What Is the Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, 4,000-word research paper that every IB Diploma student must complete, usually on a topic connected to one of their six DP subjects. It's the closest thing most DP students do to university-level research before actually reaching university and together with TOK; it can contribute up to 3 extra points toward the DP's 45-point total.

What the EE Involves

• A self-chosen research question, refined with guidance from a supervising teacher
• Roughly 40 hours of independent work spread across the two years of the DP
• A maximum of 4,000 words of formal academic writing, following the citation conventions of the chosen subject
• A Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF), where students document three formal reflection sessions with their supervisor

How the EE Is Assessed

The EE is graded externally by IB examiners against five criteria: focus and method, knowledge and understanding, critical thinking, presentation, and engagement (drawn largely from the RPPF reflections). It receives a letter grade from A to E, which combines with the TOK grade on a matrix to determine the bonus points added to the DP total.

Choosing an EE Topic

• Pick a subject you're genuinely curious about 40 hours is a long time to spend on something you don't care about
• Narrow a broad interest into a specific, answerable research question rather than a broad theme
• Check that primary or credible secondary sources are actually accessible for your topic
• Avoid questions that are purely descriptive examiners reward analysis and argument, not just summary

How the EE Matrix and Bonus Points Work

The Extended Essay is evaluated on a scale from Grade A (Excellent) down to Grade E (Elementary). Rather than operating as an isolated score, your EE grade is combined with your Theory of Knowledge (TOK) grade on a 3-point matrix to determine your overall core bonus points toward the maximum 45-point Diploma score. Scoring an A on both the EE and TOK yields the maximum 3 bonus points, whereas receiving an E in either component results in an automatic failing condition for the entire IB Diploma, regardless of your overall point count.

The Extended Essay Timeline and Milestones

Completing the EE is a two-year process designed to mirror university-level research. During the first year of the DP, students select their subject area, secure a teacher supervisor, and formulate a focused research question. The mid-way point involves conducting primary or secondary research and submitting a formal draft for supervisor feedback. In the final year DP2, students revise their draft, complete their final reflection session, and submit the 4,000-word paper alongside their mandatory Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF).

Understanding Subject-Specific EE Methodologies

The structure and methodology of your EE depend heavily on the subject group you select. A Literature essay focuses on the critical analysis of set texts, evaluating literary devices and thematic elements. Conversely, a Science essay requires empirical data, usually collected through hands-on laboratory experimentation or data modeling. If you choose a Humanities subject like History or Economics, your paper must rely on rigorous source evaluation, historical historiography, or economic data analysis rather than simple narrative summaries.

How Examiners Grade Your EE

IB examiners evaluate every Extended Essay out of 34 total marks distributed across five core criteria:

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks) Assesses the clarity of your research question, topic choice, and methodology.
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks) Evaluates your use of subject-specific terminology and contextual background.
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks) The heaviest weighted section, judging your research analysis, argument construction, and evaluation of evidence.
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks) Checks structural layout, table of contents, citations, and formal academic formatting.
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks) Evaluates your personal initiative, reflection quality, and intellectual process as demonstrated in your RPPF reflections.

Related Reading

• What is the IB? A Complete Guide to the International Baccalaureate
• What is TOK?
• What Is CAS in the IB?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the EE be in any subject?

It must be based on one of the six DP subject groups the student is studying and needs a supervisor qualified in that subject.

Is the EE the same as the Personal Project?

No, the Personal Project is the equivalent capstone for MYP students ages 11 to 16, the EE is specific to the DP ages 16 to 19 and is a formal research essay rather than a broader creative or community project.

What happens if I fail the EE?

A very low grade on the EE combined with a low TOK grade can result in a failing condition for the overall diploma, since the EE is a mandatory core component, not an optional extra.

Working on your Extended Essay? Our full guide on How to Write a Perfect IB EE walks through topic selection, structure, and common mistakes step by step.