How Examiners Grade the TOK May 2026 Essay

One of the best ways to improve your TOK May 2026 essay is to understand how examiners will grade it. The IB makes the assessment criteria clear, but many students misinterpret what examiners are actually looking for. In this guide, we’ll break down the TOK essay rubric, explain how examiners apply it, and give you strategies to meet expectations.

RevisionDojo specializes in turning the TOK rubric into a practical writing strategy so students can earn the highest possible marks.

Quick Start: What Do Examiners Want?

When grading, TOK examiners focus on:

Direct engagement with the prescribed title
Clear understanding of knowledge questions
Strong examples from Areas of Knowledge (AOKs)
Balanced analysis with counterclaims
A coherent and structured essay

The TOK Essay Rubric: Four Key Criteria

1. Understanding Knowledge Questions (10 points)

Examiners ask: Does the student identify and explore knowledge questions effectively?

High marks: You clearly frame knowledge questions, connect them to the title, and evaluate them with depth.
Low marks: You ignore knowledge questions or treat them as simple factual queries.

For tips on using KQs, see our Knowledge Questions Guide.

2. Quality of Analysis (10 points)

Examiners ask: Is the analysis insightful and balanced?

High marks: You use examples to make claims and explore counterclaims. You don’t just describe—you evaluate.
Low marks: Your essay is descriptive, lacks counterarguments, or uses vague examples.

Example: In Title 2: Doubt, strong analysis would weigh doubt as both a driver (science revolutions) and a barrier (conspiracy theories).

3. Use of Evidence & Examples (10 points)

Examiners ask: Does the essay use effective real-life examples?

High marks: You include specific, relevant, and well-analyzed examples.
Low marks: You use generic, overused, or unexplained examples.

For curated examples by title, see our Real-Life Examples Guide.

4. Organization & Coherence (10 points)

Examiners ask: Is the essay structured logically with a clear line of reasoning?

High marks: Your essay has a strong introduction, well-developed body, and a conclusion that answers the question.
Low marks: Your essay jumps between points or lacks flow.

See our Structuring the TOK Essay Guide for step-by-step planning.

How Examiners Apply the Criteria

Each essay is marked out of 40 points.
Examiners are trained to reward clarity, depth, and balance.
There’s no “one right answer”—the key is how well you engage with the title.
High-scoring essays are clear, not necessarily complex.

Strategies to Maximize Your Grade

Plan before writing – Outline claims, counterclaims, and examples.
Keep linking back to the title – Don’t drift away from the prescribed question.
Use fewer but stronger examples – Three well-analyzed examples beat ten shallow ones.
Balance perspectives – Always acknowledge counterclaims.
Check the rubric – After writing, review your essay against the four criteria.

For a full walkthrough of essay planning, see the Ultimate TOK May 2026 Essay Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do examiners decide between a Level 4 and Level 5 essay?
It often comes down to depth and balance. A Level 4 essay may have strong ideas but lack nuance or counterclaims. A Level 5 essay engages deeply with knowledge questions and perspectives.

2. Can I still score well if my essay is shorter than the word limit?
Possibly, but risky. The IB recommends 1,200–1,600 words. Shorter essays often lack depth, while longer ones may lose focus. Aim for balance.

3. Do examiners reward originality?
Yes. You don’t need unique examples, but original analysis and personal engagement always boost your score.

Conclusion: Writing With the Examiner in Mind

The TOK May 2026 essay isn’t just about answering the title—it’s about meeting the rubric’s demands. By focusing on knowledge questions, strong examples, balanced analysis, and coherent structure, you’ll write with clarity and examiner appeal.

RevisionDojo makes the grading criteria simple and actionable so you can aim for top marks with confidence.

RevisionDojo Call to Action

Want to see exactly how examiners grade? Explore our Complete Prescribed Titles Guide or use our Mistakes to Avoid Guide to refine your essay. With RevisionDojo, you’ll always write with the rubric in mind.

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