two, not four, but precisely three. Each object should offer a different perspective on your chosen prompt.

Can I use digital objects?

Absolutely! Digital objects are completely acceptable as long as they're specific and real. This could include particular websites, social media posts, online videos, or digital artworks. Just make sure you can clearly identify and access them.

How long should my commentary be?

Your commentary has a strict maximum limit of 950 words (typed, in a single file). There's no minimum, but you'll likely need most of that space to fully develop your ideas. Going over the limit means examiners will stop reading at 950 words exactly, so edit carefully.

Your Exhibition Journey Starts Here

The TOK Exhibition might feel like a big challenge right now, but it can honestly be one of the most rewarding parts of your IB experience. You get to explore massive philosophical questions through objects that matter to you.

Your teacher is there to guide you through the process, and with some curiosity, creativity, and careful planning, you can create an Exhibition that you're excited to share.

So, take your time choosing your prompt. Hunt for objects that spark your interest. Prepare to discover just how much depth and meaning you can find in the world around you.

The best Exhibitions come from students who followed their genuine interests rather than trying to impress anyone. Trust your instincts, and enjoy the journey of becoming a knowledge detective!

References 

• IB TOK Brief (opens in a new tab)

• IB TOK Guide  (opens in a new tab)