How is IB Extended Essay Graded? This is a common question lingering in the minds of many students. The IB Extended Essay is a research paper required for students undertaking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. It is an independent research assignment that allows students to explore a topic of their choice deeply. The essay is 4000 words long and usually written in the student’s chosen language.

An Extended Essay is a crucial part of the IB diploma program as it allows students to display their writing and research skills. It also allows students to explore a deeply interesting topic and help them build their critical thinking skills. The Extended Essay is required for students who wish to show their abilities to employers and universities.

How is IB Extended Essay Graded?

The IB extended essay grading is based on a set of criteria established by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The Extended Essay is graded on a scale of 0 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. The grade is determined by the student’s overall performance across several IB extended essay grading criteria, including:

Research question

This is the student’s ability to create a clear, focused research question appropriate for the subject. The research questions should showcase a proper understanding of the subject area and be relevant to the field of study. You should make the research question manageable, specific, and capable of being answered through research.

Introduction

The introduction should provide a clear and concise overview of the research topic and the essence of the research question. Additionally, it should clearly explain the research’s purpose, emphasize its importance, and justify why the research question is worthwhile to investigate.

Investigation

This criterion assesses the student’s capacity to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the research question, making use of both primary and secondary sources. The investigation should be in-depth and showcase extensive research and reading. Students also ought to show an understanding of the methodology used in the research and explain why they chose a specific methodology.

Analysis and evaluation

This is the student’s ability to analyze and evaluate the information collected during research. The student should show an ability to examine the data critically and come to meaningful conclusions. The conclusions and analysis should be backed by proper evidence and point back to the research question.

Presentation

The ability of a student to present the research clearly, concisely, and logically is crucial for an outstanding Extended Essay. The paper should display a logical flow of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. The student should also display comprehension of the appropriate referencing and citation techniques.

Reflective statement

A reflective statement provides an evaluation of the research process and the importance of research. The student should reflect on their research methods, weaknesses and strengths, and the study’s significance. The student should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the research question and the significance of their findings in the reflective statement.

Role of the Extended Essay Supervisor

The Extended Essay supervisor is a teacher at the student’s school who guides the student throughout the writing and researching process. They are responsible for providing IB extended essay assessment and feedback on the student’s work and helping them improve their writing and research skills. The supervisor also approves the Extended Essay’s final papers and submits them to the IBO for grading.

Role of the Extended Essay Examiner

The IB teacher who grades the student’s Extended Essay is the Extended Essay Examiner. After

reading the essay, they will calculate the student’s grade using the standards set forth by the IBO. The examiner also offers feedback on the essay to help the student and their supervisor develop their abilities for future research. The examiner also confirms that the student’s essay is unique and composed.

Extended Essay Grades

IB diploma extended essay grading is graded on a scale of 0-36. Each student earns grades based on their performance in meeting the criteria established by the IBO. The examiner considers the effectiveness of the written communication, the quality of the analysis and evaluation, the research, and the depth of subject knowledge to determine the grades. No element of the essay is given more weight than any other; instead, the grade is based on the student’s overall performance.

The IBO announces the Extended Essay grade to the students. The student’s supervisor also gets a copy of the final grades with the examiner’s feedback. The IBO mostly provides feedback and grades to students in writing through mail or email. The grade is recorded on the student’s transcript and is part of the final diploma score.

Passing the Extended Essay

To pass the Extended Essay, a student must score a minimum of grade D. This typically means that the student has met the minimum requirements set by the IBO. It also means the student has a basic understanding of the research process and the topic. Remember that grade D is not good, and students should always aim higher.

The difficulty of passing an Extended Essay varies depending on the complexity of the topic,

student effort and dedication, and the research effort. But with proper guidance from a supervisor and proper research skills, any student can pass the essay

An Extended Essay is a requirement of the IB diploma program. It is worth up to 3 points toward the student’s overall diploma grade. Each student must earn a minimum grade of D on the Extended Essay to get their diploma. Students must show their research and writing skills to boost their chances of success in real life or higher education.

