The EE, a component of the DP core, is a compulsory, externally assessed piece of independent research presented as a formal piece of academic writing. It is an in-depth study of a focused topic—undertaken either through a subject-focused approach or an interdisciplinary approach. Students choose from the list of available DP subjects for the examination session in question. This normally is one of the six subjects a student is taking (or two, in the case of the interdisciplinary approach) or a subject that a course student has a background in.
The EE is intended to promote academic research and writing skills, providing students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice under the guidance of a supervisor (an appropriately qualified member of staff within the school). Students produce a significant piece of appropriately presented and structured writing in which they communicate their ideas and findings in a coherent, reasoned manner, appropriate to the subject(s) chosen.
The updated EE puts a stronger emphasis on students using an interdisciplinary approach to research in order to address complex issues and questions. The world studies EE has been absorbed into a broader, more flexible interdisciplinary pathway within the new EE, where students integrate the lenses of two DP subjects. Focusing on one subject for the EE also is an equally viable research pathway for students, depending on the nature of the topic.
Course content changes
Your Responsibilities as a student
Ensure that your extended essay aligns with a DP subject or subjects as per the subjects listed as available for the relevant examination session. Consult with the DP coordinator or the extended essay coordinator to obtain the details.
Ensure that your extended essay conforms with policies and expectations regarding academic integrity and ethics. This includes understanding the implications of the “B1 General regulations: Diploma Programme” section in the Diploma Programme Assessment procedures if there is a breach of these. The full document is available in Managebac files.
Read, understand, and use all the relevant information and guidance available in the IB extended essay guide and support material. Refer to the supervisor for details and access. The full document is available in Managebac files.
Meet all internal deadlines set by the school in relation to the extended essay.
Attend three mandatory reflection sessions with your supervisor.
Record your reflective statement on the RPF.
Source: Extended Essay Guide First Assessment 2027. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2025. p. 102
Two research pathways:
Students can choose between a traditional, subject-focused essay or a new interdisciplinary essay that combines two subjects.
Refined assessment structure:
The old A-E grading system is replaced by a 34-point rubric, with more clearly defined components like "Focus and Method" and "Knowledge and Understanding".
Emphasis on reflection:
The new framework puts greater emphasis on the student's growth and the development of skills, focusing on the learning process rather than just the final product.
Interdisciplinary research:
The new interdisciplinary pathway encourages students to tackle complex issues from multiple subject perspectives, absorbing the former World Studies option.
Digital-first approach:
The EE will shift towards a primarily digital format, allowing for multimedia elements to be integrated.
Changes for language essays:
The restrictive categories for Language A and B EEs have been removed, offering more freedom in topic choice.
Ethical researcher component:
New content has been added to provide a robust framework for ethical research practices, including the implications of AI and machine learning.
Streamlined guidance:
Subject-specific guidance is now organized by subject group rather than for each individual subject.
Points awarded for the Extended Essay in conjunction with the Theory of Knowledge Essay - out of a maximum total of 45 points.
(See the IBO webpage on Assessment for more information.)
Interdisciplinary and specific subjects
Interdisciplinary: Explore topics that combine fields, such as "the relationship between climate change and economic sustainability" or "the impact of technology on social and cultural identity".
Biology: Investigate the effects of climate change on coral reefs, compare the effectiveness of different sanitation methods against bacterial growth, or study the relationship between population density and population size in a specific area.
History: Analyze the significance of a specific historical event, such as Pearl Harbor, or explore the impact of postcolonialism in a literary work.
Language and Literature: Compare the portrayal of dystopian societies in different novels, analyze the use of magical realism in a particular book, or examine the role of a specific literary device in a work.
Global Politics: Study the impact of socially responsible actions on brand positioning, analyze the effectiveness of certain leadership styles, or explore the role of a specific country in global security.
How to choose a topic
Be specific: Your topic should be focused enough to be explored thoroughly in the required word count, according to RevisionDojo.
Be relevant: The topic must be clearly connected to an IB subject and its criteria.
Be researchable: You need to be able to find sufficient quality sources to support your research.
Be passionate: Choose a topic you are genuinely interested in, as this will help you stay motivated throughout the process.
