Strong IB Physics EE: tips for writing a high-grade essay

So, you’ve decided to write your Extended Essay in Physics? Science subjects are notoriously challenging to investigate, so kudos for being ambitious. Still, you need to remember that your Physics EE isn’t just another assignment.

First, it is your chance to dive deep into a topic you’re curious about. Second, it offers a taste of university-level work. Therefore, Physics Extended Essays are not only about having fun with experiments; they also require a lot of planning, working with scientific literature, and showcasing your analytical skills. You will need all of that to produce a great result.

But how do you approach your IB Physics EE? Are there pitfalls to avoid? Which aspects to keep in focus? Read further to find out.

Why is the Physics EE important?

If you enjoy Physics (and you probably do since you’re considering EE in this subject), you are sure to appreciate the opportunity to put your textbooks aside and try something more exciting – undergraduate-level research and even experimenting.

Although the IB Physics syllabus provides a great depth and width of the material, there are still topics it only skims or misses completely. Let’s say you want to learn more about renewable energy and its potential, but you feel that your IB Physics course doesn’t cover it well enough. Well, you can take matters into your own hands and explore this particular area of your interest.

Along with this, IB Physics Extended Essay allows you to hone the skills that will stick with you long after your IB diploma is in hand. Particularly, it can teach you how to ask the right questions and figure out answers through systematic investigation. At the same time, you will learn to analyse your sources, identify reliable ones, and use them to enhance your points.

The same goes for critical thinking. Thanks to the Extended Essay, you can learn how to build persuasive arguments, pull together insights from different places, draw meaningful conclusions, and even critique your own work.

The IB Physics Extended Essay is also an excellent writing exercise. Specifically, it challenges you to clearly express your ideas, polish your academic writing, present your findings, and master citation rules.

What’s even more important, the EE can help you stand out when you’re applying to a university. That’s because admissions officers may see it as a sign that you are ready for university-level research. It proves you can tackle an independent project and have a set of skills to lean on in higher education.

Assessment criteria of Physics Extended Essay: what you need to know about grading

The Physics EE awards up to 34 points across five distinct criteria. Each criterion takes into account a specific aspect of your work, from how well you define your topic to the level of engagement with the research process.

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points)

Examiners want to see a research question that’s clear, relevant, and manageable within the essay’s scope. Besides picking an appropriate topic, you need to explain why it’s worth exploring and design a methodology that’s up to the task. To maximise your marks, you need to ask yourself: Is my approach detailed? Does it make sense for my question?

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points)

This criterion measures how well you understand your topic and connect it to your research question. Apart from that, you need to provide a scientific background for your research, as well as connect it to relevant theories and studies. Whenever you use terminology, it must be on point.

Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points)

To earn these 12 points, you need to show the examiners that you can analyse data, evaluate evidence, and use it to support your arguments. Your ability to synthesise information and draw thoughtful conclusions is what’s under scrutiny here.

Criterion D: Presentation (4 points)

This criterion focuses on how well you structure your essay. Is it easy to follow, with a logical flow from start to finish? Are you using appropriate language and adhering to IB formatting requirements? A clean and well-organised presentation helps the examiners better understand your points.

Criterion E: Engagement (6 points)

Here, your task is to explain your research journey, specifically, how you planned it, which decisions you made, and how you tackled challenges. You should also show recognition of your limitations and your ability to learn from them.

Based on the number of points awarded, you receive a certain grade for your IB Physics EE. Although the exact boundaries vary every year depending on how all students perform, the following breakdown can give you a good idea:

• A (excellent): 27–34 points
• B (good): 21–26 points
• C (satisfactory): 14–20 points
• D (mediocre): 7–13 points
• E (elementary): 0–6 points

Key elements of a successful IB Physics EE

Now that you understand the role of the Extended Essay in Physics, let us provide some tips on how to write it. They range from choosing your research topic to formatting your report.

Choosing a unique research topic

You’ve probably heard from your EE coordinator or other students that your research topic should be original. The truth is, there is no such requirement in the assessment criteria.

Still, it makes sense to steer clear of the beaten path. Examiners handle dozens of essays every year. This means they’ve seen the same predictable topics again and again. To stand out, your topic has to be outside of popular trends. Ideally, it should be personal, i.e. reflecting your interests.

When you care about what you’re exploring, your enthusiasm will shine through the pages. Plus, researching something you’re passionate about can help you sail through the entire process and more easily overcome challenges. On the other hand, if you just stick to a simple or popular topic, you might not have the same level of motivation.

Before you start working on your Physics EE topic, discuss it with your supervisor. Their insights can help you avoid clichéd, vague, or overly ambitious topics. In fact, one of the biggest EE pitfalls is picking a research area that is so broad that it’s impossible to tackle it in just 4,000 words.

