As an IB educator, I’ve witnessed the Extended Essay (EE) change over time, and the 2025 update marks some significant shifts in the IB’s new EE curriculum – introduced in  2025, with the first assessment in 2027.

Don’t worry, the core idea is still the same – you’ll research a topic you care about and write a formal 4,000-word essay. But there are important structural, assessment, and criteria changes that all IBDP students must be aware of. In this extended essay guide, I’ll break down the key changes and share tips on how you can adapt effectively, so you can make the most of your EE experience.

What’s New in the International Baccalaureate Extended Essay

In a nutshell, here are the big changes as of 2025 according to the IBO:

1. Two Research Pathways: You can choose between a traditional, subject-focused essay or a new interdisciplinary essay that combines two subjects. The old “World Studies” option is now part of this interdisciplinary pathway.
2. No More Category Restrictions in Language EEs: If you write your EE in a Language A or B subject, you no longer have to fit into strict categories (like literature analysis vs. culture). Those category labels have been removed to give you more freedom.
3. Revised Assessment Criteria: The EE is still graded on five criteria, A-E. With a total of 30 marks, some criteria have been adjusted or merged for clarity.
4. Refined Reflection Criteria: Reflection, criteria E, (the process of thinking about what you’ve learned through the EE) is still required, but the emphasis is now on how you grew as a learner and what skills you developed. The requirement has been reduced from three reflections to one reflection. The word count is still 500 words.
5. New Subject Guidance & Support: The IB is updating its support materials. Guidance is now organized by subject group (e.g. all sciences, all individuals & societies) rather than each subject having its own separate guide.

Each of these changes affects how you should approach your Extended Essay. Let’s look at the ones that are most significant, and discuss how you can address them.

Two Research Pathways: Subject-Focused vs. Interdisciplinary

One of the most exciting updates is the introduction of two distinct research pathways for your EE:

Subject-Focused Pathway: The classic route – you investigate a research question within one IB subject area (usually one of your six DP subjects). This remains a great choice if you’re passionate about a particular subject and want to dig deep in that field.

Interdisciplinary Pathway: A new option that lets you combine two subjects to explore a topic that crosses traditional boundaries. This is essentially an expansion of the old World Studies EE, now open to any combination of two DP subjects. For example, you might examine a topic like “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health” by blending psychology and economics, or study “Sustainable Architectural Design” by combining physics and visual arts. The goal is to encourage a broader, connected approach to research.

With the new extended essay, the IB wants to give students more flexibility to pursue complex questions that can be researched through the lens of more than one subject. If you have a topic that spans subjects, the interdisciplinary EE might be perfect for you. On the other hand, sticking to a single subject is equally valid – it really depends on your research question and your area of interest.

So How Do You Choose Your Pathway?

Play to your strengths: If you have a clear passion for one subject (say, Biology or History) and a question that fits within it, the subject-focused path lets you dive deep. If instead your interests bridge two areas (like politics and literature), the interdisciplinary path lets you explore that intersection.

Consider resources and guidance: An interdisciplinary essay means you’ll need to understand and apply methods from two disciplines. Make sure you have access to research materials and maybe even teachers or mentors from both subject areas. It can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires good planning.

Narrow your focus: Even with two subjects, you still need a focused research question. Don’t try to cover everything. Choose a specific angle that benefits from both perspectives.

Integration is key: If you go interdisciplinary, aim to truly integrate the subjects rather than writing two separate mini-essays. The subjects should interact in your analysis. For example, if you combine Economics and Environmental Science, show how economic theory and environmental data together inform your conclusion. Remember, whether you choose one subject or two, the Extended Essay is about exploring a topic that interests and excites you. The new pathways just mean you have more freedom in how you do that.

A Stronger Emphasis on Reflection (Growth as a Learner)

If you’ve heard from older students about the Extended Essay, you might know that reflecting on your research process is a big deal. This hasn’t changed – you’ll still have three formal reflection sessions with your supervisor and do a short interview called the viva voce at the end. You’ll also write a 500-word reflection statement (recorded on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form) about what you learned during the EE process. What has changed is how reflection is assessed and what you’re expected to discuss.

In the new EE, the Reflection criterion (Criterion E) is worth 4 marks (it used to be 6 under the old system). While it has a bit less weight in the scoring, the quality of reflection is emphasized more. The focus is on how you grew as a learner and the transferable skills you developed through this extended essay research. In other words, it’s less about narrating what you did and much more about analyzing how you did it and how you evolved. Did you improve your time management? Learn to adjust your strategy after hitting a roadblock? Develop a new appreciation for research or a subject area? Those are the insights the IB wants to see.

