Alright, so you're deep into the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which means you're no stranger to the grind. Two of the heaviest hitters in this program are the Internal Assessment (IA) and the Extended Essay (EE). Both are super important and can make or break your diploma, but they're different beasts altogether. Let’s break down the nitty-gritty of each, figure out if you can double-dip on your topic, and see how RevisionDojo can be your secret weapon in nailing down the perfect topics.
Getting the Lowdown on the Internal Assessment (IA)
What's the Deal? The IA is all about showing off your skills in a specific subject. It's a more hands-on or research-based project that really digs into what you’ve learned. Each subject has its own style and requirements for the IA—think experiments, investigations, or analytical essays.
Size and Scope: The IA isn't too long—usually around 6 to 12 pages or about 2,000 words, but this can vary. It zooms in on a narrow slice of the subject, so you’re not spreading yourself too thin.
Teacher’s Role: Your teachers are there to guide you through the IA. They’ll give you feedback, keep you on track, and help polish your work.
Grading: Your IA counts toward your final grade for the subject. Teachers assess it first, but it also gets a once-over by external IB moderators to keep things fair.
Breaking Down the Extended Essay (EE)
What’s the Big Idea? The EE is a deep-dive, independent research project that lets you explore a topic you’re really passionate about within an IB subject. It’s your chance to do some serious research and put together a solid, well-argued paper.
Length and Scope: This one’s heftier—up to 4,000 words. Your research question needs to be tight and focused, but still broad enough to allow for thorough investigation.
