Extended Essay Grade Boundaries

Are you planning your IB coursework and looking for the points needed to achieve specific grades? This guide provides the grade boundaries for the Extended Essay, helping you plan your academic pursuits effectively. Keep in mind that these thresholds vary between sessions, serving as approximate benchmarks for grade attainment. Nonetheless, utilize this resource as a valuable planning aid!
 

The following grade boundaries are based on the official IB May 2025 grade boundaries. 

How to get an A in the Extended Essay

Here are some tips to ensure you score a high mark in any subject's EE:

• Have a focused research question  – A focused research question guides your investigation and ensures you have a clear vision for your EE. You should aim to have a specific research question that clearly outlines your main goals for the essay. For example, science EEs should clearly outline the independent and dependent variables. 

   

• Use relevant sources – Your EE is meant to be a deep dive into a specific topic. You need to demonstrate that you have conducted thorough research using credible and relevant sources to answer your research question adequately. You should try using journal articles, primary research, literary texts, datasets, or archival materials (depending on the EE subject) when possible, while avoiding websites or non-fact-checked sources.

   

• Have a logical flow of ideas – Ensure your ideas flow smoothly from section to section. Your EE should present a clear argument that develops gradually and logically. Each section of your EE should connect to the main research question and build toward a well-supported conclusion.

   

• Be evaluative – Showing evidence of critical thinking is essential to receiving an A. Depending on the subject, you should evaluate methodologies, recognize biases, compare conflicting viewpoints, and/or consider alternative interpretations of the stimulus. A strong EE should go beyond mere descriptions and should instead evaluate the information critically and from various perspectives.

   

• Have an engaging RPPF – While researching, drafting and writing the actual EE is very important, completing the Reflections on Progress and Planning Form (RPPF) is also an integral component of the EE, as it can give you up to 6 marks. Ensure your RPPF reflections are genuine and appropriate for each stage of your EE journey. You should discuss factors like how you arrived at your research question, how you navigated any challenges, and what you would do differently in future.