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Are you currently writing your Biology EE? Don't worry, we are here to help you write an Extended Essay that will meet the new IB assessment criteria for first assessment in 2027. Keep reading for our suggestions based on the official IB EE rubric!
Biology EE Criteria and Checklist
You can receive as many as 30 points for your extended essay based on the following criteria:
Criterion A: Framework for the essay - 6 points
This criterion evaluates whether your research question, chosen research methods, and structural conventions create an effective foundation for your biology investigation. Your framework must be grounded in scientific methodology, typically involving the development of relevant hypotheses and replicable data collection. You must explain the suitability of your specific tools and procedures, ensuring they allow for a controlled investigation where independent and dependent variables are clearly defined. The structure should follow standard scientific conventions, including appropriately labelled tables and figures that facilitate the clear communication of your research findings.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Formulate your research question as a precise, focused question rather than a statement.
Explicitly define and justify all investigated biological variables, including units and specific concentrations or time periods.
Provide a methodology detailed enough to allow another researcher to replicate your entire experimental process exactly.
Use a table of contents and clear, informative headings to organize your essay into logical sections.
Ensure all diagrams and graphs are numbered, captioned, and appropriately referenced within the body of your text.
A good example can be seen here.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding - 6 points
To score well here, you must demonstrate a deep grasp of the biological subject matter and the wider academic context of your research. This involves the accurate and consistent application of subject-specific terminology to show you understand the underlying processes. You are expected to use relevant research materials, which include peer-reviewed scientific publications and established databases. Your understanding is also shown through the effective use of key concepts to frame your investigation.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Integrate relevant biological terminology consistently throughout your writing.
Explain the underlying biological processes and theories that govern your topic.
Reference current, peer-reviewed scientific literature to establish the wider disciplinary context of your specific research question.
Apply the International System of Units (SI) correctly and consistently for all measurements and data points.
Avoid over-quoting; instead, synthesize information from sources into your own academic voice to demonstrate personal understanding.
Click here to read an EE that does this well.
Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument - 6 points
This criterion focuses on your ability to break down biological data into essential elements to reach relevant findings. Your essay must maintain a clear, sustained line of argument that logically connects your research question to your data analysis and conclusions. In Biology, this analysis should involve standard scientific processes, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, mathematical transformations, or statistical tests where appropriate. You must ensure that every point of analysis is backed by evidence from your research.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Maintain a reasoned line of inquiry that explicitly links each section's findings back to your original research question.
Relevant raw data should be presented in the main body of the text. Include extensive raw data in an appendix, but perform all statistical processing and data manipulation yourself.
Use mathematical uncertainties and error bars in your data representation to show a high level of scientific rigour.
Focus your analysis strictly on addressing the research question, omitting any other information that doesn't align with your argument.
Establish mini-conclusions throughout the body of the essay to help support the logical progression of your essay.
This EE is a good example of the above.
Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation - 8 points
This criterion requires a balanced, critical review of your findings. You must discuss the significance of your results in a scientific context, weighing them against established theories or secondary research. Evaluation is crucial; you need to honestly evaluate your methodology, identifying specific strengths and limitations. This includes discussing negative results where data might contradict your hypothesis, as these are scientifically valid for critical reflection. Finally, you should summarize your findings into a well-founded conclusion that considers broader implications.
For a maximum of 8 points:
Compare your primary experimental results with values found in published scientific literature to discuss their significance.
Critically evaluate your methodology by identifying specific sources of error and their impact on the reliability of your data.
Propose specific, actionable improvements or extensions to your investigation based on the limitations you identified.
Ensure your final conclusion is a synthesis of findings that directly answers the research question holistically rather than just a summary of results.
Explicitly discuss the reliability and validity of the secondary sources or databases you used in your research.
A strong example can be read here.
Criterion E: Reflection - 4 points
This criterion is applied solely to the 500-word reflective statement on your Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). This statement should evaluate your journey as a learner, providing specific examples of how you responded to challenges or how your perspective changed. You must demonstrate growth by explaining how the skills you acquired can be transferred to other academic or real-life contexts. The reflections must be written in the same language as your essay and recorded after your three mandatory sessions with your supervisor.
For a maximum of 4 points:
Reflect on how your initial understanding of biological concepts evolved or deepened through the process of literature review and experimentation.
Provide concrete examples of how you overcame specific obstacles, such as equipment failure or data inconsistencies.
Detail exactly how you intend to apply the scientific research skills you learned to your future university studies or career.
Discuss how the feedback from your three mandatory reflection sessions (initial, interim, and viva voce) specifically impacted your decision-making.