Creating a clear research question

So, you’ve found a topic you’re interested in. But it’s just a starting point for your investigation, a broad direction to go. A research question, on the other hand, is a specific path.

For example, you want to investigate “the efficiency of different solar cell technologies”. That is your topic. A research question focuses on what specifically you’re investigating and how. For instance, it might sound like: “To what extent do monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells differ in their energy conversion efficiency under varying light intensities?” Now, it is clear which “technologies” you are talking about and which methods you will be using, i.e. experimentation with “varying light intensities”.

But how do you formulate your research question?

You may start with a big, open-ended question to generate ideas. For example, “What does affect the efficiency of solar cells?” Such questions will let you brainstorm your options.

Next, think about your variables. In our solar cell example, different light intensities could be your independent variable (what you change), and energy conversion efficiency is the dependent variable (what you measure). Of course, you may explore other factors such as incident angles, but it is best to pick only one pair of variables to keep things manageable.

Some preliminary research can also help you shape your question. Read up on scientific studies, articles, and design ideas related to your topic to get some inspiration.

Finally, think about how you are going to approach your investigation. Are you going to use statistical data, build a model, or set up an experiment? If you’re leaning towards an experiment, do you have the time and resources to pull it off? If not, you might reconsider your research question (and even the entire topic) or opt for a simulation instead.

Following a logical structure in the IB Physics EE

Although IB Physics EE assessment criteria require a clear and logical structure (according to Criterion D: Presentation), they don’t specify any exact template. The requirements only outline the necessary pages, such as the front page, table of contents, introduction, body of the essay, and others. Therefore, it is your task to break your work into logical parts that contribute to a neat and professional look.

Our IB Physics EE tutors, many of whom are Extended Essay Coordinators in international schools, recommend the following structure:

1. Title Page

It should contain the essay’s title, your research question, the subject (Physics), the candidate’s number (do not write your name!), and the word count. Remember, you should use between 3,900 and 4,000 words, but the title page itself doesn’t count toward the word limit.

2. Abstract

The abstract is a peek at your work. In 300 words or fewer, write about your research question, how you investigated it, and what you found out.

3. Table of Contents

Here, you list all your key sections (introduction, body of essay with headers for sub-sections, conclusion, references, and bibliography) and their page numbers. The table of contents doesn’t add to your word count.

4. Introduction (200-400 words)

This is where you write your research question and add background explaining why you’ve chosen it. You should also lead the examiner through your methodology and outline what to expect from your work.

5. Body (2,500-3,000 words)

The biggest part of your investigation can be broken into these sections:

• Literature Review: Talk about the scientific background (studies, theories, concepts, etc.), i.e. what is already known about your topic.
• Methodology: Describe how exactly you conducted your investigation. It should be detailed enough so that someone else could repeat it.
• Presentation and Analysis of Data: Here, you share your raw data (usually, in the form of a table), analyse it, include graphs or charts if necessary, and explain what your results mean.
• Discussion: In this section, you need to discuss your findings and their implications. How do they answer your research question? Did you face any limitations or issues, and what was your response? Also, what would you do differently if you were to repeat your investigation?

6. Conclusion (200-400 words)

Sum up your main discoveries, say how they answer your research question, and why they matter.

7. References/Bibliography

List every book, publication, article, or website you used. Follow the style your school asks for (like APA or MLA). References don’t count toward your word limit.

8. Appendices (if you need them)

Here, you can add raw data or charts for detailed information.

Proper formatting of the EE in Physics

Proper formatting of your IB Physics Extended ensures your ideas stand out clearly and meet the IB’s expectations. Specifically, the IBO requires a professional appearance befitting scientific papers. Here’s what you need to do exactly:

• Set margins to 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides;
• Use a 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended);
• Apply double spacing to the entire essay;
• Start numbering on the Table of Contents page.
• Use a consistent academic referencing style for in-text citations and footnotes (MLA, APA, or Chicago, depending on which one your school prefers);

·        List references alphabetically by author’s last name, with hanging indents and no hyperlinks;

• All visuals must be labelled and referenced in the text.

When it comes to the word count, your IB Physics Extended Essay must have between 3,900 and 4,000 words – no more, no less. Going beyond this limit will cost you marks. Please note that not everything counts toward that total. Here’s what’s excluded from the word count:

• Table of Contents;
• Charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations, and tables;
• Equations, formulas, and calculations;
• Citations and references (parenthetical, numbered, footnotes, or endnotes);
• Bibliography;
• Appendices.

Prevent common pitfalls and mistakes

Although students investigate different topics, their essays may have something in common – the mistakes they make. The mistakes that cost valuable marks. Luckily, if you have an idea of what they are and how to steer clear of them, you can drastically increase your chances of getting an A.

