The Extended Essay is the component of the IB Diploma that most intimidates students — and most impresses universities. It's a 4,000-word independent research paper that demonstrates your daughter can think critically, research independently, and communicate her findings. This guide explains everything she needs to know.
If your daughter is starting the IB Diploma Programme, the Extended Essay (EE) will be one of the most significant academic challenges she faces. But it's also one of the most rewarding. A well-executed EE develops research skills, critical thinking, and intellectual independence — skills that universities and employers value highly.
What is the Extended Essay?
The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research paper that all IB Diploma students must complete. It's one of the three core components of the IB Diploma (alongside Theory of Knowledge and CAS). Students choose a subject, formulate a research question, conduct independent research, and write up their findings.
The EE is completed over approximately 40 hours of independent work, spread across the two years of the IB Diploma. Each student is assigned a supervisor (a teacher at their school) who provides guidance — but the research and writing are entirely the student's own.
The EE is graded A-E by external IB examiners. Together with the Theory of Knowledge essay, it contributes up to 3 bonus points toward the IB Diploma score (out of 45 total). While this seems small, these points can be the difference between meeting and missing university offer conditions.
Choosing a Subject for Your Extended Essay
Your daughter can write her EE in any IB subject she studies — and in some cases, in a subject she doesn't study but has a strong interest in. The most popular EE subjects include:
- History: Analysis of historical events, causes, consequences
- Physics: Experimental investigation or theoretical analysis
- Chemistry: Experimental investigation of a chemical phenomenon
- Biology: Experimental or field-based biological investigation
- English A: Literary analysis of one or more texts
- Economics: Analysis of an economic issue using primary/secondary data
- Psychology: Investigation of a psychological phenomenon
Key advice: Choose a subject your daughter genuinely enjoys. She'll spend 40+ hours on this essay — passion for the topic makes the difference between a chore and a pleasure.
Formulating a Research Question
The research question is the single most important element of the EE. A good research question is:
- Specific: Narrow enough to answer in 4,000 words
- Analytical: Requires analysis, not just description
- Researchable: Feasible to investigate with available resources
- Original: Not a question that has been answered a thousand times
- Subject-appropriate: Fits the methodology of the chosen subject
For example, “What caused World War II?” is too broad. “To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Nazi Germany between 1919 and 1933?” is specific, analytical, and researchable.
Structure of the Extended Essay
A well-structured Extended Essay includes:
- Title page — subject, research question, word count
- Contents page — with page numbers
- Introduction (~300-400 words) — context, research question, methodology
- Body (~3,000-3,200 words) — argument, evidence, analysis
- Conclusion (~300-400 words) — answer to research question, limitations, implications
- Bibliography — all sources cited (not included in word count)
- Appendices — supplementary material (not included in word count)
The body should be structured as a logical argument — not a collection of facts. Each paragraph should build on the previous one, leading the reader toward the conclusion.
Assessment Criteria
The Extended Essay is assessed against five criteria (total 34 marks, converted to A-E grade):
- Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks) — research question clarity, methodology appropriateness
- Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks) — subject-specific understanding, source quality
- Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks) — analysis, evaluation, argument development
- Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks) — structure, formatting, academic conventions
- Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks) — reflection on the research process (assessed via RPPF)
Criterion C (Critical Thinking) is worth the most marks — 12 out of 34. This is where many students lose marks. They describe their research but don't analyze it critically. The EE is not a report — it's an argument.
Timeline: When to Do What
IB Year 1, Term 2: Choose subject, brainstorm topics, formulate research question
IB Year 1, Term 3: Conduct research, read sources, create outline
Summer break: Write first draft (aim for 3,500+ words)
IB Year 2, Term 1: Revise based on supervisor feedback, refine argument
IB Year 2, Term 2: Final edits, check word count, format bibliography
IB Year 2, Term 3: Submit final EE + complete RPPF reflections
5 Tips for a Top-Scoring Extended Essay
- Start early. Procrastination is the #1 enemy of the EE. Begin brainstorming in Term 2 of Year 1.
- Choose a narrow research question. Broad questions lead to superficial essays. Narrow questions allow depth.
- Read widely before writing. Spend at least 30% of your time on research before writing a single paragraph.
- Write analytically, not descriptively. Every paragraph should advance your argument. Don't just list facts.
- Reflect throughout. The RPPF (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form) is worth 6 marks. Don't leave it to the last minute.
How AatiCademy Can Help with the Extended Essay
Our female IB tutors have supervised and supported dozens of Extended Essays across subjects. We help students:
- Choose the right subject and topic
- Formulate a focused, analytical research question
- Structure the essay for maximum marks on Criterion C
- Develop critical thinking skills (not just description)
- Write meaningful RPPF reflections
- Format the essay to IB academic conventions
Important: We don't write the EE for your daughter. We coach her through the process — helping her develop the skills to produce her best work. The essay remains entirely her own.