extended essay submission deadline 2022

IB Study Tips

April 22, 2022

IB Extended Essay Guide 2022: Deadlines And Requirements

IB 2022 exams are fast approaching. This means that many IB students around the world are already working double time to be able to study enough for the exams, comply with all the IB requirements, and meet all their deadlines. And one of such is the most important IB component that students need to get ready for – their Extended Essay (EE) .

EE is a component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) that students are required to write and submit before a given deadline. It is a structured essay containing no more than 4,000 words on a particular topic chosen by the student, which assesses their research ability and communication skills. The 4000-word essay is then accompanied by a reflection form that should contain a maximum of 500 words.

If you are currently in the process of writing your extended essay, or if you are an upcoming IB student who wishes to understand more about this IB requirement, this article is right for you. Here are some of the most important pieces of information you should know about the 2022 IB EE.

What should your extended essay include?

The extended essay is basically a mini-thesis that you write with the help of and under the supervision of your IB advisor. To begin your EE, you first need to decide on a research question as your topic, conduct independent research, and then write an essay on the findings of your research.

When writing your EE, you should always keep in mind that the IB requires the essays to be a formal academic piece. This means that you need to do outside research, cite sources properly, and follow the writing requirements set by the IB. Here are the parts that your IB EE should include:

• A page for your title
• A table of contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• Bibliography and references

When it comes to formatting, your essay should be written in a readable 12-point font with double spacing. Using an easy-to-read font is important, so you can help the examiners read and evaluate your essay more easily. The IB also does not require any specific citation or referencing format, so you can pick whichever system you are comfortable with. Just make sure to follow your chosen citation style consistently throughout your essay.

What is the process for writing your extended essay?

The first step to writing your extended essay is choosing your research topic, which must fall into one of the six approved IB subject groups or categories: Mathematics, Sciences, Language and Acquisition, Studies in Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, and the Arts.

Once you have already decided on your research topic, you need to come up with a topic proposal and meet with your IB advisor for approval and consultations. As of 2018, the IB already mandates that the EE supervision process of each student should include a “reflection process,” under which you are required to meet with your advisor in “reflection sessions” at least thrice.

According to the IB, the objective of the reflection meetings is to provide students with an opportunity to contemplate their engagement with the research process and to allow the advisors to offer feedback and evaluation of the students’ research process.

At the end of the EE process, a final reflection session called the “viva voce” will then take place. It is a quick 10- to 15-minute interview between the student and the advisor, which will help the latter write a report that will contribute to the student’s EE grade. The things usually covered in a viva voce are a plagiarism check, a reflection on your success and difficulty, and an overview of your learning during the EE process.

How to prepare a topic proposal for your extended essay?

As mentioned, coming up with a topic proposal is one of the first and most important steps in your EE writing process. Your topic proposal will basically provide an overview of what your essay will look like and how you will go about your research process. It is to be submitted to your advisor and a DP coordinator, who will read your proposal and decide on whether your chosen topic can be used for your extended essay.

Before handing in your topic proposal, it is important to consider every aspect of your research topic first to make sure you will obtain the approval of your academic advisor. Here are some of the questions you should ask when preparing your topic proposal:

• What is your research area, and why have you selected it?
• What is your research question all about?
• What is the importance of your topic?
• What background information do you know about your chosen topic?
• What research methods will you use, and what processes will you undergo?
• What primary and secondary sources are you planning to use for your research?
• Have you found any reading material for your topic already?

What are the deadlines for the EE submission?

Generally, the due dates for the submission of all extended essays this 2022 are on the 15th of March for the May exam session and on the 15th of September for the November session. However, the IB gives schools the freedom to set earlier due dates and internal deadlines for the various stages of producing the EE.

It is basically the schools’ responsibility to make sure all the works of their candidates are received by the IB on or before the submission date. To learn more about the EE submission deadlines, it is best to contact your IB school directly.

The extended essay is one of the most important components of IB that you should really prepare for. This requirement will not only demonstrate your research, communication, and self-management skills, but it will also reflect how much you have learned from your IB journey. To achieve a grade of D or higher on your IB EE, be sure to always follow the requirements and stick to the deadlines set by the IB and your school.

If the upcoming IB exams (particularly the hard ones like math and chemistry) are stressing you out, do not hesitate to seek the help of an IB maths tutor now. Here at QE, we have expert and experienced IGCSE and IB maths tutors in Singapore who will help you improve your study schedule and prepare better for the upcoming IB exams. To find out more about our reliable programs or tuition classes, get in touch with any of our educators and advisers today.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

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, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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How to Write an Extended Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

by  Antony W

October 10, 2023

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write an Extended Essay that not only explores a research issue comprehensively but also earns top grades.

