BACCEducation
IB CoreEE Student Toolkit

Extended Essay

Manage an independent research project that turns a focused question, appropriate method, and evaluated evidence into a sustained academic argument.

Know the requirement

The EE is an externally assessed, independent research paper of up to 4,000 words. Students work with a school-appointed supervisor and must follow the subject and session requirements provided by their school.

The revised EE has first assessment in May 2027 and introduces subject-focused and interdisciplinary pathways with redesigned criteria. Students in earlier sessions should use the guide for their own examination session.

Open EE concept checksAdvisor review — US$997

Milestone roadmap

A workflow students can actually follow

  1. 1

    Explore and test feasibility

    Weeks 1–3

    Outcome: A viable subject/pathway, evidence base, and provisional question.

    • Check that the proposed topic fits an available EE subject or interdisciplinary pathway for your session.
    • Run a source scan before committing to the question.
    • Record why the question is significant, focused, arguable, and feasible.
  2. 2

    Design the investigation

    Weeks 4–6

    Outcome: A justified method and a working argument map.

    • Match the research method to the question and disciplinary expectations.
    • Create a source matrix with relevance, reliability, limitations, and usable evidence.
    • Plan sections around reasons in the argument, not around the order sources were found.
  3. 3

    Research and draft

    Middle phase

    Outcome: A complete draft with traceable evidence and analysis.

    • Maintain a research log and capture citation details immediately.
    • Write analytical paragraphs that connect evidence to the research question.
    • Use supervisor conversations to make decisions, then record your own reasoning.
  4. 4

    Evaluate and finalize

    Final phase

    Outcome: A coherent answer that evaluates findings, limitations, and learning.

    • Audit every section against the research question.
    • Test whether the conclusion is supported and appropriately qualified.
    • Complete reflection authentically and verify formatting, citations, and word-count rules.
Best practices
  • Narrow the research question through variables such as text, case, place, time, method, or source base.
  • Treat methodology as a reasoned choice, including what the method cannot establish.
  • Keep a live source matrix so evaluation happens during research rather than being added at the end.
  • Make paragraph topic sentences advance the line of argument.
  • Use reflection to evaluate decisions, changes, setbacks, and transferable learning—not to keep a simple diary.
Common pitfalls
  • Starting with an appealing topic before checking subject fit and source feasibility.
  • Writing a broad report that describes information but does not answer an arguable question.
  • Collecting quotations without evaluating sources or explaining significance.
  • Changing the research question late without aligning the method, structure, and conclusion.
  • Allowing feedback or editing tools to replace the student's own judgement and authorship.

Student tools

Templates for better decisions

Copy these fields into a document, spreadsheet, or project board. The value comes from revisiting them as the work changes.

Research-question stress test

Decide whether a question is ready for supervisor discussion.

1. Subject/pathway fit2. Focused scope3. Debatable answer4. Evidence access5. Method fit6. 4,000-word feasibility
Paste into a document or spreadsheet.
Source evaluation matrix

Turn reading into usable, evaluated evidence.

1. Full citation2. Claim/evidence3. Relevance4. Authority/method5. Limitation6. Where it enters the argument
Paste into a document or spreadsheet.
Argument map

Keep a sustained line of reasoning visible.

1. Provisional answer2. Reason 13. Evidence4. Challenge5. Reason 26. Synthesis7. Implication
Paste into a document or spreadsheet.
Reflection decision log

Capture material for authentic supervisor reflections.

1. Decision/challenge2. Options considered3. Evidence or feedback4. Choice made5. Effect on the project6. What I learned
Paste into a document or spreadsheet.

Final self-review

Before you call it ready

  • The research question, method, analysis, and conclusion are aligned.
  • The essay demonstrates subject-appropriate knowledge and conventions.
  • Evidence is analysed and limitations are evaluated.
  • The referencing system is consistent and every borrowed idea is traceable.
  • The student can explain and defend every decision and sentence as their own work.

Use authoritative requirements

Always reconcile this study guidance with your school’s current guide, deadlines, coordinator instructions, and assessment session.

IB Extended Essay updates—first assessment 2027 IB Diploma Programme core