1. You don’t have a clear research question

Without a specific research question, your essay lacks direction. A vague or overly broad question will lead to a superficial essay that doesn’t have a clear conclusion. Examiners want to see focus, and a weak question makes it hard to demonstrate deep understanding or analysis.

2. You’re missing the abstract

The abstract is a concise summary of your essay. If you fail to provide it or it is unclear, it might not reflect your actual work. A weak abstract can confuse the examiner and lower their expectations. We recommend writing it last, after you have finished other parts of your report. It should include such essentials as your question, how you investigated it, what you found, and what it means.

3. You rely on limited or superficial research

IB examiners expect you to engage with a topic thoroughly. However, if you provide shallow research, it will likely lead to weak arguments or errors. These will simply undermine your credibility. You can avoid this pitfall by conducting your own experiment and gathering rich primary data. At the same time, it makes sense to use a variety of secondary resources, and not just textbooks, but rather publications in peer-reviewed journals and recent studies.

4. Poor organisation and structure

An essay that jumps between disjointed ideas is tough to follow. As a result, you’re unlikely to receive good marks for presentation. A logical structure, on the other hand, helps readers track your arguments from start to finish. To create this structure, plan your outline ahead for every essential section. Also, it makes sense to break the body of your essay into smaller pieces with a clear focus. Lastly, try to link your paragraphs with smooth transitions.

5. Neglecting Proper Citation and Referencing

Forgetting to cite sources or doing it inconsistently can flag your essay for plagiarism. Even unintentional slip-ups can hurt your score and question your integrity. To avoid such a major problem, you need to provide the source for every quote, fact, or idea that isn’t yours. Keep a running list of sources as you conduct your research to save you time at the end. And remember to familiarise yourself with your school’s citation style.

6. Ignoring Feedback

Your supervisor has experience with the EE process and knows what examiners are looking for. If you don’t follow their guidance, you may end up with flaws in your essay. That’s why it is critical to act on their suggestions, even if it means revising heavily. At the same time, try to make the most of the check-ins with your supervisor and don’t be scared to ask questions if something is not clear.

7. Writing a Conclusion That’s Just a Summary

A conclusion that only repeats earlier points misses the chance to explain why your findings matter. Instead, you need to directly answer your research question and connect it to bigger Physics ideas. Also, it is a must to note your limits and suggest follow-up questions for future research.

Strategic planning and meeting deadlines

The earlier you start working on your IB Physics Extended Essay, the better. Many schools push their students to begin as early as the second term of their first year in the Diploma Programme. This way, you can spread the workload over a longer period and engage in thorough research.

Although your path may be different, we suggest the following timeline for writing your Physics EE.

January – February of IB1 – pick a research topic;

Spring of IB1 – meet with your supervisor and create a research plan;

The summer between IB1 and IB2 – conduct your research and write your first EE draft;

September of IB2 – submit the first draft and receive the feedback;

October of IB2 – work on your second draft and submit it for review;

November – December IB2 – polish your work and hand in the final version;

December – January IB2 – meet with your supervisor in the Viva Voce interview.

February of IB2 – write a final reflection, which focuses on the questions discussed with your supervisor during the interview.  

Remember, rushed work does not bode well. It only leads to weak marks and lost opportunities. Your teachers are setting those early deadlines for a reason – they want to make sure you have ample time to develop the thoroughly-researched, carefully analysed, and well-organised Extended Essay. Plus, following these deadlines can help you avoid a lot of stress.

Establishing trust and credibility

Academic honesty is a cornerstone of your Extended Essay, and proper citation is fundamental to this principle. The IBO, in its Academic Honesty in the IB Educational Context, emphasises that citing sources serves multiple critical purposes:

• it respects the intellectual contributions of others;
• distinguishes your original ideas from existing work;
• enables readers to verify your claims;
• strengthens the credibility of your research.

So, when referencing reliable sources and critically evaluating them, you demonstrate scholarly rigour and support your conclusions with evidence. This way, you can bolster trust in your work.

Failing to uphold these standards can have serious consequences. Plagiarism, whether deliberate or unintentional, may lead to a failing grade on your EE. Even your entire IB diploma may be at risk because you will not receive it without completing the Extended Essay. And while the IBO permits a second attempt at a new essay, why expose yourself to this unnecessary stress?

Proactive source management is what can help you avoid this calamity. Consider using citation tools like Zotero or EasyBib to streamline the process. However, always review their output for accuracy since errors in formatting or missing details can undermine your efforts. More importantly, make your sources work for you – integrate them thoughtfully to boost your credibility, not just fill the bibliography.

Using helpful resources

We have already discussed that an original topic can lead to an exciting investigation. But this is true only if you have access to the resources allowing you to realistically investigate this topic. These could include relevant secondary data, suitable laboratory equipment, or even willing participants.

