IB Social and Cultural Anthropology Extended Essay Grader
- Lots of students struggle to decode their Social and Cultural Anthropology Extended Essay grade and assessment.
- This is a free grading tool that breaks down the IB Social and Cultural Anthropology EE rubric into plain English, so you understand exactly where your 4,000-word anthropological 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.
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 anthropological question that allows for ethnographic investigation and cultural analysis
- Anthropological Focus - Must be firmly based on anthropological theory covering social organization, cultural practices, or human societies
- Ethnographic Sources - Mix of ethnographic studies, anthropological literature, field reports, and cultural documentation
- Anthropological Analysis - Extended critical evaluation of cultural evidence with theoretical application and comparative analysis
- 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 anthropological ethics and cultural sensitivity where relevant
Rubric Breakdown
The Social and Cultural Anthropology EE is assessed based on five criteria, totaling 34 marks.
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
- This criterion tests how clear and focused your anthropological research question is.
- It evaluates whether your methodology is appropriate for anthropological investigation.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No clear focus or method | Research question unclear or not anthropology-related |
| 1-2 | Limited focus and method | Basic research question with minimal methodology explanation |
| 3-4 | Adequate focus and method | Clear anthropology-related question with appropriate research methodology |
| 5-6 | Excellent focus and method | Sharply focused anthropological question with sophisticated research approach maintained throughout |
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
- This evaluates your grasp of anthropological concepts and theoretical knowledge.
- It tests how well you apply anthropological theory and demonstrate cultural understanding.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No relevant knowledge | No connection to anthropological theory or concepts |
| 1-2 | Limited knowledge | Basic understanding with minimal anthropological application |
| 3-4 | Good knowledge | Clear understanding with appropriate anthropological terminology and concepts |
| 5-6 | Excellent knowledge | Sophisticated understanding with expert use of anthropological concepts and theoretical frameworks |
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
- This is the most important criterion - worth 35% of your total grade.
- It assesses your ability to analyze ethnographic data, evaluate anthropological arguments, and synthesize cultural findings.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No critical thinking | Purely descriptive, no anthropological analysis |
| 1-3 | Limited critical thinking | Some analysis but mainly descriptive |
| 4-6 | Adequate critical thinking | Clear analysis with some anthropological evaluation |
| 7-9 | Good critical thinking | Strong analysis and evaluation of ethnographic evidence |
| 10-12 | Excellent critical thinking | Sophisticated analysis with original anthropological insights and comparative evaluation |
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
- This assesses professional presentation and academic formatting.
- It includes structure, anthropological communication, and adherence to academic conventions.
| Mark Band | What It Means | Evidence You Must Show |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Poor presentation | Unclear structure, poor formatting, missing citations |
| 1-2 | Adequate presentation | Generally clear with some formatting issues |
| 3-4 | Excellent presentation | Professional structure, clear anthropological communication, proper citations |
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
- This tests your personal engagement with the anthropological 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 anthropological thinking development |
| 5-6 | Excellent engagement | Sophisticated reflection demonstrating deep anthropological research 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 anthropological research. Minor refinements needed.
- 19-23 marks (Grade B range): Strong project with good cultural analysis. Focus on critical evaluation and theoretical synthesis.
- 14-18 marks (Grade C level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen anthropological analysis and evidence evaluation.
- 9-13 mark marks (Grade D range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research focus and anthropological understanding.
- Below 9 marks (Grade E): Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen anthropological fundamentals.
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 |
- 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
Social Organization Focus:
- Investigate kinship systems, political structures, social stratification, or group dynamics.
- Include kinship theory, political anthropology, social structure analysis, and power relations.
Cultural Practices Focus:
- Examine ritual practices, belief systems, symbolic culture, or cultural transmission.
- Use symbolic anthropology, ritual theory, cognitive anthropology, and cultural interpretation.
Economic Anthropology Focus:
- Study exchange systems, economic practices, subsistence strategies, or market integration.
- Include economic theory, gift economy, reciprocity, and capitalist penetration.