According to the updated criteria, you should “evaluate the effect of the extended essay learning experience on [yourself] as a learner”. Reflections that highlight personal and academic growth – rather than just a timeline of tasks – will score well. For example, instead of writing “First I researched X, then I wrote a draft…”, you’d write “Researching X was challenging because of Y, so I learned to do Z, which improved my approach and taught me skill.” Reflect on challenges, successes, and what you would do differently next time.

Tips for Effective Reflection:

Keep a research journal: As you work on your IB Extended Essay, pen down moments of insight or challenges. Perhaps you struggled to find data at first, or you discovered you love the investigative part of research. These notes will be helpful when you write your reflections, you remember how your ideas changed / shaped over time.

Use the reflection sessions wisely: During your formal check-ins with your supervisor, discuss not just what you’re doing, but how you’re doing. Talk about your approach, any obstacles, and how you’re handling them. This will prepare you to write a deeper reflection and signals to your supervisor (who writes a report too) that you are engaging thoughtfully.

Focus on skills and mindset: Think about IB’s Approaches to Learning – skills like critical thinking, communication, self-management, etc. How did doing an EE strengthen these? Maybe you became more organized or more patient with the research process. Mention that growth.

Be honest and specific: A good reflection isn’t “I learned a lot about topic X.” It’s “I learned how to formulate a complex question and persist even when answers weren’t obvious. For instance, when my initial experiment failed, I developed problem-solving skills by redesigning the methodology.” Real examples of your experience make the reflection authentic and insightful.

By approaching reflection as a chance to showcase your learning journey, you’ll not only score better on Criterion E, but also gain more from the EE process itself. The Extended Essay isn’t just about the final essay – it’s about becoming a more confident, capable researcher and learner.

You Can Get on Track Early

Leverage your resources! Here are some Extended Essay tips:

Read the relevant EE guide for your subject or subject group as soon as you start. It’s not the most thrilling reading, but it will outline what IB expects. Since the format is new, pay attention to any sections labelled student-friendly – the IB is trying to use clearer language in these guides to make them more accessible.

Ask for examples. If you can see a high-scoring EE (especially one in your subject or one that uses the pathway you’re interested in), it demystifies a lot. Notice how that essay is structured, how the research question is framed, and how the analysis is done. Just remember, an example is one way of doing it, not the only way – use it for inspiration, not as a formula.

Attend EE sessions if your school offers them. Many schools will hold orientation sessions for the new EE guidelines, or group meetings to discuss progress. Going to these can give you insights from the EE coordinator and let you hear questions from other students.

Use online IB resources. The IB’s official website and student communities might publish FAQs or tips for the new EE. Keep an eye out for any official IB blog posts or newsletters about the EE changes. Reliable IB-focused forums (like IB alumni blogs, etc.) might also share advice as the first cohort goes through the new system.

The bottom line is, you’re not alone in this process. The EE may be an independent project, but with the improved support materials, you have more guidance than ever – make sure to use it!

Final Thoughts

The Extended Essay of 2025 is an evolution, not a revolution. The IB has kept the core principles of independent research and academic writing intact, while introducing changes to make the experience clearer and more flexible for students. As an EE coordinator, I truly believe these updates – from the two research pathways to the refined criteria – are there to help you produce a more insightful and rewarding essay.

Change may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, you can adapt and even thrive under the new system. Use the tips in this extended essay guide, stay proactive, and turn these changes into advantages. The EE is a journey, and with the 2025 improvements, it can be a journey where you have more choices and learn even more along the way.

Good luck with your ! Remember, it’s not just about getting to that final word count – it’s about growing as a thinker and researcher. Embrace the new requirements as part of that growth. And when you find yourself faced with a challenge, know that countless students around the world are navigating this new EE alongside you, and your teachers are here to guide you. You’ve got this!

Shalini Kulshrestha has over two decades of teaching experience in IB and Cambridge; her current roles include Extended Essay coordinator and IB examiner.

Sources:

1. ‘DP extended essay updates – International Baccalaureate®’
2. ‘The Extended Essay is Changing. Here’s What We Know So Far.’
3. IBDP Subject Brief: Extended Essay First Assessment 2027

Interested in going further with your Extended Essay?

CourseLeap’s Guidance for Extended Essay provides specialised support for students writing their EE, with guided planning, expert feedback and a commitment to academic integrity.

Going to Grade 11 and new to the EE? Get a headstart on the IB Core with our Pre-IB Introduction to IB Core.

Read more:

The Interplay between DP Core and Predicted Grades

CourseLeap’s IBDP Success Guide: From Extended Essay to Internal Assessments