The Extended Essay is composed of independent, self-directed research, culminating in a 4,000-word research paper. Pupils normally choose a topic from one of their six chosen subjects for those taking the IB diploma, or a subject that a course pupil has a background in.
Key Elements of the Extended Essay
- Formal piece of academic writing, 4,000 English words (or 4,800 Chinese characters), accompanied by a reflection of no more than 500 English words (or 600 Chinese characters)
- Students must choose a subject for their essay from the list of Diploma Programme subjects in the Diploma Programme Assessment procedures for the session in question.
- Work under the guidance of a supervisor in the school, who is usually one of the pupil's subject teachers
- Besides informal meetings and ‘check-ins’, candidates meet with their supervisor for three formal sessions to complete the Reflection on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF). Ends with a Viva Voce, final reflection session with supervising teacher
- The five assessment criteria are common for all subjects and applied to all essays, though examiners, candidates and supervisors are encouraged to read the subject-specific interpretations of the criteria
- The EE and RPPF are externally assessed by an IB examiner for 34 marks
- Grade boundaries are applied to convert marks into letter grades. The letter grade from the EE is combined with the letter grade from Theory of Knowledge (TOK) to award up to 3 points toward the Diploma
- Must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma
- Candidates should spend at least 40 hours working on their essay
- Supervisors should spend between 3-5 hours supervising each candidate