To write a good Extended Essay, choose a topic you’re interested in, develop a specific research question, do your research, and structure your essay. Plan your writing process, schedule meetings with your supervisor, write the essay, and proofread before submitting.  

An alternative way to write an Extended Essay is to seek for professional academic writing help online. 

At Help for Assessment, we offer the  best EE writing service online   and this writing assistance can go a long way to get your Extended Essay written on time.

To be clear, an Extended Essay isn’t an assignment you should fail unless you purposely intend to do so. A good way to write an EE on any subject is to develop a solid structure and then follow it from start to finish.

How to Write an Extended Essay Step-by-Step

To write a comprehensive Extended Essay on any subject within the 40 hours:

1. Choose a Topic

The first step to write an EE is to choose an Extended Essay topic to explore.

Unfortunately, you can’t scrape a good topic off a book or ask a friend in your IB class to share their thoughts. You have to brainstorm and do some preliminary research to find an interesting topic to work on.

You don’t have to spend so many hours looking for a topic for your EE.

First, determine what your passion outside the classroom is. Then, come up with a list of potential topics that you can explore based on the subject of your choice.

As you do your topic hunting, you might discover that you have an interest in more than one topic.

We recommend that you choose the most interesting of all topic, particularly the one tied to an area you’ve always wanted to explore.

Also, make sure the topic allows you to have something original to write in the essay.

Should the topic be one that doesn’t allow you to share ideas beyond what’s obvious, drop it and look for something else. 

2. Research Your Topic

Researching your topic will help to inform your essay in the writing stage. If you do the research right, the structure, case study, and the experiments will easily fit on their own.

To do your research more effectively:

• Start by reading the EE guidelines for the subject you’d like to explore. Doing so will help you determine whether you need primary sources, secondary research, or a combination of both.
• Determine if you have to collect data from someone else, look for facts, create your own data, or use other people’s opinion.
• Check with your supervisor how recent your research should be.
• Conduct your research based on the subject, the topic you selected, and the suggestions from your supervisor.

Note that you may have to search multiple sources to identify the most relevant information for your Extended Essay.

You want to make sure your bibliography is detailed enough to show that you have invested enough time to research your topic.

3. Develop a Research Question

You need to develop a clear and concise research question that gives your intended reader a clear focus of the essay.

The Extended Essay Guide requires that your research question be precise, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the form of a question. In addition, your research question should be something worth asking.

If the research issue you’ve developed is concise, detailed, specific, and linked to the topic you would like to explore in 4,000 words, you’re set to start writing the Extended Essay.

4. Structure and Plan Your EE

Your Extended Essay should feature the following format:

• Your research question
• Table of contents
• Introduction
• Bibliography
• 3 Reflections

Use this outline in the order provided to organize your research and write the Extended Essay.

5. Consult Your Supervisor

One of the advantages of being in an IB program is that you can always choose someone to guide you through the Extended Essay reflection process .

It could be a teacher you're comfortable with or a fellow student.

Ensure you make good use of them by consulting them with your research so they can tell you whether you're on the right path.

6 Write Your First and Last Draft

Once you're comfortable that you've done comprehensive research, use your outline to write your first draft.

Don't worry about grammar or punctuation.

Just give life to your outline; then afterward, you can use this first draft to write the official extended essay you will submit.

7. Proofread and Edit Your Work

When your final extended essay is ready, edit and proofread for grammatical errors or any other errors you may not have noticed while rewriting it from your first draft.

If possible, have your supervisor go through it as well before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how long does it take to write an extended essay.

IB requires you to write your Extended Essay within 40 hours.

That’s enough time to start and complete the writing process if you start working on the EE as early as right now.

2. When Should I Write an EE?

The right approach to tackle an Extended Essay assignment is to start early. Instead of waiting to write a last minute essay , start right away so that you have ample time to do the work.  

Keep in mind that time management is critical to your success.

Once you’ve selected a topic for your Extended Essay assignment, the next task should be to create a schedule you can work with.

Determine how much time you’re willing and able to assign to your research process , break the task into small sections that you can manage, and then assign each section a realistic deadline.

3. How Do You Structure an Extended Essay?

Your Extended Essay must feature your research question, a cover page, table of contents, an introduction, the main body, a conclusion, a bibliography, and 3 reflections.

It’s possible to feel stuck as you continue to work on your Extended Essay, but your supervisor will be there to help you during the reflection sessions.