When it comes to information sources, the key is their quality and diversity. Doing a basic internet search is a no-go since it often leads to unreliable, unverified, or overly simplified information. In other words, it simply lacks the academic rigour required for an IB Extended Essay.

Instead, you need to explore a range of materials, including print books, academic journals (e.g. The Physics Teacher or American Journal of Physics), reputable online databases such as JSTOR or Google Scholar, and others. Building an extensive pool of sources not only enriches your analysis, but also provides material for a well-organised bibliography.

Keep in mind that not all sources are trustworthy, especially those you find on the Internet. To assess their reliability, you can use the CRAP test:

• Currency – Is the source current? Does it reflect the latest advancements?
• Reliability – Are the claims supported by evidence and verifiable through other reputable works?
• Authority – Does the author or publisher have expertise? Peer-reviewed articles or university-affiliated sources typically carry more weight.
• Purpose – Is the intent to educate, or is there an agenda (e.g., commercial)? Objective sources are preferable.

While theoretical resources are important to provide a scientific background and support your claims, it is likely that you will choose a hands-on approach for your IB Physics EE. In this case, a laboratory and scientific equipment become your strategic resources. Without this equipment – and you may need not only basic measuring tools but also more specialised apparatus – you will not be able to conduct accurate experiments and collect reliable data. Therefore, when planning your EE, consider which resources you have or can obtain to carry out your chosen methodology.

Don’t forget the secrets to a good IB Physics EE

Finally, let’s explore how else you can maximise your IB Physics EE marks by incorporating visuals and blending theoretical and practical aspects of your research.

Use of accurate data and graphs

In a Physics Extended Essay, your data is typically the focal point. You will likely have a lot of it after you manipulate your independent variables, record the values of dependent ones, and run repeats to minimise random errors. That’s just the raw data. Processing it brings even more numbers into play.

So, how do you incorporate all of this into your essay? If you stuff it all into paragraphs of text, the readers will simply drown in digits. Instead, it is best to try visual tools – graphs, charts, and tables. They can make your data communication much more effective and increase your chances of getting top marks for Presentation (Criterion D). Besides, they offer other advantages for your EE:

• Visuals simplify complex info and help readers follow your work without a struggle;
• Tables and charts lay out your evidence and strengthen your arguments;
• They can break up walls of text and make your essay readable.
• Well-made visuals give your EE a professional look.

One more thing to keep in mind – graphs and tables are not included in the word count. Therefore, they leave more room for evaluation and reflection, i.e. the sections that bring critical marks. And remember, every visual must have a clear title or caption, plus proper labels and units.

Mix of theoretical research and experimental work

One of the unique aspects of the IB Physics Extended Essay is its flexibility in combining theoretical and experimental approaches. While we can see a clear focus on experimental work, purely theoretical essays are equally valid when executed with rigour and creativity.

This is the path to go if you wish to explore existing material in innovative ways, such as applying physics theories and techniques to unconventional fields. Along with this, this is an option when resource limitations make it impossible to carry out hands-on investigations. A prominent example is astrophysical topics – it is often more beneficial to use astronomical databases instead of attempting to collect primary data directly.

Still, most students decide to try their hand at experiments. In this case, you are the one who collects primary data and chooses methods that are most appropriate for this purpose. Actually, it is arguably easier to get marks for engagement when you come up with your methodology and design a setup. Building your own experiment showcases your creativity. That is why it is often more rewarding compared to relying on pre-existing data.

Having said that, you should keep practicality in mind when planning your experiments. It’s best to avoid projects that require overly complex or time-consuming apparatus. In our experience, some of the best EEs came from students who investigated simple phenomena using standard school lab equipment. This is proof that complexity does not always mean quality.

However, even in experimental essays, a solid theoretical foundation is a must. Your task is to provide scientific theories and background information that justify your hypothesis and explain your results. Therefore, your EE journey involves both the practical work of data collection and the intellectual work of gathering and understanding relevant theoretical materials.

Looking for help to write a strong IB Physics EE?

Remember, a completed Extended Essay is one of the requirements for receiving your IB diploma. Needless to say, you need to take this challenge seriously. Still, demanding coursework as well as your other commitments might get in the way of fully immersing in the process.

Do you feel you need extra support with your IB Physics EE? Let us help. At TutorsPlus, we have experienced Physics tutors who not only teach in world schools but also serve as IB EE coordinators. As a result, they have an in-depth understanding of the requirements and expectations of a top-quality Extended Essay.

You can contact our team at +41 22 731 8148 or to get the personalised support you need. We are here for you whether you’d like to improve your research question, refine your methodology, structure your essay, or receive guidance for your experimental efforts.

By Sara Lloyd

Sara has been an education consultant for TutorsPlus for 15 years, and is an expert on international IB education.  She is also a parent of two lively children.