Lots of students struggle to decode their Biology Extended Essay grade and assessment.
This is a free grading tool that breaks down the IB Biology EE rubric into plain English, so you understand exactly where your 4,000-word research project stands across all five assessment criteria.
The embedded grader makes self-evaluation faster and more accurate than manual rubric checking, so you're never left guessing.
Note
The grader works in two modes:
Draft Mode: Quick assessment of your work-in-progress. Input your current sections and get instant feedback on which criteria need more work before you finish writing.
Full Mode: Complete evaluation of your finished EE. Input your final project details across all criteria and get a comprehensive grade breakdown with specific improvement suggestions for each section.
Quick Start Checklist
Before using the grader, ensure you understand these key elements:
Research Question - Clear, focused biological question that can be answered through secondary research and analysis
Biological Focus - Must be firmly based on accepted biological theory from molecular to ecosystem level
Academic Sources - Minimum 15-20 credible sources including peer-reviewed journals, research papers, and scientific publications
Scientific Analysis - Critical evaluation of biological evidence with data interpretation and theory application
Word Count Verification - Maximum 4,000 words (excluding bibliography, footnotes, and appendices)
Complete Structure - Introduction, Investigation, Analysis, Conclusion, Bibliography, and Reflections
Supervisor Meetings - Evidence of 3 mandatory reflection sessions with your EE supervisor
Ethical Considerations - Discussion of ethical implications where relevant to biological research
Rubric Breakdown
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
This criterion tests how clear and focused your biological research question is.
It evaluates whether your methodology is appropriate for biological investigation.
Mark Band
What It Means
Evidence You Must Show
0
No clear focus or method
Research question unclear or not biology-related
1-2
Limited focus and method
Basic research question with minimal methodology explanation
3–4
Adequate focus and method
Clear biology-related question with appropriate research methodology
5-6
Excellent focus and method
Sharply focused biological question with sophisticated research approach maintained throughout
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
This evaluates your grasp of biological concepts and scientific knowledge.
It tests how well you apply biological theory and demonstrate subject expertise.
Mark Band
What It Means
Evidence You Must Show
0
No relevant knowledge
No connection to biological theory or concepts
1-2
Limited knowledge
Basic understanding with minimal scientific application
3-4
Good knowledge
Clear understanding with appropriate biological terminology
5-6
Excellent knowledge
Sophisticated understanding with expert use of biological concepts and terminology
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
This is the most important criterion - worth 35% of your total grade.
It assesses your ability to analyze biological data, evaluate scientific evidence, and synthesize findings.
Mark Band
What It Means
Evidence You Must Show
0
No critical thinking
Purely descriptive, no scientific analysis
1-3
Limited critical thinking
Some analysis but mainly descriptive
4-6
Adequate critical thinking
Clear analysis with some scientific evaluation
7-9
Good critical thinking
Strong analysis and evaluation of biological evidence
10-12
Excellent critical thinking
Sophisticated analysis with original biological insights and balanced scientific evaluation
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
This assesses professional presentation and academic formatting.
It includes structure, scientific communication, and adherence to academic conventions.
Mark Band
What It Means
Evidence You Must Show
0
Poor presentation
Unclear structure, poor formatting
1-2
Adequate presentation
Generally clear with some formatting issues
3-4
Excellent presentation
Professional structure, clear formatting, proper citations
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
This tests your personal engagement with the biological research process.
It's based on your reflection sessions and demonstrates your intellectual development.
Mark Band
What It Means
Evidence You Must Show
0
No engagement
Minimal reflection, no evidence of personal involvement
1-2
Limited engagement
Basic reflection with some personal connection
3-4
Good engagement
Clear reflection showing intellectual development
5-6
Excellent engagement
Sophisticated reflection demonstrating deep personal engagement
How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool
The embedded grader calculates your total score out of 28 marks across all criteria except E, your reflections.
Here's how to interpret your results:
24-28 marks (Grade A territory): Excellent work with sophisticated physics research. Minor refinements needed.
19-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good physical analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and chemical theory synthesis.
14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen physical analysis and evidence evaluation.
9-13 marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and physical understanding.
Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen biological fundamentals.
