IB Core

Extended Essay

Plan and write an independent research essay of up to 4,000 words with reflection, research, and academic writing skills.

This core component has a dedicated toolkit with milestones, best practices, common pitfalls, planning templates, and final checks.

Official global benchmark

Cohort outcomes are context only—not grade boundaries or an individual grade prediction.

100,907 published results

Official core grade distribution
A	B	C	D	E	N
11.2%	28.3%	41.4%	17.9%	0.7%	0.6%

Source: International Baccalaureate statistical bulletin. “N” denotes no grade awarded; percentages may differ from 100 due to rounding.