Grading the Extended Essay
The Extended Essay is graded out of 34, based on 5 criteria:
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
The descriptors for each criteria may slightly change depending on the subject, but are generally the same.
The emphasis is on the "Critical Thinking" aspect of the essay, as the main objective is for students to formulate their own thoughts and hold a dialogue, whether agreeing, disagreeing, or "to an extent", with the literature in their subject of choice.
Criterion E, Engagement, is given equal weight as the other criteria. It is assessed based on three reflections (totalling 500 words) submitted along with the Extended Essay, supervisor evaluation, and the passion transpired by the essay.
In the end, the Extended Essay gets compounded with the TOK grade to determine how many core points a student gets from the available 3. The Extended Essay is a mandatory component of the Diploma, and as such, constitutes failing conditions if standards are not met.
