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Is it finally time to start working on your Chemistry extended essay? We are here to help you throughout the process. Begin your preparations by getting to know the assessment criteria for the new syllabus from 2027 onwards. Keep reading for our suggestions based on the official IB EE rubric!
Chemistry EE Criteria and Checklist
The Chemistry extended essay is graded out of a total of 30 points based on the following criteria:
Criterion A: Framework for the essay - 6 points
This criterion checks if you have built a solid foundation for your chemistry research. It focuses on whether your research question is clear and if your chosen experimental or data-based methods actually make sense for answering it. In Chemistry, this means your methodology must involve things like controlled variables and a standardized approach that someone else could follow to get the same results. You also need to follow the right format for a science paper, using clear headings and making sure all your chemistry tables and charts are labelled correctly so the reader can easily follow your work.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Make sure your research question is phrased as an actual question and includes specific chemical names, concentrations, and temperatures.
When writing your method, include every single step, piece of glassware, and chemical used so that a student in another school could exactly replicate your lab work.
Explicitly list and explain your independent, dependent, and controlled variables in a clear table to show you understand the experimental design.
Ensure every table and graph has a unique figure number and a descriptive title that explains exactly what the data represents.
Organize your essay with standard scientific sections like "Introduction," "Methodology," "Results," and "Discussion" in your Table of Contents and main body of the essay.
A good example can be seen here.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding - 6 points
To do well here, you need to show that you really know your chemistry. It’s not just about doing an experiment; it’s about explaining the science behind it using the right terminology. You should show how your specific experiment fits into the larger world of chemistry by referencing textbooks or scientific journals. Everything in your essay - from the symbols you use for elements to the way you write units (like using SI units) - should be consistent and accurate.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Always define technical terms or chemical theories the first time you mention them.
Apply the International System of Units (SI) correctly and consistently for all measurements and data points.
Integrate high-quality sources, like peer-reviewed journals or chemistry databases, to explain the theoretical background of your reaction.
Double-check that all chemical formulas use proper subscripts and superscripts throughout the entire document.
Explain the chemistry of why a certain reagent was chosen, rather than just stating that you used it.
Click here for a good example of the above.
Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument - 6 points
This is where you show off your data-crunching skills. You need to take your raw numbers and turn them into something meaningful, like a graph or a calculated value. The IB wants to see a "reasoned thread" throughout your essay. This means every piece of data you analyze should lead the reader closer to answering your main research question. It’s important to stay focused; if a piece of data doesn’t help answer your question, it shouldn't be in the main body of your essay.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Process your raw data using appropriate chemical calculations, such as finding the mean, standard deviation, or other calculations that are relevant to your research question.
Include a sample calculation for every type of math you do so the examiner can see exactly how you reached your final values.
Explain how your data helps answer your overall research question.
When plotting graphs, ensure you include error bars and a line of best fit to show the reliability and trends in your chemical data.
Present your raw data in the appendix if it is very long, but keep the processed summary tables in the main text where the argument is happening.
This EE effectively meets the above.
Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation - 8 points
This criterion focuses on critical thinking. You need to look at your results and explain what they actually mean in a scientific context. This is also the place to be honest about what went wrong. You should discuss the limitations of your equipment or method and suggest real ways to make the experiment better. Even if your experiment didn't work the way you expected, a strong scientific evaluation of those negative results can still earn high marks.
For a maximum of 8 points:
Compare your experimental results with literature values from reliable chemistry journal articles and calculate the percentage error.
Specifically identify if errors in your data were systematic (like an uncalibrated balance) or random (like judging a colour change).
Suggest specific, high-level improvements. For example, instead of saying "get a better clock", suggest using a "vernier colourimeter with a data logger".
Discuss the significance of your findings: do they support the chemical theory you introduced in the beginning, or do they suggest something else?
End with a summative conclusion that clearly answers your research question based on the evidence you presented in the essay.
A strong example can be found here.
Criterion E: Reflection - 4 points
The final criterion is all about your personal journey. You’ll write a 500-word statement on a special form (the RPF) after meeting with your supervisor three times. Don’t just describe what you did; explain how you grew as a scientist. Talk about the brainstorming moments, the times you had to change your mind because the data was inconclusive, and how the skills you learned will help you in the future.
For a maximum of 4 points:
Use the "Researcher’s Reflection Space" (RRS) throughout the year to jot down when you feel stuck or when you solve a big problem in the lab.
Give specific examples of when you had to change your research direction because of any issues that came up during the research process.
Explain a specific new lab technique or software (like LoggerPro or a specific titration method) that you mastered during your research.
Reflect on how your sessions with your supervisor helped you move past a specific block in your writing or data analysis.
Describe how this experience has changed how you view the process of doing real-world chemistry research.
A good reflection can be found in this EE.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Chemistry 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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