Know what
your work is marked on.
Find the task, mark allocation and official source for your examination year. Start with EE, TOK or a subject’s internal assessment.
Select your assessment component and examination year.
May and November sessions are grouped by year here. Follow your school’s session-specific instructions, prescribed titles and submission dates.
Extended Essay · 2026 examinations
EE — May and November 2026. Choose your examination year above, not the year you started the DP.
This is the established model used for 2026 examinations. A different 30-mark model begins with the May 2027 session.
Where the marks come from
Focus and method
6marksDefine the investigation and select a workable research approach.
Knowledge and understanding
6marksEstablish the relevant subject context and use its concepts appropriately.
Critical thinking
12marksInterpret research, develop reasoning and judge what the findings support.
Presentation
4marksOrganize and format the essay so the research is accessible.
Engagement
6marksReflect on decisions and development during the research process.
The short explanations are AsterDraft revision checks. Use the official guide below for complete achievement descriptors and subject-specific guidance.
The reflection matters too
Three student reflections, 500 words combined. The reflection document is the RPPF. Keep the essay and reflection requirements distinct.
The common grid does not make every subject identical. Your investigation still needs the methods, evidence and conventions of its subject. Read the subject guidance before copying an approach from an older exemplar.
Read the official IB sources
Read selected essays and teaching breakdowns ↗ · Get feedback on your EE draft ↗
Extended Essay · from May 2027
EE — first assessment May 2027. Choose your examination year above, not the year you started the DP.
The 2027 change: the total becomes 30. Essay analysis and evaluation have separate criteria; the reflective statement is worth four marks. The older 34-mark grid does not apply to this version.
Where the marks come from
Framework for the essay
6marksAlign the question, research approach and structure.
Knowledge and understanding
6marksUse relevant research, subject vocabulary and concepts to establish understanding.
Analysis and line of argument
6marksTurn evidence into findings and connect them through a sustained argument.
Discussion and evaluation
8marksExamine the meaning of the findings and weigh the investigation's strengths and limitations.
Reflection
4marksEvaluate personal learning and how it may inform future work.
The short explanations are AsterDraft revision checks. Use the official guide below for complete achievement descriptors and subject-specific guidance.
The reflection matters too
One reflective statement up to 500 words, with three formal reflection sessions. The reflection document is the RPF. Keep the essay and reflection requirements distinct.
The common grid does not make every subject identical. Your investigation still needs the methods, evidence and conventions of its subject. Read the subject guidance before copying an approach from an older exemplar.
Read the official IB sources
Read selected essays and teaching breakdowns ↗ · Get feedback on your EE draft ↗
Theory of Knowledge
First-assessment-2022 model, checked against the IB’s 2026 examiner instructions. For later sessions, confirm that your school is using this version.
Each task receives one holistic mark out of 10. TOK is not a set of separately scored A–E criteria. The essay and exhibition are then combined using their different weights.
Essay
Respond to one of the six prescribed titles for the correct examination session. Develop a reasoned exploration of the title using relevant examples and consideration of perspectives.
Exhibition
Three specific objects with accompanying commentaries. Explain the objects' contexts, links to the chosen prompt and each object's contribution to the exhibition.
Read the bands as a whole
The instruments use 0, 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 and 9–10 mark bands. A strong example alone does not establish a top-band result: judge the whole response against the relevant instrument.
These are task marks, not an A–E grade conversion table. A weighted index can be written as 2 × essay mark + exhibition mark, out of 30; the examination-session grade boundaries still matter.
Read the official IB sources
Mathematics: analysis and approaches
Published course version: first assessment 2021 · final assessment 2028
Individual written mathematical exploration.
Replacement starts teaching August 2027, with first assessment May 2029.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Presentation
4marksMake the investigation easy to follow; place supporting material where it serves the explanation.
Mathematical communication
4marksDefine notation and use equations, diagrams and terminology consistently.
Personal engagement
3marksShow the mathematical choices you made and how they shaped the investigation.
Reflection
3marksExplain what the result means, where it falls short and how your reasoning developed.
Use of mathematics
6marksUse relevant mathematics at the appropriate level and show that you understand each step.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Criterion E has distinct SL and HL descriptors. Equal maxima do not mean identical expectations.
Read the official IB sources
Mathematics: applications and interpretation
Published course version: first assessment 2021 · final assessment 2028
Individual written mathematical exploration.
Replacement first assessment 2029; do not apply current criteria to that cohort.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Presentation
4marksMake the investigation easy to follow; place supporting material where it serves the explanation.
Mathematical communication
4marksDefine notation and use equations, diagrams and terminology consistently.
Personal engagement
3marksShow the mathematical choices you made and how they shaped the investigation.
Reflection
3marksExplain what the result means, where it falls short and how your reasoning developed.
