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Getting ready to start your EE? Taking a closer look at the assessment criteria can really help you craft a strong, high-scoring paper. In this post, we’ll break down each criterion based on the latest IB guidelines to set you up for success.
EE Criteria and Checklist
You can receive as many as 30 marks for your extended essay based on the following criteria:
Criterion A: Framework for the essay – 6 points
This criterion examines the fundamental structure of your investigation, ensuring it is built on a solid academic foundation. It assesses whether your research question is appropriate for a 4,000-word limit and if your selected methodology is actually capable of answering it. Beyond the research itself, this section rewards the use of proper structural conventions that allow your ideas to be communicated clearly and logically to the examiner.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Ensure your research question is clear, focused, and relevant to the chosen topic.
Frame your inquiry as an actual question rather than a statement of intent to maintain focus.
Explain and effectively apply research methods that are suitable for your specific inquiry.
Follow structural conventions, such as an introduction, body, and conclusion, that effectively support the communication of your research.
Include all required formal elements: a title page, contents page, and a bibliography or reference list.
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding – 6 points
In this criterion, the focus is on how well you have mastered the subject matter and the professional language of your chosen discipline. You must demonstrate that your work is grounded in comprehensive research rather than general knowledge. This is achieved by moving beyond simple definitions to show a sophisticated grasp of relevant concepts and using technical terminology with high accuracy and consistency.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Use comprehensive and relevant research materials to establish deep knowledge of your subject matter.
Apply subject-specific terminology accurately and consistently throughout the essay to show a professional understanding of the field.
Incorporate subject-related terms naturally into your writing rather than just listing them.
Explain and use relevant concepts (the key ideas of your DP subjects) effectively to support your research.
Avoid over-quoting; your knowledge should be evident through your own original writing and explanations.
Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument – 6 points
This criterion analyzes your essay as a true research paper by evaluating your ability to deconstruct complex information. You are expected to process your findings into relevant insights rather than just repeating what others have said. A high-scoring essay must maintain a "thread" or line of argument that connects your initial question to your final conclusion without losing focus.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Ensure your analysis is effective and consistently produces findings directly derived from your research.
Break down your topic into essential elements to show you understand its structure.
Maintain a clear, sustained "line of argument" that logically connects your research question, findings, and conclusions.
Use logical connections to help the reader follow your reasoning through the essay.
Avoid a purely descriptive or narrative approach; every section must contribute to the analytical response of the research question.
Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation – 8 points
In this section, you must weigh the value of your own findings. Discussion involves looking at your research from multiple angles and providing a balanced view supported by evidence. Evaluation requires you to be honest about the process, explicitly identifying where your research was strongest and where limitations may have impacted your final conclusions.
For a maximum of 8 points:
Provide a balanced discussion of your findings that is fully supported by appropriate evidence.
Consider a range of different factors or perspectives rather than presenting only one side of an issue.
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of your essay by weighing the strengths and limitations of your research materials.
Show awareness of the stated or implied positions and biases of the writers you cite.
Reach a well-founded conclusion that is a synthesis of your findings rather than just a summary of what you wrote.
Criterion E: Reflection – 4 points
This criterion assesses your personal growth and the research process based on a 500-word reflective statement on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). You should evaluate how the experience has impacted you as a learner, providing specific examples of how you responded to challenges or how your perspective changed. Reflection should show evidence of transfer of learning and explain how skills like time management or critical thinking can be used in other contexts. These reflections are written after three mandatory sessions with your supervisor, including a final viva voce interview.
For a maximum of 4 points:
Provide consistently evaluative reflections on your learning experience with specific examples.
Use your Researcher’s Reflection Space (RRS) to log specific challenges faced during the process and how you solved them.
Demonstrate clear evidence of intellectual and personal growth throughout the EE journey.
Show "transfer of learning" by explaining how the skills you've gained can be used in other contexts, like future studies or careers.
Reflect on how changes in your perspective impacted your decision-making and the direction of your research.
Subject-specific EE requirements
Below is a list of posts for specific subjects, outlining the criteria for the Extended Essay in that subject:
We hope you found this post helpful. 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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