A good example can be found here.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Biology criteria. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
Are you currently writing your Biology EE? Don't worry, we are here to help you write an Extended Essay that will meet the new IB assessment criteria for first assessment in 2027. Keep reading for our suggestions based on the official IB EE rubric!
Biology EE Criteria and Checklist
You can receive as many as 30 points for your extended essay based on the following criteria:
Criterion A: Framework for the essay - 6 points
This criterion evaluates whether your research question, chosen research methods, and structural conventions create an effective foundation for your biology investigation. Your framework must be grounded in scientific methodology, typically involving the development of relevant hypotheses and replicable data collection. You must explain the suitability of your specific tools and procedures, ensuring they allow for a controlled investigation where independent and dependent variables are clearly defined. The structure should follow standard scientific conventions, including appropriately labelled tables and figures that facilitate the clear communication of your research findings.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Formulate your research question as a precise, focused question rather than a statement.
Explicitly define and justify all investigated biological variables, including units and specific concentrations or time periods.
Provide a methodology detailed enough to allow another researcher to replicate your entire experimental process exactly.
Use a table of contents and clear, informative headings to organize your essay into logical sections.
Ensure all diagrams and graphs are numbered, captioned, and appropriately referenced within the body of your text.
A good example can be seen here.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding - 6 points
To score well here, you must demonstrate a deep grasp of the biological subject matter and the wider academic context of your research. This involves the accurate and consistent application of subject-specific terminology to show you understand the underlying processes. You are expected to use relevant research materials, which include peer-reviewed scientific publications and established databases. Your understanding is also shown through the effective use of key concepts to frame your investigation.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Integrate relevant biological terminology consistently throughout your writing.
Explain the underlying biological processes and theories that govern your topic.
Reference current, peer-reviewed scientific literature to establish the wider disciplinary context of your specific research question.
Apply the International System of Units (SI) correctly and consistently for all measurements and data points.
Avoid over-quoting; instead, synthesize information from sources into your own academic voice to demonstrate personal understanding.
Click here to read an EE that does this well.
Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument - 6 points
This criterion focuses on your ability to break down biological data into essential elements to reach relevant findings. Your essay must maintain a clear, sustained line of argument that logically connects your research question to your data analysis and conclusions. In Biology, this analysis should involve standard scientific processes, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, mathematical transformations, or statistical tests where appropriate. You must ensure that every point of analysis is backed by evidence from your research.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Maintain a reasoned line of inquiry that explicitly links each section's findings back to your original research question.
Relevant raw data should be presented in the main body of the text. Include extensive raw data in an appendix, but perform all statistical processing and data manipulation yourself.
Use mathematical uncertainties and error bars in your data representation to show a high level of scientific rigour.
Focus your analysis strictly on addressing the research question, omitting any other information that doesn't align with your argument.
Establish mini-conclusions throughout the body of the essay to help support the logical progression of your essay.
This EE is a good example of the above.
Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation - 8 points
This criterion requires a balanced, critical review of your findings. You must discuss the significance of your results in a scientific context, weighing them against established theories or secondary research. Evaluation is crucial; you need to honestly evaluate your methodology, identifying specific strengths and limitations. This includes discussing negative results where data might contradict your hypothesis, as these are scientifically valid for critical reflection. Finally, you should summarize your findings into a well-founded conclusion that considers broader implications.
For a maximum of 8 points:
Compare your primary experimental results with values found in published scientific literature to discuss their significance.
Critically evaluate your methodology by identifying specific sources of error and their impact on the reliability of your data.
Propose specific, actionable improvements or extensions to your investigation based on the limitations you identified.
Ensure your final conclusion is a synthesis of findings that directly answers the research question holistically rather than just a summary of results.
Explicitly discuss the reliability and validity of the secondary sources or databases you used in your research.
A strong example can be read here.
Criterion E: Reflection - 4 points
This criterion is applied solely to the 500-word reflective statement on your Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). This statement should evaluate your journey as a learner, providing specific examples of how you responded to challenges or how your perspective changed. You must demonstrate growth by explaining how the skills you acquired can be transferred to other academic or real-life contexts. The reflections must be written in the same language as your essay and recorded after your three mandatory sessions with your supervisor.
For a maximum of 4 points:
Reflect on how your initial understanding of biological concepts evolved or deepened through the process of literature review and experimentation.
Provide concrete examples of how you overcame specific obstacles, such as equipment failure or data inconsistencies.
Detail exactly how you intend to apply the scientific research skills you learned to your future university studies or career.
Discuss how the feedback from your three mandatory reflection sessions (initial, interim, and viva voce) specifically impacted your decision-making.
A good example can be found here.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Biology criteria. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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