IB Extended Essay Examples: Sample Research Questions by Subject

Your child has to write an Extended Essay, and the first thing everyone says is "go look at examples." Good advice — but where are they, and what makes one good? This guide gives you real IB Extended Essay examples: example titles the IB itself has published, sample research questions across every popular subject, one worked example broken down criterion by criterion, and where to find full graded essays. Every rule and number here comes from the IB's own Extended Essay guide.

Quick answer: An IB Extended Essay example is a sample research question or a full sample essay you can study to see what "good" looks like. The IB publishes real example titles, such as "The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH of saliva in the mouth after a meal." Another is "To what extent has the fall in the exchange rate of the US dollar affected the tourist industry in Carmel, California?" Full graded sample essays live in the IB's programme resource centre (for schools) and the IB Store. Below you'll find example research questions for English, History, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and more — all built the way the current guide (first assessment May 2027) wants them.

What is the Extended Essay, in one paragraph?

The Extended Essay (EE) is a 4,000-word research paper that every IB Diploma Programme (DP) student writes on a topic they choose. Students spend about 40 hours on it, guided by a supervisor, and it's marked by an external IB examiner. It's one of the three "core" parts of the diploma, alongside Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS. The EE and TOK together add up to 3 bonus points to the final score out of 45. You can read our full list of Extended Essay topics if you're still choosing a subject. This page is about examples — the finished shape, not the starting idea.

How to read the examples on this page

A research question (RQ) is the single question your whole essay answers. It is the heart of the EE. A good example RQ does three things at once.

First, it is narrow. "Climate change" is a topic, not a question. "How did a 2°C rise in average summer temperature affect grape yield at one vineyard in Bordeaux between 2015 and 2024?" is a question you can actually answer in 4,000 words.

Second, it asks you to analyse, not just describe. Weak RQs start with "What is" and end with a fact. Strong ones start with "To what extent," "How does," or "Why did," and end with an argument.

Third, it fits the subject. An Economics RQ must use economic theory. A Biology RQ must be testable with data. The examples below are grouped by subject so you can see how the shape changes.

Treat these as models to adapt, not questions to copy. The best RQ is one built around data you can reach or a text you can study closely.

Real IB Extended Essay example titles

The IB publishes a small set of real Extended Essay titles on its website to show the range of topics students choose. These are genuine, IB-approved examples. Here are six of them.

Notice the pattern. Each one is tight, specific, and points at a real thing to study — one vineyard, one town, one school of philosophy. None of them could be answered by copying a textbook. That's the standard to aim for.

IB Extended Essay examples by subject

Below are example research questions for the most popular EE subjects. Each set is a model of the right shape for that subject. Swap in your own text, company, place or dataset.

English (Language A: Literature)

A strong English EE analyses how a writer builds meaning, not what the story is about.

• How does Khaled Hosseini use setting to build a sense of guilt in The Kite Runner?

• To what extent does the unreliable narrator shape the reader's sympathy in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day?

• How is the theme of isolation created through imagery in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar?

Pick one or two texts, not five. Depth beats coverage. Our IB English tutors often start students with a single chapter and one technique.

History

A History EE argues about causes, significance or change, using real sources.

• To what extent was economic hardship the main cause of the February Revolution in Russia in 1917?

• How significant was propaganda in keeping Nazi control of Germany between 1933 and 1939?

• Why did the League of Nations fail to stop the Manchurian Crisis of 1931 to 1933?

Under the current guide, the old "must be more than 10 years ago" rule has been relaxed, so you have more freedom over recent history. Still, pick a period with enough written sources to argue both sides.

Economics

An Economics EE applies economic theory to a real market, ideally one near you with data you can gather.

• To what extent has the sugar tax reduced sales of sugary drinks in one UK supermarket chain?

• How did a rise in the local minimum wage affect staffing at three cafés in one town?

• To what extent is the coffee-shop market in one city an example of monopolistic competition?

The best Economics EEs use your own primary data — a survey, a price check, an interview. Link every finding back to a diagram. Our IB Economics tutors help students choose a market small enough to measure.

Business Management

A Business EE studies a real firm and a real decision, using business tools.

• To what extent has influencer marketing helped one skincare brand reach Gen Z buyers?

• How has a low-cost pricing strategy affected one airline's market share on a single route?

• To what extent did remote working improve staff productivity at one mid-sized company?

Use frameworks like SWOT, the marketing mix or a break-even analysis — but only where they answer the question.

Psychology

A Psychology EE weighs studies and theory to answer a question about behaviour. It is a literature-based essay, not a new experiment.

• To what extent does the misinformation effect reduce the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?

• How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy compared with medication for treating mild depression?

• To what extent does sleep deprivation affect memory formation in teenagers?

Build the essay around several named studies. Compare them, don't just list them.

Biology

A Biology EE tests a clear variable with data you collect or find. It must be measurable.

• What is the effect of temperature on the activity of the enzyme catalase in potato tissue?

