Why Most Extended Essays Get Bs and Cs
After reviewing hundreds of Extended Essays as part of the IB assessment process, I've noticed patterns. The same mistakes appear year after year, and they're almost always avoidable.
The difference between an A and a C often isn't the quality of research—it's the structure, focus, and presentation of that research.
Mistake 1: The Question Is Too Broad
This is the most common problem. Students choose questions like:
- "How did World War II affect Europe?"
- "What is the impact of social media on teenagers?"
- "How does music affect the brain?"
These questions could fill entire textbooks. An Extended Essay is 4,000 words—you need laser focus.
The fix: Add constraints. Instead of "How does music affect the brain?", try "To what extent does listening to classical music during study improve short-term memory retention in 16-18 year olds?"
Mistake 2: Describing Instead of Analysing
Many essays read like Wikipedia articles—lots of information, little critical thinking.
The IB wants you to engage with your sources, not just summarise them. They want to see: - Comparison of different viewpoints - Evaluation of evidence quality - Your own reasoned conclusions
The fix: For every piece of evidence you present, ask "So what?" and "Why does this matter for my argument?"
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Marking Criteria
The EE is marked against specific criteria: - Focus and method - Knowledge and understanding - Critical thinking - Presentation - Engagement
Yet many students have never read these criteria in detail. They write blindly, hoping for the best.
The fix: Print out the criteria. For each criterion, highlight where in your essay you demonstrate it. If you can't find evidence for a criterion, you have a problem.
Mistake 4: Poor Source Management
Common issues: - Over-reliance on websites - No primary sources - Inconsistent citation style - Bibliography doesn't match in-text citations
The fix: Aim for a balanced mix of: - Academic journals (use Google Scholar) - Books from your school library - Primary sources relevant to your topic - Reputable websites (government, educational institutions)
Use a citation manager like Zotero or Mendeley from day one.
Mistake 5: The "Info Dump" Introduction
Many essays start with three pages of background information before getting to the argument. Examiners notice this—and it doesn't earn marks.
The fix: Your introduction should: 1. State your research question clearly 2. Explain why it matters 3. Outline your approach 4. Preview your argument
Keep it to 300-400 words maximum.
Mistake 6: Ignoring Counterarguments
Strong essays acknowledge complexity. Weak essays pretend the answer is obvious.
If you're arguing that X is true, what would someone who believes Y say? How do you respond to their objections?
The fix: Include a section (or weave throughout) that addresses the strongest counterargument to your thesis. Then explain why your argument still holds.
Mistake 7: The Rushed Conclusion
I've read essays where the conclusion is clearly written at midnight before the deadline. It either: - Repeats the introduction word-for-word - Introduces new evidence (never do this!) - Is three sentences long
The fix: Your conclusion should: 1. Directly answer your research question 2. Summarise your key arguments 3. Acknowledge limitations 4. Suggest areas for further research
It should feel like the natural end of a journey, not a sudden stop.
The Path to an A
An A-grade Extended Essay isn't necessarily written by the smartest student. It's written by the student who: - Chooses a focused, manageable question - Engages critically with sources - Follows the criteria deliberately - Revises multiple drafts - Manages their time effectively
Start early, get feedback often, and trust the process.
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