Extended Essay

The extended essay is a formal academic paper of no more than 4,000 words, based on a focused research question. Students may follow a subject-focused or an interdisciplinary pathway.

It includes references and a bibliography, using a consistent, recognized referencing style (for example, MLA or APA). Appendices may be included where appropriate, but essential evidence and analysis must appear in the body of the essay.

Students also submit a Reflection and Progress Form (RPF), including a final reflective statement of no more than 500 words. There are three mandatory reflection sessions with the supervisor; the final session is the viva voce.

The extended essay represents approximately 40 hours of student work.

The essay and RPF are submitted electronically according to the school’s and IB’s current submission instructions. Confirm the required upload format with your coordinator; do not assume that every document format is accepted.

The extended essay is externally assessed. Criterion E is assessed using the RPF rather than the essay itself.

The extended essay and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) together contribute up to three additional points towards the IB diploma.

A grade of E in either EE or TOK prevents the award of the IB diploma.

A Computer Science extended essay does not necessarily require an experiment or original program. It may investigate a focused research question using suitable secondary data, provided the sources and methods support rigorous analysis and an evidence-based conclusion.

Depending on the research question, students may also use primary data generated through experiments, simulations or analysis of program performance. A review of relevant existing literature is required whether the investigation uses primary or secondary data.

Read the current subject-specific guidance for the sciences and examine relevant extended essay exemplars, remembering that an exemplar is not a guarantee of a particular grade.