Use of mathematics
6marksUse relevant mathematics at the appropriate level and show that you understand each step.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Criterion E has distinct SL and HL descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
Biology
Published course version: first assessment 2025
Scientific investigation: gather and analyse data to answer a student-defined question, then submit a written report.
Length: Maximum 3,000 words
Mark allocation & revision checks
Research design
6marksConnect the question, variables, data collection and controls in a reproducible plan.
Data analysis
6marksMake the processing traceable and handle relevant uncertainties when interpreting results.
Conclusion
6marksAnswer the research question using the analysis and relevant scientific context.
Evaluation
6marksExplain how specific limitations affect the findings and which improvements would address them.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
The common requirements apply at SL and HL.
Read the official IB sources
Chemistry
Published course version: first assessment 2025
Scientific investigation: gather and analyse data to answer a student-defined question, then submit a written report.
Length: Maximum 3,000 words
Mark allocation & revision checks
Research design
6marksConnect the question, variables, data collection and controls in a reproducible plan.
Data analysis
6marksMake the processing traceable and handle relevant uncertainties when interpreting results.
Conclusion
6marksAnswer the research question using the analysis and relevant scientific context.
Evaluation
6marksExplain how specific limitations affect the findings and which improvements would address them.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
The common requirements apply at SL and HL.
Read the official IB sources
Physics
Published course version: first assessment 2025
Scientific investigation: gather and analyse data to answer a student-defined question, then submit a written report.
Length: Maximum 3,000 words
Mark allocation & revision checks
Research design
6marksConnect the question, variables, data collection and controls in a reproducible plan.
Data analysis
6marksMake the processing traceable and handle relevant uncertainties when interpreting results.
Conclusion
6marksAnswer the research question using the analysis and relevant scientific context.
Evaluation
6marksExplain how specific limitations affect the findings and which improvements would address them.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
The common requirements apply at SL and HL.
Read the official IB sources
Business management
Published course version: first assessment 2024
Research one real organizational issue using a business concept and supporting evidence.
Length: Maximum 1,800 words
Three to five supporting documents; concept choice: change, creativity, ethics or sustainability.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Concept integration
5marksUse the chosen concept to interpret the issue throughout the investigation.
Supporting evidence
4marksChoose useful, relevant documents and explain what each contributes.
Business tools and theory
4marksSelect tools that answer the research question, then apply them to the organization.
Analysis and evaluation
5marksConnect evidence to judgements, weighing alternatives and limitations.
Conclusions
3marksAnswer the question consistently with the evidence developed in the report.
Structure
2marksOrder the sections so a reader can follow the reasoning.
Presentation
2marksCheck the title page, contents accuracy, section headings and page numbering.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
Economics
Published course version: first assessment 2022
Three news-based commentaries, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics and the global economy, using different key concepts.
Length: Maximum 800 words per commentary
Each commentary uses a different source and unit. The source article must have appeared within the year preceding the commentary.
Mark allocation & revision checks
45 marks in total: A–E give 14 marks for each of three commentaries. Criterion F adds three marks once for the complete portfolio: 3 × 14 + 3.
Diagrams
3marksEach commentary. Draw relevant diagrams accurately and explain the economic relationships they show.
Terminology
2marksEach commentary. Use the relevant economic vocabulary accurately within your explanation.
Application and analysis
3marksEach commentary. Apply economic ideas to the specific article rather than retelling the news.
Key concept
3marksEach commentary. Use the chosen concept to connect the article with the economic argument.
Evaluation
3marksEach commentary. Weigh the implications, assumptions and alternatives in the specific economic context.
Portfolio requirements
3marksWhole portfolio. Check the article sources, publication dates and unit coverage across the whole collection.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
English A: language and literature
Published course version: first assessment 2026
Individual oral on a global issue, connecting a literary work and a non-literary body of work through selected extracts.
Length: 15 minutes: 10-minute response and 5-minute teacher discussion
The current guide verifies the oral task, duration, weight and criterion maxima. The HL essay is external assessment.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Knowledge, understanding and interpretation
10marksUse precise knowledge of the works or texts to develop a relevant interpretation.
Analysis and evaluation
10marksExplain how choices in language and form shape meaning in relation to the global issue.
Focus and organization
10marksSustain a clear focus and arrange your points so the oral argument progresses.
Language
10marksUse accurate, clear and appropriately varied language to communicate the argument.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
English A: literature
Published course version: first assessment 2026
Individual oral on a global issue through two literary works: one originally written in English and one studied in translation.
Length: 15 minutes: 10-minute response and 5-minute teacher discussion
School-supported self-taught SL has an externally assessed oral variant; do not apply this IA route to that variant.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Knowledge, understanding and interpretation
10marksUse precise knowledge of the works or texts to develop a relevant interpretation.
