IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Extended Essay Grader
- Lots of students struggle to decode their Sports, Exercise and Health Science Extended Essay grade and assessment.
- This is a free grading tool that breaks down the IB SEHS 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 have these key elements ready:
- Research Question - Clear, focused SEHS question that can be answered through secondary research and analysis
- SEHS Focus - Must be firmly based on sports science theory covering anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, or nutrition
- Academic Sources - Minimum 15-20 credible sources including sports science journals, research papers, and scientific publications
- SEHS Analysis - Critical evaluation of sports science 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 research ethics and participant welfare where relevant
Rubric Breakdown
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
- This criterion tests how clear and focused your SEHS research question is.
- It evaluates whether your methodology is appropriate for sports science investigation.
| Mark Band | What it Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No clear focus or method | Research question unclear or not SEHS-related |
| 1-2 | Limited focus and method | Basic research question with minimal methodology explanation |
| 3-4 | Adequate focus and method | Clear SEHS-related question with appropriate research methodology |
| 5-6 | Excellent focus and method | Sharply focused sports science question with sophisticated research approach maintained throughout |
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
- This evaluates your grasp of SEHS concepts and sports science knowledge.
- It tests how well you apply sports science theory and demonstrate subject expertise.
| Mark Band | What it Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No relevant knowledge | No connection to SEHS theory or concepts |
| 1-2 | Limited knowledge | Basic understanding with minimal sports science application |
| 3-4 | Good knowledge | Clear understanding with appropriate SEHS terminology and concepts |
| 5-6 | Excellent knowledge | Sophisticated understanding with expert use of sports science 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 sports science data, evaluate research evidence, and synthesize findings.
| Mark Band | What it Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No critical thinking | Purely descriptive, no sports science analysis |
| 1-3 | Limited critical thinking | Some analysis but mainly descriptive |
| 4-6 | Adequate critical thinking | Clear analysis with some sports science evaluation |
| 7-9 | Good critical thinking | Strong analysis and evaluation of sports science evidence |
| 10-12 | Excellent critical thinking | Sophisticated analysis with original sports science insights and balanced evaluation |
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
- This assesses professional presentation and academic formatting.
- It includes structure, sports science communication, and adherence to academic conventions.
| Mark Band | What it Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Poor presentation | Unclear structure, poor formatting, missing sports science diagrams |
| 1-2 | Adequate presentation | Generally clear with some formatting issues |
| 3-4 | Excellent presentation | Professional structure, clear sports science communication, proper citations |
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
- This tests your personal engagement with the sports science 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 sports science thinking development |
| 5-6 | Excellent engagement | Sophisticated reflection demonstrating deep SEHS research engagement |
How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool
- The embedded grader calculates your total score out of 34 marks across all five criteria.
- Here's how to interpret your results:
- 24-28 marks (Grade A territory): Excellent work with sophisticated sports science research. Minor refinements needed.
- 19-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good SEHS analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and sports science theory synthesis.
- 14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen sports science analysis and evidence evaluation.
- 9-13 marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and SEHS understanding.
- Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen sports science 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
- Exercise Physiology Focus:
- Investigate cardiovascular adaptations, metabolic responses, training effects, or performance optimization.
- Include physiological mechanisms and quantitative data from controlled studies.
- Biomechanics Focus:
- Examine movement analysis, injury mechanisms, technique optimization, or equipment effects.
- Use kinematic data, force measurements, and motion analysis studies.
- Sports Psychology Focus:
- Analyze mental performance factors, motivation theories, team dynamics, or psychological interventions.
- Include validated psychological measures and intervention effectiveness data.
- Sports Nutrition Focus:
- Study dietary strategies, supplement effects, hydration impacts, or metabolic adaptations.
- Use nutritional biochemistry and performance outcome research.
- Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation:
- Investigate injury mechanisms, prevention strategies, rehabilitation protocols, or return-to-sport criteria.
- Include epidemiological data and evidence-based interventions.
Common Mistake
And quick fixes:
- Too broad research question → Focus on specific sports science phenomena with clear population and measurable outcomes
- Insufficient SEHS sources → Use minimum 15-20 peer-reviewed papers from sports science journals and recent research
- Purely descriptive content → Include critical analysis, data synthesis, and theoretical evaluation
- Weak sports science theory → Connect findings to anatomical structures, physiological processes, biomechanical principles, or psychological theories
- Poor methodology explanation → Clearly explain your research approach and source evaluation criteria
- Missing practical applications → Discuss real-world implications for athletes, coaches, or sports medicine
- Inadequate sports science communication → Use proper terminology, clear diagrams, and precise scientific language
- Word count violations → Stay within 4,000 words; only first 4,000 words are marked
- Generic conclusions → Base conclusions on specific sports science evidence and quantitative analysis
- Poor academic referencing → Use consistent citation style and credible sports science sources
FAQs
- Can I conduct original experiments for my SEHS EE?
- Not recommended - focus on literature analysis and secondary data synthesis rather than primary research.
- How current should my sports science sources be?
- Prioritize recent research (within 3-5 years) especially for rapidly evolving areas like sports technology and training methods.
- Should my EE connect to my IA topic?
- No, avoid overlap - choose a different SEHS focus or research approach for your EE.
- What level of scientific detail is expected?
- Include physiological mechanisms and biomechanical principles but ensure accessibility to educated readers.
- How important are sports science diagrams?
- Very important - include anatomical diagrams, performance data graphs, biomechanical illustrations, and training periodization charts.
- Can I focus on specific sports or populations?
- Yes, sport-specific or population-specific analysis provides focused scope and practical relevance.
- Should I include statistical analysis?
- Where relevant - meta-analysis techniques and quantitative synthesis enhance research quality.
- How detailed should my literature review be?
- Provide comprehensive coverage of key studies with critical evaluation rather than descriptive summary.
- Can I use sports industry reports?
- Sparingly - prioritize peer-reviewed research over commercial reports for scientific credibility.
- What makes a SEHS EE stand out?
- Current sports science relevance, practical applications, quantitative analysis, and original synthesis of research findings.
Use the Free SEHS 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.
- SEHS-specific analysis helps you master the sports science research and critical evaluation that separate excellent from average SEHS Extended Essays.