Tip
If you're between bands, focus on Criterion C (Critical Thinking) - it offers the biggest impact for improvement.
Grade Boundaries & Converting Your Mark
IB Extended Essay grade boundaries are consistent across subjects but can vary slightly by session:
IB Grade
Mark Range (out of 34)
Percentage
Description
A
27-34
79-100%
Excellent
B
21-26
62-76%
Good
C
14-20
41-59%
Satisfactory
D
7-13
21-38%
Mediocre
E
0-6
0-18%
Elementary
Tip
Grades D or E in your EE mean you cannot receive the IB Diploma, regardless of other grades
Your EE grade combines with TOK to contribute up to 3 bonus points to your total IB score.
Subject-Specific Tips
Molecular Biology Focus:
Investigate protein function, genetic regulation, enzyme kinetics, or metabolic pathways.
Include biochemical mechanisms and molecular interactions in your analysis.
Ecology & Environmental Biology:
Focus on species interactions, ecosystem dynamics, conservation strategies, or environmental impacts.
Use quantitative ecological data and statistical analysis from published studies.
Cell Biology & Physiology:
Examine cellular processes, organ system function, homeostasis, or disease mechanisms.
Include physiological data and experimental evidence from research literature.
Evolutionary Biology:
Analyze evolutionary mechanisms, phylogenetic relationships, adaptation strategies, or speciation processes.
Use comparative studies and molecular evidence to support arguments.
Biotechnology & Applied Biology:
Investigate biotechnological applications, medical advances, agricultural innovations, or bioethics.
Include current research, practical applications, and societal implications.
Common Mistake
And quick fixes
Too broad research question → Focus on specific biological processes or organisms with clear scope
Insufficient scientific sources → Use minimum 15-20 peer-reviewed papers and current research (within 5 years)
Purely descriptive content → Include critical analysis, data evaluation, and scientific synthesis
Weak biological theory application → Connect findings to molecular mechanisms, evolutionary principles, or ecological concepts
Poor methodology explanation → Clearly explain your research approach and source selection criteria
Missing ethical considerations → Address ethical implications of biological research where relevant
Inadequate scientific communication → Use proper biological terminology and clear scientific language
Word count violations → Stay within 4,000 words; only first 4,000 words are marked
Generic conclusions → Base conclusions on specific biological evidence and scientific analysis
Poor academic referencing → Use consistent citation style and credible scientific sources
If You're Between Bands or Uncertain:
Review Specific Criteria: Identify which criteria have lower scores and focus on improving those areas.
Seek Feedback: Consult with your supervisor or peers to gain insights into areas needing enhancement.
FAQs
Can I conduct original experiments for my Biology EE?
Not recommended - focus on literature review and secondary data analysis rather than primary experimentation.
How current should my sources be?
Prioritize recent research (within 5 years) for rapidly evolving fields like molecular biology and biotechnology.
Should my EE connect to my IA topic?
No, avoid overlap - choose a different biological focus or research approach for your EE.
What level of biological detail is expected?
Include molecular-level explanations where relevant, but ensure accessibility to educated non-specialists.
How important are diagrams and figures?
Very important - include scientific diagrams, data graphs, and concept illustrations to support your analysis.
Can I focus on human biology and medicine?
Yes, medical applications and human physiology are excellent topics with rich research literature.
Should I include statistical analysis?
Where relevant - analyze quantitative data from studies but avoid complex statistics unless necessary.
How detailed should my methodology section be?
Explain your research strategy, source selection criteria, and analytical approach clearly.
Can I use textbooks as primary sources?
Sparingly - prioritize primary research papers and peer-reviewed journals over textbooks.
What makes a Biology EE stand out?
Current scientific relevance, sophisticated analysis, clear biological understanding, and original synthesis of research findings.
Use the Free Biology Extended Essay Grader Now
Stop guessing about your grade.
The comprehensive grading tool evaluates your EE against all five official criteria, giving instant feedback on strengths and improvement areas.
Input your project details and get a preliminary grade calculation that helps you focus revision efforts where they matter most.
Biology-specific analysis helps you master the scientific research and critical evaluation that separate excellent from average Biology Extended Essays.
IB Biology EE AI Grader Tool
How the IB Biology EE Grader Works and Frequently Asked Questions
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