IB Psychology EE

IB Psychology Extended Essay Grader

1. Lots of students struggle to decode their Psychology Extended Essay grade and assessment.
2. This is a free grading tool that breaks down the IB Psychology EE rubric into plain English, so you understand exactly where your 4,000-word psychological research project stands across all five assessment criteria.
3. The embedded grader makes self-evaluation faster and more accurate than manual rubric checking, so you're never left guessing.

Quick Start Checklist

Quick Start Checklist

1. Before using the grader, ensure you understand these key elements:
   1. Research Question - Clear, focused psychological question that allows for extended investigation and analysis
   2. Psychology Focus - Must be firmly based on psychological theory covering biological, cognitive, or sociocultural approaches
   3. Academic Sources - Minimum 15-20 credible sources including psychological journals, research papers, and empirical studies
   4. Psychological Analysis - Extended critical evaluation of psychological evidence with theory application and research interpretation
   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. Ethical Considerations - Discussion of research ethics and psychological methodology where relevant

Rubric Breakdown

The Psychology EE is assessed across five criteria, totalling 34 marks:

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)

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

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)

1. This evaluates your grasp of psychological concepts and psychological theory knowledge.
2. It tests how well you apply psychological 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 psychological data, evaluate psychological arguments, and synthesize findings.

Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)

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

Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)

1. This tests your personal engagement with the psychological 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 psychological research. Minor refinements needed.
   2. 29-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good psychological analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and theory synthesis.
   3. 14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen psychological analysis and evidence evaluation.
   4. 9-13 marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and psychological understanding.
   5. Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen psychological fundamentals.

Grade Boundaries & Converting Your Mark

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

Subject-Specific Tips

Biological Psychology Focus:

1. Investigate neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, brain-behavior relationships, or biological bases of mental disorders.
2. Include neurobiological theories, brain imaging studies, neurotransmitter research, and physiological mechanisms.

Cognitive Psychology Focus:

1. Examine memory processes, attention mechanisms, perception, language, or problem-solving.
2. Use cognitive models, information processing theories, experimental evidence, and computational approaches.

Social Psychology Focus:

1. Study social influence, group dynamics, prejudice, relationships, or social cognition.
2. Include social psychological theories, experimental studies, cultural considerations, and interpersonal processes.

Developmental Psychology Focus:

1. Investigate cognitive development, social development, attachment theory, or lifespan changes.
2. Use developmental theories, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional research, and age-related analyses.

Clinical Psychology Focus:

1. Analyze mental disorders, therapeutic approaches, assessment methods, or treatment effectiveness.
2. Include diagnostic criteria, therapeutic theories, outcome studies, and evidence-based practice.

Cross-Cultural Psychology Focus:

1. Study cultural influences on cognition, emotion, behavior, or psychological processes.
2. Use cultural theories, cross-cultural studies, indigenous psychologies, and cultural comparisons.

Research Process Guide

1. Planning Phase: Research question development → Literature identification → Theoretical framework → Supervisor consultation
2. Research Phase: Comprehensive literature review → Theory synthesis → Evidence evaluation → Critical analysis
3. Writing Phase: Argument structure → Theory integration → Evidence presentation → Critical evaluation
4. Reflection Phase: Research process evaluation → Learning insights → Methodological reflection → Future directions

Psychological Approaches Integration

1. Biological Approach: Neuroscience research → Physiological mechanisms → Brain-behavior connections → Genetic influences
2. Cognitive Approach: Information processing → Mental representations → Cognitive mechanisms → Experimental evidence

FAQs

1. Can I conduct original experiments for my Psychology EE?
   1. Generally not recommended - focus on literature analysis and theoretical synthesis rather than primary research.
2. How current should my psychological sources be?
   1. Prioritize recent research (within 5 years) while including foundational studies and classic theories.
3. Should my EE connect to IA topic?
   1. No, avoid overlap - choose a different psychological focus or research approach for your EE.
4. What level of statistical detail is expected?
   1. Include statistical evidence from studies but ensure accessibility to educated readers.
5. How important are psychological diagrams?
   1. Very important - include brain diagrams, process models, theoretical frameworks, and data visualizations.
6. Can I focus on specific populations?
   1. Yes - age groups, clinical populations, or cultural groups provide focused scope and practical relevance.
7. Should I include meta-analyses?
   1. Where available - meta-analytical evidence provides robust statistical synthesis of research findings.
8. How detailed should my literature review be?
   1. Provide comprehensive coverage of key theories and empirical research with critical evaluation.
9. Can I use case studies?
   1. Sparingly - individual cases should support broader arguments rather than dominate analysis.
10. What makes a Psychology EE outstanding?
    1. Sophisticated theoretical integration, comprehensive literature analysis, original insights, critical evaluation, and clear psychological focus.

Use the Free Psychology 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. Psychology-specific analysis helps you master the theoretical integration and critical evaluation that separate excellent from average Psychology Extended Essays.