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If you're wondering about the difference between the Extended Essay (EE) and the Internal Assessment (IA), we've got you covered. In this post we will break-down both so that you no longer feel confused.
IA vs EE
Overview: What are the Internal Assessment and Extended Essay?
The Internal Assessment
The Internal Assessment (IA) is an investigation, or piece of coursework completed for most subjects you take as part of the IB. Each IA is tailored to the nature of the specific subject and is intended to give students the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest within the framework and guidelines of that subject. In Biology, for instance, students conduct experimental work, in Geography students craft a paper based on completed fieldwork, while in History students investigate and analyse a historical event.
Unlike final exams, which are externally assessed, IAs are marked internally i.e. by your subject teachers at school. However, to ensure fairness and consistency across schools worldwide, a sample of the work is sent to IB examiners for external moderation. This means that while your teacher gives you a mark, the IB may adjust that mark slightly based on their review of the sample.
For more details about the IA, check out this dedicated post.
The Extended Essay
The Extended Essay (EE) is a central component of the IB Core, alongside Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS. It is an independent, self-directed piece of academic research that culminates in a formal paper of up to 4,000 words. The EE is designed to provide students with an opportunity to investigate a topic of personal interest within one of the IB subjects. The EE is fully externally assessed.
For more details about the IA, check out this dedicated post.
The Differences between the IA and EE
Scope and Subject Focus
In the Internal Assessments you do one IA per subject, so you’ll complete a total of six IAs. Each IA focuses specifically on the curriculum of that subject.
When it comes to the Extended Essay you choose one subject to do your EE in, and your research can go much deeper into that topic. You can choose whichever subject, even one that you don't study.
Length and Depth
The IA is typically between 1,800 and 3,000 words. The exact word count depends on the subject. Because of its shorter length, the IA is designed to assess your ability to apply subject-specific skills and knowledge to a narrower problem. The depth of research is more limited, and you're usually working with a relatively small dataset, concept, or a short historical period. The emphasis is on demonstrating your understanding of the subject matter and your ability to carry out a focused investigation, rather than conducting broad or highly original research.
In contrast, the EE is a much more substantial piece of work, with a maximum length of 4,000 words. It requires a deeper level of academic inquiry, critical thinking, and analysis. The EE mirrors the kind of academic writing expected at the undergraduate level and is an opportunity to explore a topic in significant depth, going beyond the classroom curriculum. The longer word count gives you the space to develop your ideas more fully and to reflect on your research process in a meaningful way.
Weighting and assessment
Each IA counts toward your final subject grade, usually 20–30%. Check out this post for IA weighting for all subjects.
The EE on the other hand is part of the IB Core, and it's assessed separately. Combined with TOK, it contributes up to 3 extra points to your overall IB score. To see how exactly the EE affects your final IB Score check out this post.
The Similarities between the IA and EE
Research and Independent Work
Both the IA and EE are rooted in research and inquiry. Whether you're running a science experiment, analysing a novel, or exploring a historical event, your work must be evidence-based. These assessments also emphasize independent work. While teachers and supervisors provide guidance, the responsibility for choosing the topic, conducting research, and writing is entirely yours.
The Writing Process
Both the IA and EE follow a very similar process from idea to final draft. You start by choosing a topic or area that interests you. You then check whether the topic is doable – you search for credible sources, or verify whether accurate data can be collected. Once you've collected enough sources/data, you formulate and refine a specific research question and begin drafting your paper. With your material in hand, you begin crafting your first draft. You then revise, refine, and edit your work until it is well-structured, clearly argued, and thoroughly supported by your research.
Academic Writing Standards
You are expected to follow formal academic conventions in both. That includes a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion, proper citations and referencing, a balanced, analytical tone, attention to detail in formatting and presentation.
Critical Thinking and Analysis
It’s not enough to gather facts – you need to analyse your findings, interpret data or texts, and reflect on their significance. Both the IA and EE assess your ability to think critically and draw reasoned conclusions.
We hope we were able to clarify how the EE and IA differ. If you want to support your writing process, there's a wide array of exemplars available at Clastify for each subject so make sure to have a look as they can be incredibly helpful for generating ideas and understanding how to structure your IAs and EE effectively. If you want to maximise your score, you can also use Clastify’s Review Service for extra support and personalised suggestions to improve your IAs and EE.
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