During these sessions, your supervisor will evaluate your research question, look at your structure and writing plan, and comment on your first draft.

Remember, you have 40 hours to work on the essay, which should be enough to get the assignment completed on time. 

Should you feel stuck in the writing process, you can reach out to the IB team at Help for Assessment and we’ll be happy to help.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

US - Extended Essay Guide: 2023 EE Deadline Calendar

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What are the official IB EE and IA submission deadlines?

• extended essay
• internal asessment

By Sadie March 10, 2018 in General IB Discussion

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Hi everyone!

Does anyone know the official IB deadlines for submission of IA's and Extended Essay?

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First, IB asks that all students obey internal deadlines set by each school. IB will not resolve any conflicts between school and students regarding deadlines. These following deadlines are for May examinations that IB receives digital copies from your school.

1) Externally assessed components in group 6: Arts April 30

2) Other external assessments that are not papers, including EE, ToK, written tasks and written assignments, March 15.

3) graded IA ready for moderation, April 20

For November examinations just add six months.

On 3/10/2018 at 7:55 PM, kw0573 said: First, IB asks that all students obey internal deadlines set by each school. IB will not resolve any conflicts between school and students regarding deadlines. These following deadlines are for May examinations that IB receives digital copies from your school. 1) Externally assessed components in group 6: Arts April 30 2) Other external assessments that are not papers, including EE, ToK, written tasks and written assignments, March 15. 3) graded IA ready for moderation, April 20 For November examinations just add six months.

Thanks so much! So only EE, ToK, written tasks and written assignments are due March 15th? and the other April 20th? 

22 minutes ago, Sadie said: Thanks so much! So only EE, ToK, written tasks and written assignments are due March 15th? and the other April 20th? 

Yes these are the dates relevant to your teachers and coordinator. For IA, they need to be graded by April 20, including fully reviewed for academic dishonesty. Your teacher should tell you when and how to submit IAs. You cannot disregard your school's deadlines.

• 1 year later...

what about CAS?

• 8 months later...

**** CAS!!!

• 3 months later...

On 12/8/2019 at 5:34 AM, Arian said: **** CAS!!!

CAS deadline is June 1st

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Extended Essay: Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself

• Extended Essay- The Basics
• Step 1. Choose a Subject
• Step 2. Educate yourself!
• Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
• Identify Keywords
• Do Background Reading
• Define Your Topic
• Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
• Step 5. Draft a Research Question
• Step 6. Create a Timeline
• Find Articles
• Find Primary Sources
• Get Help from Experts
• Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
• Databases and Websites by Subject Area
• Create an Annotated Bibliography
• Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Chicago Citation Syle
• MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
• Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
• Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
• Conducting Secondary Research
• Conducting Primary Research
• Formal vs. Informal Writing
• Presentation Requirements
• Evaluating Your Work

Setting Personal Deadlines and Managing Your Time

Time management websites and guides.

Find useful information on time management, as well as tips on how to make the most effective use of your time.

Google Calendar

Time management is an important part of being a successful student.

Google Calendar is an easy way to stay organized and get reminders about important tasks.

You can learn how to use Google Calendar on this Google help page   or at the Google Apps Learning Center.

Twelve-step Plan for Researching the Extended Essay - Step 9

9.  Set deadlines for yourself that are realistic and take into consideration WSA's internal EE deadlines.

• << Previous: MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Next: Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay >>
• Last Updated: Feb 2, 2024 1:39 PM
• URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee

IB Internal Assessments Deadlines 2024

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• Writing Metier

Students’ success in their Internal Assessments (IAs), exams of their knowledge and abilities gained throughout the study, is essential to the IB Diploma Programme. In contrast to traditional examinations, individual projects give students greater leeway and choice in how they demonstrate their creative work, research abilities, and critical thinking. The main point I’ll explain in this article is IB IA Deadlines. Why?

Because maintaining a consistent and objective assessment process over the whole of the International Baccalaureate program depends on meeting all of the designated dates and deadlines for the different types of IAs.

Before we continue, please keep in mind that we can write an IB IA for you , no matter the topic or deadline. Our experts will provide you with a custom internal assessment that is free of plagiarism and AI content.

Importance of Deadlines in the IB Program

IB students should focus on the timeframe to complete research, write and submit their IB IAs. Like in all the other written tasks like an extended essay or TOK essay, exhibition, IB IO , or Language papers , following the IB internal assessment deadlines is crucial.