• How does caffeine concentration affect the heart rate of Daphnia?

• What is the effect of salt concentration on the germination rate of mung bean seeds?

Keep one variable changing and everything else fixed. Record real numbers, repeat trials, and show your error. Our IB Biology tutors can help you design a fair test that fits your equipment.

Chemistry

A Chemistry EE measures a chemical change and explains it with theory.

• How does temperature affect the rate of the iodine clock reaction?

• What is the effect of storage time on the vitamin C content of fresh orange juice?

• How does the concentration of acid affect the rate at which it reacts with calcium carbonate?

Pick a reaction you can run safely and measure precisely. Link your results to reaction kinetics or thermodynamics.

Physics

A Physics EE finds a relationship between two quantities and models it. Avoid questions your textbook already answers.

• How does the angle of a solar panel affect its power output under a fixed light source?

• What is the relationship between the temperature of a tennis ball and how high it bounces?

• How does the diameter of a wind-turbine model's blades affect the voltage it generates?

The examiner wants to see graphs, a line of best fit, and a discussion of uncertainty. A question you can answer from memory scores poorly.

Mathematics

A Maths EE applies real mathematics to a problem and shows the working, not just the answer.

• To what extent does the logistic model predict the population growth of one country since 1960?

• An investigation into the mathematics behind the cardioid shape formed by light in a coffee cup.

• How can calculus be used to find the dimensions of a drinks can that use the least metal?

Choose maths at or slightly beyond your course level. Explain every step so a classmate could follow it.

Geography

A Geography EE studies a place and a process, with fieldwork where possible.

• To what extent has urban regeneration changed house prices in one district of a city?

• How does distance from a river affect flood risk in one town?

Maps, transects and your own field data lift a Geography EE from average to strong.

Computer Science

A Computer Science EE compares methods or solves a problem, and judges the result.

• To what extent is a hash table more efficient than a binary search tree for storing a large dictionary?

• How does image resolution affect the accuracy of a simple handwriting-recognition program?

Show the algorithm, test it with data, and measure speed or accuracy — don't just describe the code.

A Language B (for example, Spanish or French)

A Language B EE is written in the target language and explores that culture.

• ¿Cómo se representa la identidad nacional en la película Roma de Alfonso Cuarón?

• Dans quelle mesure la publicité française utilise-t-elle l'humour pour vendre des produits?

The essay is marked partly on your language, so choose a topic you can discuss with a strong vocabulary.

Interdisciplinary (World Studies) example

The current guide adds a formal interdisciplinary pathway. You combine two subjects through one of five set frameworks, such as "Science, technology and society."

• To what extent does fast fashion drive water pollution in one river region? (Economics + Environmental Systems and Societies)

Here the mix of two subjects has to be needed to answer the question. If one subject could do the job alone, use the subject-focused pathway instead.

What a top-scoring EE example looks like (annotated)

Let's take one example RQ and read it the way an examiner would. Say a student writes:

"To what extent has the sugar tax reduced sales of sugary drinks in one UK supermarket chain?"

Here is why this works, criterion by criterion, using the current five criteria.

• Framework for the essay. The question is narrow (one chain, one policy), it says "to what extent" so it demands analysis, and Economics is clearly the right subject. That's a strong start on Criterion A.

• Knowledge and understanding. The student can bring in real economic theory — price elasticity of demand, indirect taxes, market failure. Named theory used correctly earns Criterion B.

• Analysis and line of argument. Sales data before and after the tax, turned into a demand diagram, builds a clear argument. That's Criterion C.

• Discussion and evaluation. This is now the biggest criterion, worth 8 marks. The student weighs the limits — one chain isn't the whole country, other factors moved prices too — and suggests what a better study would do. Strong evaluation is what separates an A from a B.

• Reflection. In the 500-word reflective statement, the student explains what they learned as a researcher and how their thinking changed. That's Criterion E.

The lesson: a good example isn't just a good question. It's a question that gives you room to score on all five criteria.

How the Extended Essay is graded (2027 guide)

The EE is marked out of 30 under the current guide, which applies to exams from May 2027 onward. There are five criteria, all marked by an external IB examiner.

If your child has seen older examples marked out of 34, that's the previous guide, whose last exams were in May 2026. The main changes are worth knowing.

The final mark becomes a letter grade. Boundaries are set fresh each session, but they typically fall near these ranges.

One rule matters more than the rest: a grade E in the Extended Essay is a failing condition. Your child needs at least a grade D in both the EE and TOK to be awarded the diploma. So a weak EE doesn't just cost bonus points — it can cost the whole diploma.

Where to find full annotated EE examples

Example titles are easy to find. Full, graded, annotated essays are harder, because the IB controls them. Here is where the real ones live.

• The IB programme resource centre. This is the official source. It holds example essays with examiner comments and marks. Only IB World Schools can log in, so ask your child's EE supervisor or IB coordinator to share exemplars from it. This is the gold standard.

