IB Chemistry EE Examples

• French B
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• German A
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• German B
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• History
• History (First Exam 2028)
• Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (AA)
• Mathematics Applications & Interpretation (AI)
• Philosophy
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• Psychology
• Psychology (First Exam 2027)
• Spanish A
• Spanish A Lit
• Spanish ab initio
• Spanish B
• Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS)
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• World Religions

1. Before using the grader, ensure you have these key elements ready:
   1. Research Question - Clear, focused chemical question that can be answered through secondary research and analysis
   2. Chemical Focus - Must be firmly based on established chemical theory from molecular to industrial level
   3. Academic Sources - Minimum 15-20 credible sources including peer-reviewed journals, research papers, and scientific publications
   4. Chemical Analysis - Critical evaluation of chemical evidence with data interpretation and theory application
   5. Word Count Verification - Maximum 4,000 words (excluding bibliography, footnotes, and appendices)
   6. Complete Structure - Introduction, Investigation, Analysis, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Reflections
   7. Supervisor Meetings - Evidence of 3 mandatory reflection sessions with your EE supervisor
   8. Safety & Ethics - Discussion of chemical safety and environmental implications where relevant

Rubric Breakdown

The Chemistry EE is assessed using five criteria, totalling 34 marks:

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)

1. This criterion tests how clear and focused your chemical research question is.
2. It evaluates whether your methodology is appropriate for chemical investigation.

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)

1. This evaluates your grasp of chemical concepts and scientific knowledge.
2. It tests how well you apply chemical theory and demonstrate subject expertise.

Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)

1. This is the most important criterion - worth 35% of your total grade.
2. It assesses your ability to analyze chemical data, evaluate scientific evidence, and synthesize findings.

Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)

1. This assesses professional presentation and academic formatting.
2. It includes structure, chemical communication, and adherence to academic conventions.

Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)

1. This tests your personal engagement with the chemical research process.
2. It's based on your reflection sessions and demonstrates your intellectual development.

How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool

1. The embedded grader calculates your total score out of 28 marks across all criteria except E, your reflections.
2. Here's how to interpret your results:
   1. 24-28 marks (Grade A territory): Excellent work with sophisticated chemical research. Minor refinements needed.
   2. 19-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good chemical analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and chemical theory synthesis.
   3. 14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen chemical analysis and evidence evaluation.
   4. 9-13 marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and chemical understanding.
   5. Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen chemical fundamentals.

Grade Boundaries & Converting Your Mark

IB Extended Essay grade boundaries are consistent across subjects but can vary slightly by session:

Subject-Specific Tips

1. Organic Chemistry Focus:
   1. Investigate reaction mechanisms, synthesis pathways, structure-activity relationships, or stereochemistry effects.
   2. Include detailed reaction schemes and mechanistic explanations with electron movement.
2. Physical Chemistry Focus:
   1. Examine thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy applications, or computational chemistry studies.
   2. Use quantitative data analysis and mathematical relationships from published research.
3. Analytical Chemistry Focus:
   1. Focus on analytical methods, instrumentation comparisons, method validation, or trace analysis techniques.
   2. Include precision/accuracy data and method performance comparisons.
4. Inorganic Chemistry Focus:
   1. Analyze coordination compounds, solid-state chemistry, materials science, or catalysis mechanisms.
   2. Use structural data and electronic properties to support arguments.
5. Environmental Chemistry Focus:
   1. Investigate pollution remediation, green chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, or water treatment processes.
   2. Include environmental impact assessment and sustainability considerations.

FAQs

1. Can I conduct original experiments for my Chemistry EE?
   1. Not recommended - focus on literature review and secondary data analysis rather than primary experimentation.
2. How current should my chemical sources be?
   1. Prioritize recent research (within 3-5 years) especially for rapidly evolving fields like materials chemistry and drug development.
3. Should my EE connect to my IA topic?
   1. No, avoid overlap - choose a different chemical focus or research approach for your EE.
4. What level of chemical mathematics is expected?
   1. Include relevant calculations and quantitative analysis but focus on chemical understanding rather than complex mathematics.
5. How important are chemical diagrams and structures?
   1. Very important - include molecular structures, reaction schemes, phase diagrams, and spectroscopic data where relevant.
6. Can I focus on biochemistry topics?
   1. Yes, but ensure chemical focus on molecular mechanisms, enzyme chemistry, or metabolic pathways rather than purely biological aspects.
7. Should I include computational chemistry?
   1. Where relevant - molecular modeling and theoretical calculations can enhance analysis but shouldn't dominate.
8. How detailed should my chemical mechanisms be?
   1. Include detailed mechanisms with electron movement, intermediates, and transition states where they support your analysis.
9. Can I use chemical databases as sources?
   1. Yes, chemical databases (SciFinder, Reaxys) are excellent for property data and reaction information.
10. What makes a Chemistry EE stand out?
    1. Current chemical relevance, sophisticated molecular understanding, quantitative analysis, and original synthesis of chemical knowledge.

Use the Free Chemistry Extended Essay Grader Now

1. Stop guessing about your grade.
2. The comprehensive grading tool evaluates your EE against all five official criteria, giving instant feedback on strengths and improvement areas.
3. Input your project details and get a preliminary grade calculation that helps you focus revision efforts where they matter most.
4. Chemistry-specific analysis helps you master the chemical research and critical evaluation that separate excellent from average Chemistry Extended Essays.

Subject specific rubrics

View your feedback in the context of the subject rubric and broken down by criteria strands.