IB Diploma

The IB Extended Essay: a practical guide

8 min read · updated 2026-10-02

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research paper, and for students first assessed in May 2027 it is marked with new criteria. Together with TOK it is worth up to 3 Diploma points, and an E grade in either means no Diploma.

The criteria from May 2027

The essay is marked out of 30 across five criteria:

✓ A: Framework for the essay (6 marks): the research question, methods and structure
✓ B: Knowledge and understanding (6 marks)
✓ C: Analysis and line of argument (6 marks)
✓ D: Discussion and evaluation (8 marks), now the highest-weighted criterion
✓ E: Reflection (4 marks), assessed on a reflective statement of no more than 500 words informed by three reflection sessions with the supervisor

Choosing a research question

The strongest essays answer a narrow question that can be argued in 4,000 words, using sources or data the student can actually reach. 'How did X affect Y in Z between two dates?' is manageable; 'Was X good?' is not. A good test: can you imagine two reasonable answers to it?

A timeline that works

✓ DP1, spring: choose a subject and supervisor, read widely, draft three possible questions
✓ DP1, summer: settle the question and complete most of the research
✓ DP2, early autumn: full draft, then one round of supervisor feedback
✓ Final weeks: revise against the criteria, check citations and word count, complete the reflection

What a tutor can and cannot do

A tutor can teach research methods, help a student test a question, explain the criteria and show how to use feedback. A tutor cannot write, edit or rewrite any part of the essay: the IB requires the work to be the student's own, and the supervisor confirms it.