Consistency and Fairness Across the Program

Deadlines provide consistency and fairness throughout the International Baccalaureate curriculum . The IB guarantees all students have the same time to finish their examinations by imposing rigorous internal assessment deadlines. Late assignment submissions avoid undue advantage. Maintaining deadlines allows teachers and examiners to give students objective and accurate feedback.

Time Management and Organizational Skills

The challenging IB course requires time and scheduling management skills. Individual evaluation due dates teach time management, prioritization, and productivity. Students who submit their assessments on time learn time management and multitasking. Time management and prioritization skills will benefit you throughout the IB course and afterward.

Overview of IA Deadlines in 2024 Across Subject Groups

I’ll break this part starting from general IB IA deadlines 2024 and also give you a better idea by breaking it by subjects, for your ease. Please take into account that these are just overal internal deadlines;

Different schools have different submission dates. Therefore, you should consult your school or supervisors for further information.

General Timeline for IA Submission Deadlines

The IA is due between January and April of the second year of the IBDP; however, this varies by school and subject area. To confirm the deadline for each specific IAs, students should contact their respective schools’ IB coordinators and subject instructors.

Specific Deadlines for Different Types of IAs

Let me get straight to the point!

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

In this topic area, evaluations may be in the form of written assignments or individual oral examinations. Individual Orals are due in February or March, and Written Tasks are in January or February. Evaluations are usually submitted in the first quarter of the second academic year.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

Language Acquisition students must complete a written assignment and an individual oral test. The Individual Oral is often set for March or April, with Written Assignments frequently due in February or March.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

Students in the I&S cluster must finish an IA in their field of study, such as Economics or History. These assessments are due during the first two months of the academic year, depending on the exam and the institution’s timetable.

Group 4: Sciences

Most Biology, Physics, and Chemistry courses demand that their students complete an independent investigation (IA), which often takes the form of a lab report or an analysis based on research. Several schools conduct these assessments earlier than February and March to allow for modifications.

Group 5: Mathematics

All students require a math-independent assessment, often called a math exploration. or Math AA. Although the months of February and March are often when this evaluation is due, other schools may have earlier or later deadlines.

Group 6: The Arts

Students may be asked to do either a music investigation or a comparative study of the visual arts for their projects in the Arts area. Most of these exams are due in January or March, providing students time to improve their analytical and creative skills.

As mentioned previously, I still have to emphasize again that these are just generally available submission dates. EVERY IB student has to consult their teacher or school for further information related to their project submission deadline.

The Role of Supervisors and Coordinators in Managing Deadlines

You may underestimate the role of your teacher, aka supervisor. They are the ones responsible for your success and should provide you with expert guidance for each student. This is a crucial moment in the learning process and education in general.

Let me provide you with real examples.

Role of Teachers to Support Students

Every IB school has supervisors. These instructors decide whether students have enough time to complete their tasks, and this can be extremely helpful. This strategy helps students discover research ideas, prepare papers, and polish arguments.

Teachers or supervisors are responsible for keeping track of their student’s progress, providing them with periodic exams and revision deadlines, and ensuring that their pupils comply with the IB’s regulations about academic honesty.

Responsibilities of IB Coordinators

The IB coordinator at each school is responsible for the learning program’s success. They set and communicate the institution’s IA submission deadlines to instructors and students and ensure that completed IAs are submitted to the IB organization on time.

When necessary, coordinators collaborate directly with teachers to track the development of students and schedule additional lessons.

What if I miss IB Internal Assessment Deadlines?

I know you are all here with the same question seeking an exact answer. Below I’ll provide you with information so you have a better understanding of potential penalties.

Failure to follow the IB IA deadline

Missing an IA submission deadline may have major repercussions, including possible expulsion from the IB course or a decrease in the final IB score . The IB’s strict guidelines for submitting IAs must be followed by schools for the course to be of a high standard.

Failure to submit needed documents by the deadlines may harm a student’s final IB Diploma score and institutional admission . Therefore, you may not pretend to get the highest mark for your IA in case of overdue.

It’s not counted as a part of academic dishonesty, so you won’t have such strict consequences. Anyway, the lack of several points for your IA may lead to decreasing final grade. Who wants to lose points for their project?

Importance of Communication

Students must speak with their professors and the IB coordinators as soon as possible if they need help to fulfill IA deadlines. If your teacher is informed, he or she requires to provide more assistance, direction, or time, as their primary role is to assist students.

To succeed in the IB course and avoid the repercussions of missing submission deadlines, getting along well with instructors and coordinators and solving difficulties before they become problems are essential.

Tips for Managing IA Deadlines

If you want to get higher grades, you do not only need to read numerous resources and follow the IB IA criteria and rubric but also make sure to submit your internal assessment on time.

