IB Extended Essay Guide UAE 2026 — How to Choose a Topic, Structure the EE and Score Band A

EE Grade + TOK Grade

Bonus Points

A + A

3 points

A + B or B + A

3 points

B + B or A + C or C + A

2 points

B + C or C + B

2 points

C + C or B + D or D + B

1 point

E or D combinations

0 points — but EE Grade E causes Diploma failure regardless of total score

EE Grade E is one of three conditions that cause automatic Diploma failure regardless of total score (alongside TOK Grade E and being found in breach of academic integrity). An E grade requires a standard equivalent to what is described in the criteria as "failing" — this is most often the result of: no clear research question; almost entirely descriptive without analysis; extremely poor presentation; or not engaging with the supervision process.

Criterion

Max Marks

What It Assesses

Common Weakness

A — Focus and Method

10

Clarity and appropriateness of the research question; methodology; theoretical framework

Research question too broad; no explanation of why the chosen method is appropriate for the question

B — Knowledge and Understanding

6

Subject-specific knowledge; use of subject-specific terminology; engagement with relevant theory or literature

Superficial knowledge of the topic; not engaging with key relevant theories or academic sources in the field

C — Critical Thinking

12

Analysis of evidence; discussion of implications; evaluation of limitations; reaching a justified conclusion

Descriptive without analysis — summarising sources rather than evaluating them; reaching a conclusion not supported by the evidence presented

D — Presentation

4

Formal academic structure; referencing accuracy; bibliography; word count compliance; table of contents; abstract

Missing or incorrect citations; no abstract; word count exceeded; poor bibliography format

E — Engagement

6

Reflection on the research process shown in the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF); intellectual engagement

RPPF completed superficially or only at the last minute; reflections that describe what was done rather than what was learned

EE Subject

Key Strength of This Choice

Key Challenge

UAE-Specific Tip

Economics

Accessible secondary data; economic theory provides analytical framework; clear marking criteria

Data must be current and relevant; analysis must use economic models not just description

Use UAE or GCC economic data — local relevance makes sourcing easier and application more specific

Biology

Allows original laboratory investigation; IB values primary data highly

Requires safe, accessible experiments with sufficient data for statistical analysis

UAE biological contexts (desert ecology, coral reef deterioration in Gulf) offer unique locally accessible research angles

History

Strong archive sources available; clear analytical framework

4,000 words limits depth; must cover historiography (different historians' interpretations) to score well on Criterion C

Focus on 20th century world history topics rather than UAE-specific history where historiography is less developed

English A

Allows genuine literary analysis of chosen texts; flexible source selection

Must demonstrate literary analysis skills beyond personal response

Choose two or three texts with genuine comparative potential — theme, form, or cultural context connections

Business Management

Real company primary data accessible via interviews, reports; practical topic

Risk of description over analysis; must apply BM theory and tools to score on Criterion C

Dubai-based companies or UAE market contexts offer accessible primary research through informational interviews

When

Milestone

Why It Matters

September–October, Grade 11

Initial topic and research question proposal submitted to EE supervisor

Sets the entire investigation direction — the earlier the RQ is fixed, the more time for substantive research

November–December, Grade 11

First formal supervision session; reading and initial source gathering

Supervisor feedback on RQ suitability can prevent a year of work on a misconceived question

February–March, Grade 11

First draft (typically Chapters 1-2 or approximately 2,000 words) submitted to supervisor

Early draft feedback is the most valuable — time to genuinely revise rather than just edit

June–August, Grade 11 (summer)

Near-complete draft; all primary data collected

Summer is the most productive EE writing period — school is not in session

September, Grade 12

Final EE submitted to school for teacher review and RPPF completion

Schools typically require final EE submission in early Grade 12 before the busy examination revision period begins

October–November, Grade 12

EE submitted to IB by the school

IB external examiner marks the EE — no further revision possible after submission

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