The Extended Essay is a 4000-word essay written by IB students on one of their Higher Level subjects. The purpose of the EE is threefold: it develops a student’s research and writing skills, encourages critical thinking and independent research, and allows students to explore a topic of personal interest using topics from their IB subjects that they have learnt in class.
During the EE process, students need to think of what went right and what went wrong and write reflections before, during, and after the EE process. At the end of the EE writing process, the RPPF (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form) should be submitted.
Here are some guidelines on how to write your EE reflections:
What should I write in my reflections?
Generally, your reflections should show your thinking, decision-making, and planning as you worked on your EE. You should be stating: (1) your decisions that you made during the research process and why you made them; (2) how your understanding of the topic has evolved; (3) the challenges you faced and how you overcame them; (4) and your personal interest and engagement with the topic in your own words so that it is as authentic as can be.
How should I complete my RPPF?
First Reflection
- Describe your initial research question and why you chose this topic
- Discuss the possible approaches to answering your research question
- Summarise the steps you have taken so far
- Mention any challenges you foresee and how you plan to address them
Second Reflection
- Describe the progress you have made in your research
- Reflect on any changes you have made to the research plan and why you made them
- Talk about challenges you faced and how you have mitigated them
- Highlight any new skills or knowledge you have gained
Third Reflection (Viva Voce)
- Talk about your final thoughts on the research process
- Think about the outcomes of your research and what you have learned
- Mention any future research of projects you plan to continue based on what you have learned
- Share about how the research process has affected you personally and in your learning journey
Style of writing EE reflection
Students should be honest when writing their EE reflection. Remember – the reflection is not there to make you look good. The reflection is to show the mistakes you have made and what you learned from them. As students only have 500 words for their reflection, they should keep their reflections relevant to the research process and their personal growth. If you are unsure as to whether your reflections are suitable, you should consult your EE supervisor.
Get a 7 for IB Chemistry (HL/SL) with the IB Chemistry Clinic today!
As the name suggests, the IB Chemistry Clinic does not only fix a student’s grades - it helps students with critical components of the IB Programme, namely the Internal Assessment (IA) which is worth at least 20% of a student’s grade and their Extended Essay (EE) in Chemistry. The IA and EE are a non-negotiable part of the Chemistry curriculum - without them, students will not be able to graduate with an IB Diploma.
However, there are many difficulties associated with conducting experiments for the IA and EE - many replications are required and the standard for the final deliverable - the research report - is high. Students need to undertake statistical testing and present their final results coherently and concisely.
Although the IB school provides mentors for the EE and teachers at school can guide students through their IA, attention to each student is often limited in a classroom setting and many students are left to figure things out by themselves. This results in difficulty completing internal deadlines on time, especially when a student needs to juggle all their 6 subjects and the additional components of the IB, along with their CCAs and other commitments.
The IB Chemistry Clinic is here to answer all your questions - whether it is about content knowledge or fixing errors in your experimental setup as you undertake your IA journey, our skilled tutors with a strong background in Chemistry research and 30 years of experience teaching Chemistry are here to help!
Contact us at +65 9616 1651 to book your slot today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get a 7 in IB?
With time and effort, students who know the syllabus well and are well-prepared and have well-written assignments will easily get a 7 in the IB.
Is IB harder than A Levels Singapore?
The A Level exam is more difficult than the IB exam, but IB involves the Internal Assessment (IA) which features independent research which could be harder than the A Level exam.
Is 43 in IB a good score?
An IB score of 43 is an excellent score.
What is the hardest IB subject combination?
One of the hardest IB subject combinations is PCME, which involves HL Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with SL Economics.
What IB score is needed for Harvard/Oxford?
The minimum IB score for Harvard and Oxford is 40 points out of 45 points.
Is 28 a bad IB score?
The average IB score throughout the years has ranged between 28 to 30 points. All students need to score a minimum of 24 points across 6 subjects to be awarded an IB diploma.
Comments