Extended Essay
The Extended Essay is an independent, 4,000-word research paper. Students choose a topic from one of their six IB subjects and work under the guidance of a supervisor.
- 4,000
- word limit
- 6
- subjects to choose from
- 40
- hours of recommended work
- 3
- core points with TOK
One question, followed properly
Students take a subject they are studying, narrow it to a single research question, and answer it in an essay of up to 4,000 words. The IB assesses the essay externally and reports a grade from A to E.
Together with Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay earns up to three additional points towards the diploma. An E in either one means the diploma is not awarded.
Guidance from a subject teacher
Every student is paired with a teacher of the chosen subject. The supervisor gives three to five hours of guidance across the process, reads one complete draft, comments on it once, and signs off the final version.
Three conversations with your supervisor
The three sessions are written up on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF), which is submitted with the essay and assessed alongside it.
First session
Early on, the student and supervisor settle the topic, the initial research question, and how the research will be approached.
Interim session
Midway through, they review what the research has produced and whether the question still holds.
Viva voce
After submission, the supervisor interviews the student briefly on what was learned and how the essay came together.
From first idea to viva voce
Five checkpoints between choosing a topic and defending the finished essay. The coordinator confirms exact dates at the start of each school year.
- October
choose topic and supervisor
- November
submit research proposal
- January
first draft
- March
final version
- April
viva voce (oral defence)
Guides and policies
The school EE guide is in preparation and will appear under Policies and guides. Until then, the IB pages and the academic integrity policy cover the essentials.