Extended Essay Criteria

Criterion A: Focus and method

0 1-2 3-4 5-6

The work The topic is communicated unclearly and The topic is communicated. The topic is communicated accurately
does not incompletely. and effectively.
reach a • Identification and explanation of the research
standard • Identification and explanation of the topic is topic is communicated; the purpose and focus • Identification and explanation of the
outlined by limited; the purpose and focus of the research is of the research is adequately clear, but only research topic is effectively
the unclear, or does not lend itself to a systematic partially appropriate. communicated; the purpose and focus of
descriptors investigation in the subject for which it is the research is clear and appropriate.
below. registered. The research question is clearly stated but
only partially focused. The research question is clearly stated
The research question is stated but not and focused.
clearly expressed or too broad. • The research question is clear but the
discussion in the essay is only partially focused • The research question is clear and
• The research question is too broad in scope to and connected to the research question. addresses an issue of research that is
be treated effectively within the word limit and appropriately connected to the discussion
requirements of the task, or does not lend itself Methodology of the research is mostly in the essay.
to a systematic investigation in the subject for complete.
which it is registered. Methodology of the research is
• Source(s) and/or method(s) to be used are complete.
• The intent of the research question is generally relevant and appropriate given the
understood but has not been clearly expressed topic and research question. • An appropriate range of relevant
and/or the discussion of the essay is not focused source(s) and/or method(s) have been
on the research question. • There is some evidence that their selection(s) applied in relation to the topic and
was informed. research question.
Methodology of the research is limited.
If the topic or research question is deemed • There is evidence of effective and
• The source(s) and/or method(s) to be used are inappropriate for the subject in which the essay informed selection of sources and/or
limited in range given the topic and research is registered no more than four marks can be methods
question. awarded for this criterion.
• There is limited evidence that their selection
was informed
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

0 1-2 3-4 5-6

The work does not Knowledge and understanding is Knowledge and understanding is good. Knowledge and understanding is excellent.
reach a standard limited.
outlined by the • The selection of source material is mostly • The selection of source materials is clearly relevant
descriptors below. • The selection of source material has relevant and appropriate to the research question. and appropriate to the research question.
limited relevance and is only partially
appropriate to the research question. • Knowledge of the topic/discipline(s)/issue is clear; • Knowledge of the topic/discipline(s)/issue is clear
there is an understanding of the sources used but and coherent and sources are used effectively and
• Knowledge of the their application is only partially effective. with understanding.
topic/discipline(s)/issue is anecdotal,
unstructured and mostly descriptive with Use of terminology and concepts is adequate. Use of terminology and concepts is good.
sources not effectively being used.
• The use of subject-specific terminology and • The use of subject-specific terminology and
Use of terminology and concepts is concepts is mostly accurate, demonstrating an concepts is accurate and consistent, demonstrating
unclear and limited. appropriate level of knowledge and understanding. effective knowledge and understanding.

• Subject-specific terminology and/or If the topic or research question is deemed

concepts are either missing or inaccurate, inappropriate for the subject in which the essay is
demonstrating limited knowledge and registered no more than four marks can be
understanding. awarded for this criterion.

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Criterion C: Critical thinking

0 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12

The work The research is limited. The research is adequate. The research is good. The research is excellent.
does not
reach a • The research presented is • Some research presented is • The majority of the research is • The research is appropriate to
standard limited and its application is not appropriate and its application is appropriate and its application is the research question and its
outlined by clearly relevant to the RQ. partially relevant to the Research clearly relevant to the research application is consistently
the question. question. relevant.
descriptors Analysis is limited.
below. Analysis is adequate. Analysis is good. Analysis is excellent.
• There is limited analysis.
• There is analysis but this is only • The research is analysed in a • The research is analysed
• Where there are conclusions to partially relevant to the research way that is clearly relevant to the effectively and clearly focused on
individual points of analysis these question; the inclusion of research question; the inclusion the research question; the
are limited and not consistent with irrelevant research detracts from of less relevant research rarely inclusion of less relevant
the evidence. the quality of the argument. detracts from the quality of the research does not significantly
overall analysis . detract from the quality of the
Discussion/evaluation is • Any conclusions to individual overall analysis.
limited. points of analysis are only • Conclusions to individual points
partially supported by the of analysis are supported by the • Conclusions to individual points
• An argument is outlined but this evidence. evidence but there are some of analysis are effectively
is limited, incomplete, descriptive minor inconsistencies. supported by the evidence.
or narrative in nature. Discussion/evaluation is
adequate. Discussion/evaluation is good. Discussion/evaluation is
• The construction of an argument excellent.
is unclear and/or incoherent in • An argument explains the • An effective reasoned argument
structure hindering research but the reasoning is developed from the research, • An effective and focused
understanding. contains inconsistencies. with a conclusion supported by reasoned argument is developed
the evidence presented. from the research with a
• Where there is a final • The argument may lack clarity conclusion reflective of the
conclusion, it is limited and not and coherence but this does not • This reasoned argument is evidence presented.
consistent with the significantly hinder clearly structured and coherent
arguments/evidence presented. understanding. and supported by a final or • This reasoned argument is well
summative conclusion; minor structured and coherent; any

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• There is an attempt to evaluate • Where there is a final or inconsistencies may hinder the minor inconsistencies do not
the research, but this is summative conclusion, this is strength of the overall argument. hinder the strength of the overall
superficial. only partially consistent with the argument or the final or
arguments/evidence presented. • The research has been summative conclusion.
If the topic or research question is evaluated, and this is partially
deemed inappropriate for the • The research has been critical. • The research has been critically
subject in which the essay is evaluated but not critically. evaluated.
registered no more than three
marks can be awarded for this
criterion.

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Criterion D: Presentation

0 1-2 3-4

The work Presentation is acceptable. Presentation is good.

does not ● The structure of the essay is generally appropriate in terms of ● The structure of the essay clearly is appropriate in terms of
reach a the expected conventions for the topic, argument and subject in the expected conventions for the topic, the argument and
standard which the essay is registered. subject in which the essay is registered.
outlined by
the ● Some layout considerations may be missing or applied ● Layout considerations are present and applied correctly.
descriptors incorrectly.
below. ● The structure and layout support the reading, understanding
● Weaknesses in the structure and/or layout do not significantly and evaluation of the extended essay.
impact the reading, understanding or evaluation of the extended
essay.

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Criterion E: Engagement

0 1-2 3-4 5-6

The work Engagement is limited. Engagement is good. Engagement is excellent.

does not
● Reflections on decision-making and ● Reflections on decision-making and
reach a ● Reflections on decision-making and
planning are mostly descriptive. planning are analytical and include
standard planning are evaluative and include
reference to conceptual understanding
outlined and skill development. reference to the student’s capacity to
by the ● These reflections communicate a consider actions and ideas in
descriptor limited degree of personal ● These reflections communicate a response to setbacks experienced in
s below. engagement with the research focus moderate degree of personal the research process.
and/or research process. engagement with the research focus
and process of research, demonstrating ● These reflections communicate a
some intellectual initiative.
high degree of intellectual and
personal engagement with the
research focus and process of
research, demonstrating
authenticity, intellectual initiative
and/or creative approach in the
student voice.