The extended essay is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...

. It is a research paper of up to 4,000 words giving students an opportunity to conduct independent research or investigation on a topic that interests them. Like the theory of knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (IB course)

Theory of knowledge is a course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme which is, in essence, similar to Epistemology courses offered in university.-Course description:...

 (TOK) essay, TOK presentation and participation in creativity, action, service

Creativity, Action, Service

Creativity, action, service is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It aims to provide a 'counterbalance' to the academic rigour of the educational programme. Before the 2010 examination there was a 150 hour requirement, with an approximately equal distribution of creativity,...

 activities, submitting an extended essay is a prerequisite for award of the Diploma.

Recommended subjects

Although the extended essay may be written on a topic of the student's choice, it is recommended that it be taken from the field of one of the IB subjects that one is studying (e.g. one can write about a book that has not been studied as part of IB English,[you are not allowed to study a book for EE that you have already studied in class]). However, the topic must not be too broad or too narrow so it is difficult to write 4000 words, and the general subject must be taught under the IB diploma program by one of the members of staff at the high school (so that there is someone with expertise able to help). The subject (not topic) on which the extended essay is written is recommended to be one that the candidate has formally studied, but this is not required. Also, the EE may not be written across different subjects – it must concentrate on one subject only. However, some subjects include several disciplines, with an emphasis towards one. An example is the subject Environmental Systems and Societies, which can include chemistry, biology, psychology, etc. generally with an emphasis toward one discipline.

Supervision

The supervisor provides the student with assistance in putting together their EE, including guiding them in finding a suitable research question and on how to acquire the necessary resources to complete the research (such as a specific resource material–often hard-to-find documents or books–or laboratory equipment). The supervisor may suggest improvements to a version of the EE, but must not be engaged in writing it. The IBO recommends that the supervisor spend approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE. Some schools allow their students to choose a supervisor from outside their school, provided that the student appoint a teacher from inside the school to handle required administrative paperwork (such as anti-plagiarism

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous...

 policies).

Assessment

Extended essays are marked by external assessors (examiners appointed by the IB) on a scale of 0 to 36. There are "general" and "subject-specific" criteria, at a ratio of 2:1 (24 possible marks for the general criteria and 12 marks for the subject-specific one). The total mark is converted into a grade from A to E. A similar system is used for theory of knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (IB course)

Theory of knowledge is a course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme which is, in essence, similar to Epistemology courses offered in university.-Course description:...

and students can gain up to 3 points for the diploma based on the grades achieved for EE and TOK.
Prior to the class of 2010, a diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the extended essay or theory of knowledge and still be awarded a diploma. However, if a student scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay he or she will not be eligible to receive an IB diploma.

% awarded grade	A	B	C	D	E
Extended essay	10.59%	16.50%	38.88%	27.62%	6.41%
Source: May 2008 results at page 12 of ibsca Curriculum Content Guide, 4 February 2009