• The IB Store. The IB sells collections of sample essays that earned an A grade. These are official and reliable if you want to buy a set.

• Your school's own bank. Many schools keep past student essays (with permission) to show new students. Ask.

• Study sites and tutoring services. Sites like Clastify and others host student essays with marks. They can help, but they are not made by the IB, and quality varies. Read them for shape, not gospel.

Use exemplars the right way. Read them to see structure, argument and how marks are won — then close the file and write your own. Copying an essay, or even leaning too hard on one, breaks the IB's academic integrity rules and can void the diploma. Every source you use, including any AI tool, has to be cited. If you want a marked read of a draft against the criteria, our Extended Essay coaching does exactly that.

How to turn an example into your own research question

Examples are a starting point, not a shortcut. Here's a simple way to move from a model to your own question.

1. Pick the subject you're strongest in and enjoy. You'll spend 40 hours here.

2. Find an example RQ above in that subject and copy its shape — the "To what extent" or "How does" frame.

3. Swap the content for something you can actually reach: a text you own, a shop near you, an experiment you can run, a dataset you can download.

4. Make it smaller. Almost every first draft of an RQ is too broad. One place, one text, one variable.

5. Check it demands analysis. If you can answer it with a single fact, it's not ready.

6. Show it to your supervisor early and expect to change it. Refining the question is normal.

Get the question right and the essay gets much easier. Get it wrong and no amount of writing will save it.

Frequently asked questions

What is an IB Extended Essay example?

It's a sample you study to learn the standard — either an example research question (a model of the right shape) or a full sample essay with the examiner's marks and comments. Example titles are public on the IB website. Full graded essays are held in the IB programme resource centre and the IB Store.

Where can I find IB Extended Essay examples for free?

The IB publishes example essay titles for free on its website. Free full essays are harder to get officially. Your school's EE supervisor can share graded exemplars from the IB programme resource centre, which is the most reliable free route. Third-party sites host free student essays, but they aren't made by the IB and vary in quality.

Are the example research questions on this page real IB essays?

The six titles in the table are genuine examples the IB has published. The research questions in the by-subject sections are models we've written to show the correct shape for each subject. Use them as templates and build your own around data or texts you can actually access.

How long is the IB Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay is a maximum of 4,000 words. Examiners stop reading at 4,000 words, so anything after that — including your conclusion or evaluation — is ignored. Most strong essays land between 3,500 and 4,000 words.

How many marks is the Extended Essay worth?

Under the current guide (first exams May 2027) the EE is marked out of 30 across five criteria. The mark becomes a letter grade from A to E. The EE and TOK together add up to 3 bonus points to the score out of 45.

What are the five Extended Essay criteria?

They are Criterion A: Framework for the essay (6 marks), Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding (6 marks), Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument (6 marks), Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation (8 marks), and Criterion E: Reflection (4 marks). Discussion and evaluation is the biggest, so a strong evaluation section matters most.

What makes a good Extended Essay research question?

A good RQ is narrow, analytical and fits its subject. It should ask "to what extent," "how" or "why" — not "what is." It must be small enough to answer in 4,000 words and built around evidence you can reach. If a single fact answers it, it's too weak.

Which IB subject is easiest for the Extended Essay?

There's no single easiest subject — the easiest EE is one in a subject you enjoy and can gather evidence in. Students often find English, History, Economics, Business and Psychology manageable because sources are easy to find. Science and Maths EEs can score highly but need a testable question and real data.

Can I use an example essay in my own Extended Essay?

You can read example essays to learn structure and argument, but you cannot copy them or reuse their wording. That breaks the IB's academic integrity rules and can cost your child the diploma. Every source, including any AI tool used, must be cited. Study the example, then write your own from scratch.

What is the difference between an EE topic and an EE example?

A topic is a broad area, like "the economics of coffee." An example is a finished, focused version, like a graded essay or a sharp research question such as "To what extent is the coffee-shop market in one city monopolistic competition?" If you're still at the topic stage, start with our Extended Essay topics guide, then come back here for the shape.

How is the Extended Essay assessed differently from 2027?

The current guide (first exams May 2027) marks the EE out of 30 instead of 34. Presentation is no longer a separate criterion, the old "critical thinking" criterion is split into Analysis and Discussion, and reflection is now a single 500-word statement on the Reflection and Progress Form rather than three reflections. It also adds a formal interdisciplinary pathway.

Does the Extended Essay really affect my final IB score?

Yes. The EE combines with TOK to give up to 3 bonus points on the 45-point scale, which can lift or sink a borderline offer. More importantly, a grade E in the EE is a failing condition — your child needs at least a D to be awarded the diploma at all.

Educifly is a boutique 1-on-1 tutoring practice for IB Diploma, IB MYP and IGCSE students, founded in 2018. Every tutor is a subject specialist, and students keep the same tutor throughout. If you'd like a specialist read on your child's Extended Essay draft against the criteria, book a free trial class.