Below I’m sharing my personal tips on how to manage your IA deadlines.

Developing a Personal Timeline for Each IA

Staying on schedule and finishing assignments on time depend on making different timetables for each IA. It is important to establish research deadlines, create the first draughts, and conduct any more changes. You can keep track of your progress and make any adjustments with a detailed timeline to guarantee you fulfill your submission deadline.

Prioritizing Tasks and Setting Intermediate Internal Deadlines

Prioritizing work based on due dates and relevance is essential to complete many IAs and other obligations. Set goals and break down each IA into smaller tasks to ensure you progress. Following this strategy, you won’t have to be concerned about delaying or falling behind.

Breaking Down the IA into Smaller, Manageable Tasks

Dealing with an IA head-on might be a difficult task in IB school. Instead of stucking in a rut , divide the process into smaller, easier-to-handle components like studying the subject, writing the sections, and taking the examinations. The IA is segmented into smaller, more manageable pieces to concentrate on and improve each component individually.

Communicating Regularly with a Teacher and other IB students

Maintaining focus and receiving helpful counsel, encouragement, and criticism depends on regular contact between a student, teachers, and peers. You are not alone in your school. Utilize your IA by updating others on your work.

Talk about what you’ve achieved so far; ask any queries you may have, and get feedback on any draughts you’ve produced. Working together increases productivity since you may benefit from their energy and ideas.

Balancing IA Work with Other Academic and Extracurricular Commitments

It may not be easy to balance the due dates for your IA with those for your other classes and extracurricular activities. Make a calendar that includes study time, extracurricular activities, and downtime. When you exercise control, you may concentrate on your IAs without allowing them to dictate or take priority over other aspects of your life.

Follow IB IA Deadlines for 2024

When finishing your IA for the IB, time is essential. Students who can effectively manage their time have a better chance of achieving in their academic and extracurricular activities.

If students establish routines, define priorities, split their work into manageable chunks, and stay in regular contact with their instructors and classmates, they are more likely to finish their IAs on time, adhere to their timelines, and succeed.

Students have an ally working with them to achieve success in their teachers and the IB coordinators. An IB student who excels in the IAs and throughout Diploma Programme will have developed strong relationships with their professors and mastered time management.

If you are experiencing any troubles with your project, you can always count on Writing Metier. Our IB experts can help you with IB IA completion, starting with topics or articles selection , reviewing your final draft, and even writing an internal assessment for you from scratch.

Get help with your IB Internal Assessment 🆘

With our help, you can make sure that you will not miss the submission deadline for your IB IA. On-time delivery of your project is guaranteed.

I hope that now you are prepared to work on your IA. Whether you opt for our IB assistance or decide to start the paperwork from now on, we wish you good luck with your IA.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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  The Extended Essay (EE)

The extended essay offers the opportunity for IB students to investigate a topic of special interest, in the form of a 4,000-word piece of independent research. Students select an area of research from Diploma Programme subjects and become acquainted with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the chosen subject. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. As an authentic learning experience, the extended essay provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research on a topic of choice, under the guidance of a supervisor.

Aims & Components of the Extended Essay

AIMS OF THE EXTENDED ESSAY

engage in independent research with intellectual initiative and rigour

develop research, thinking, self-management and communication skills

reflect on what has been learned throughout the research and writing process.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE EXTENDED ESSAY

The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students.

A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma.

The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.

The extended essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.

When choosing a subject for the extended essay, students must select from the DP content taught at Bogan and cross-consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects published in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme .

The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school.

It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.

It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.

Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes three mandatory reflection sessions.

The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce , which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.

Class of 2022 Extended Essay Timeline

Quarter 4 Junior Year 2021

The following Extended Essay assignments will be taken for a grade in ToK I.

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Quarter 1 Senior Year 2022

The following Extended Essay assignments will be taken for a grade in Q1 ToK II.

Essay Competition FULL PARTICIPANT GUIDE | 2022 - Immerse ...

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Theory of knowledge

Theory of knowledge (TOK) is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay.

It asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.

TOK is part of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, and is mandatory for all students.

Learn more about theory of knowledge . You can also find examples of TOK essay titles and read about how the IB sets deadlines for TOK .

You may also be interested in the other components of the DP core: creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay .

Learn more about TOK in a DP workshop for teachers . 

DP subject briefs

Find out about what each subject offers within the Diploma Programme (DP).

Our DP subject briefs—for both standard and higher level—contain information about core requirements, aims and assessment.

• Explore the DP subject briefs

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