Analysis and evaluation
10marksExplain how choices in language and form shape meaning in relation to the global issue.
Focus and organization
10marksSustain a clear focus and arrange your points so the oral argument progresses.
Language
10marksUse accurate, clear and appropriately varied language to communicate the argument.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
Psychology
Published course version: first assessment 2019 · final assessment 2026
Carry out an experimental investigation of a published psychological study, theory or model; write an individual report.
Length: 1,800–2,200 words
Groups of two to four plan and conduct the investigation; reporting remains individual. Uses descriptive and inferential statistics.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Introduction
6marksExplain the psychological background, the aim and the hypothesis being investigated.
Exploration
4marksExplain and justify the study design, participants, materials and procedure.
Analysis
6marksChoose appropriate statistical treatment and interpret what the data support.
Evaluation
6marksEvaluate the study’s design and findings, with specific limitations and justified improvements.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
Psychology
Published course version: first assessment 2027
Design a research proposal for a defined population using one of the research methods practised in class.
Length: Maximum 2,200 words
A proposal replaces the outgoing experimental report; keep the two assessment versions separate.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Introduction
6marksExplain the problem, the relevant psychological background and the proposed study’s purpose.
Research methodology
6marksExplain the method and procedure, including ethical considerations specific to the proposed investigation.
Data collection
6marksCreate a suitable data-collection tool; explain design decisions and likely collection challenges.
Discussion
6marksDiscuss possible findings and practical implications, researcher bias, and how another research method could deepen understanding.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
History
Published course version: first assessment 2017 · final assessment 2027
Historical investigation with sections on source selection/evaluation, the investigation itself and reflection.
Length: Maximum 2,200 words
Topic choice is flexible, but cannot concern an event within the preceding ten years.
Mark allocation & revision checks
Identification and evaluation of sources
6marksExplain why selected sources matter and evaluate their value and limitations.
Investigation
15marksDevelop an evidence-based historical argument that addresses the research question.
Reflection
4marksExplain what the investigation reveals about the methods and challenges of historical inquiry.
Criterion headings may be shortened; the revision checks are independent explanations, not the full official achievement descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
History
Published course version: first assessment 2028
Historical investigation organized around an inquiry question, sources and perspectives, then synthesis and evaluation.
Maximum seven sources; separate reflection section removed. Do not carry over the old 25-mark matrix or 2,200-word limit without checking the new guide.
The task and weighting are verified in the sources below. A complete, independently checked criterion-by-criterion grid is not included here; use the full course guide for the mark-band descriptors.
Read the official IB sources
Mathematics AA · from 2029
The mathematical exploration remains, but the criterion structure changes. This announced model should not be used for a 2026, 2027 or 2028 submission.
Problem specification
4marksIdentify the problem clearly and establish what a successful solution would address.
Abstraction
6marksRepresent the problem mathematically and explain the assumptions behind that representation.
Computation
4marksCarry out the mathematical work in a way that can be followed and checked.
Interpretation
6marksExplain what the mathematical result means for the original problem and evaluate its limits.
Read the official IB sources
Use the full guide for the 2029 cohort’s requirements and weightings. These short checks explain the announced criterion headings, rather than reproduce the descriptors.
Mathematics AI · from 2029
The mathematical exploration remains, but the criterion structure changes. This announced model should not be used for a 2026, 2027 or 2028 submission.
Problem specification
4marksIdentify the problem clearly and establish what a successful solution would address.
Abstraction
6marksRepresent the problem mathematically and explain the assumptions behind that representation.
Computation
4marksCarry out the mathematical work in a way that can be followed and checked.
Interpretation
6marksExplain what the mathematical result means for the original problem and evaluate its limits.
Read the official IB sources
Use the full guide for the 2029 cohort’s requirements and weightings. These short checks explain the announced criterion headings, rather than reproduce the descriptors.
Marks are not the final grade.
Subjects: 1–7
Each DP subject receives a final grade. Component marks are combined with the appropriate weights; an IA mark alone is not a subject grade.
EE & TOK: A–E
The core tasks receive letter grades. Do not turn a raw mark into a letter using an undated table: grade boundaries may change between examination sessions.
Core: up to 3 points
The two letter grades combine to contribute core points. CAS is a completion requirement and adds no points.
IB: understanding assessment ↗ · IB: how boundaries work ↗
How EE and TOK grades contribute core points
| EE / TOK | TOK A | TOK B | TOK C | TOK D | TOK E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EE A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | F |
| EE B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | F |
| EE C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | F |
| EE D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | F |
| EE E | F | F | F | F | F |
F means a diploma failing condition: an E in either component is not simply zero extra points. This matrix alone does not determine diploma eligibility; CAS and the other passing conditions also apply.