Medical Anthropology Focus:
- Investigate health beliefs, healing practices, illness narratives, or medical pluralism.
- Use medical anthropology theory, embodiment, structural violence, and health disparities.
Urban Anthropology Focus:
- Analyze urban communities, migration patterns, city life, or urban-rural connections.
- Include urban theory, migration studies, spatial anthropology, and globalization.
Environmental Anthropology Focus:
- Study human-environment relations, ecological knowledge, resource management, or climate adaptation.
- Use ecological anthropology, political ecology, traditional knowledge systems, and environmental justice.
Research Process Guide
Planning Phase:
- Research question development → Literature identification → Theoretical framework selection → Methodological planning
Research Phase:
- Ethnographic literature review → Theoretical synthesis → Comparative analysis → Cultural interpretation
Writing Phase:
- Argument structure → Evidence integration → Theoretical application → Critical evaluation
Reflection Phase:
- Research process evaluation → Cultural learning insights → Methodological reflection → Ethical considerations
Anthropological Approaches Integration
- Cultural Anthropology: Symbolic systems → Cultural meanings → Interpretive analysis → Thick description
- Social Anthropology: Social structures → Group dynamics → Institutional analysis → Power relations
- Applied Anthropology: Practical applications → Policy implications → Development issues → Social change
- Theoretical Anthropology: Conceptual frameworks → Comparative analysis → Cross-cultural patterns → Human universals
Ethnographic Analysis Framework
- Descriptive Level: Cultural practices → Social behaviors → Environmental context → Historical background
- Interpretive Level: Symbolic meanings → Cultural logic → Indigenous perspectives → Emic understanding
- Theoretical Level: Anthropological concepts → Cross-cultural comparison → Theoretical synthesis → Academic contribution
And fast fixes:
- Too broad research question → Focus on specific cultural groups with clear geographical and temporal boundaries
- Insufficient ethnographic evidence → Use substantial ethnographic studies and anthropological literature
- Weak theoretical framework → Include comprehensive anthropological theories from multiple subdisciplines
- Limited cultural analysis → Move beyond description to interpretation, comparison, and theoretical application
- Poor comparative approach → Include cross-cultural comparisons or diachronic analysis where appropriate
- Missing reflexivity → Address researcher positionality and methodological considerations
- Inadequate cultural sensitivity → Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues and cultural representation
- Word count violations → Stay within 4,000 words; only first 4,000 words are marked
- Generic conclusions → Base conclusions on specific ethnographic evidence and theoretical analysis
- Poor academic referencing → Use consistent citation style and credible anthropological sources
FAQs
- Can I conduct fieldwork for my Anthropology EE?
- Generally not required - focus on ethnographic literature analysis and theoretical synthesis.
- How current should my anthropological sources be?
- Balance recent ethnographies (within 5-10 years) with classic anthropological works and foundational theories.
- Should my EE connect to coursework topics?
- Can connect but ensure substantial extension beyond classroom material with original analysis.
- What level of theoretical sophistication is expected?
- Include multiple anthropological theories with sophisticated application to ethnographic evidence.
- How important are ethnographic details?
- Very important - include rich ethnographic description to support theoretical arguments.
- Can I focus on contemporary issues?
- Absolutely - modern anthropological problems provide excellent research opportunities.
- Should I include historical context?
- Where relevant - historical anthropology and diachronic analysis strengthen cultural understanding.
- How detailed should my cultural analysis be?
- Provide deep cultural interpretation with theoretical frameworks rather than surface description.
- Can I use visual anthropology?
- Yes - photographs, films, and visual culture can support ethnographic analysis.
- What makes an Anthropology EE exceptional?
- Sophisticated theoretical integration, comprehensive ethnographic analysis, cultural sensitivity, comparative approach, and original insights.
Use the Free Social and Cultural Anthropology 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.
- Anthropology-specific analysis helps you master the ethnographic interpretation and theoretical integration that separate excellent from average Social and Cultural Anthropology Extended Essays.