The Extended Essay is one of the significant factors universities and employers consider when looking at a student’s qualifications. Therefore, students must aim for top grades in the Extended Essay, showcase their writing and research skills, and boost their chances of succeeding in academia and employment.

What happens if you fail the Extended Essay?

So, what happens when a student fails the Extended Essay? Here are the three possible outcomes:

Resubmission of the Extended Essay

If students fail the Extended Essay, they can submit it for re-grading. The student will have to revise as per the feedback from the supervisor or examiner, and a different examiner will review the essay. The student will have limited time to resubmit the Extended Essay, and it will not be re-graded if the student is not submitted within the stipulated time frame.

IB extended essay grading and its impact on your diploma

The Extended Essay is worth up to 3 points out of the 34 points required to earn the diploma. If a student fails the EE, they will not receive the maximum points for the diploma. Nevertheless, the student will receive the diploma as long as they have met the other requirements, such as CAS components, passing the TOK and earning the minimum number of points.

Take another subject in place of the Extended Essay

Students who fail the Extended Essay can choose to take another subject instead of the Extended Essay. However, it’s important to note that this will not change the diploma score and will not replace the Extended Essay requirement.

Retaking the entire diploma program is an additional choice, but the student must also write a new Extended Essay. Students who failed the Extended Essay should talk to their manager and guidance counselor about their options to decide the best course of action. They must use the examiner and supervisor’s comments to advance their writing and research abilities for future academic assignments.

Tips for Scoring an A on your Extended Essay

Here are some tips for achieving a high grade on your IB Extended Essay and earn your desired grades:

Start early

Starting your Extended Essay early gives you more time to plan, research and organize your essay and make any necessary revisions. When you start early, you will also have time for

constructive criticism from your supervisor and make any necessary revisions before you submit your final essay.

Conducting thorough research

Do extensive research on your topic to get an A on your Extended Essay. To do this, you must gather various sources, including books, articles, and online tools. It’s crucial to analyze the sources critically and only include reliable information in your essay that is important and relevant to the topic.

Editing and checking your work for errors

It’s crucial to proofread and edit your work carefully. This entails proofreading the essay to

look for grammatical and spelling errors and consistency issues. Additionally, it’s critical to ensure that your paper adheres to academic writing standards and fulfils all IBO requirements.

Writing a clear and well-structured essay

Writing a clear, well-structured essay is essential if you want to receive an A on your Extended Essay. This requires proper sentence construction, grammar, logic, and a logical and coherent structure. An appropriate academic writing style and accurate citation of your sources are also crucial.

Choosing a relevant and exciting topic

You will find it simpler to conduct in-depth research and write a concise, well-organized essay if you select a relevant and exciting topic. Picking a subject related to your interests and passions is critical because it will make the research and writing processes more exciting and enjoyable.

Considering supervisor feedback

It’s critical to consider supervisor feedback. Your supervisor will offer valuable insights and feedback to bolster your chances of scoring an A in your Extended Essay.  Edit your essay in light of the advice and make any adjustments to improve it.

Follow the guidelines and rubrics

To ensure that you are addressing all of the crucial components that will be evaluated, you must adhere to the IB extended essay grading rubric. Thanks to these instructions and rubrics, you will have a clear understanding of what is expected of you and what areas you need to concentrate on to receive a good grade. Ensure you carefully read, comprehend, and adhere to the guidelines and rubrics.

The Bottom Line

The IB Extended Essay is a challenging and rigorous assignment that is graded based on several key factors. These include the student’s research question, the scope and depth of their analysis, the quality of their writing, and their adherence to the IB guidelines and formatting requirements. Trained IB assessors who use a standardized IB extended essay grading rubric to evaluate and grade the essays.  Understanding the criteria and expectations for the Extended Essay can help students to prepare better and produce a high-quality final product that earns a good grade. Hopefully, your “How is IB Extended Essay Graded” question is answered.

You may also like:

• Extended Essay: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2024)
• What is an Essay? The Complete Guide with Definition, Types, and Writing Tips
• Extended essay International Baccalaureate