IB Theory of Knowledge Resources
Browse IB Theory of Knowledge notes, and revision tools for SL and HL.
IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a core subject in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). It explores critical thinking about knowledge itself, examining how we know what we claim to know across different areas of knowledge including the natural sciences, human sciences, history, the arts, and mathematics, with a strong focus on philosophical inquiry, reflection on ways of knowing, and understanding the nature of knowledge claims.
The course requires 100 teaching hours over the two-year diploma programme and does not have Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) distinctions as it is a mandatory core component for all IBDP students, with first assessment in 2022 for the current syllabus format.
TOK Essay Prompts
Is the advice to "study the historian before you begin to study their work" (adapted from E.H. Carr) good advice? Explore with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.
To what extent do you agree that failure is an essential part of the production of knowledge? Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
In the production of knowledge, why is it that ideas are so often more alluring than facts? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
To what extent do you agree that the artist and the natural scientist should be equally concerned with ethical questions? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.
Does the need to share knowledge pose challenges in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Given that it lacks evidence, how is it that intuition is so valuable in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
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Assessment at a Glance
| Assessment | Format | Duration/Length | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOK Essay | External assessment - 1,600-word essay on prescribed title | 1,600 words | 67% |
| TOK Exhibition | Internal assessment - commentary on 3 objects linked to TOK prompts | 950 words total (commentary) | 33% |
All Topics
6.1. Title 1: Study the Historian
6.2. Title 2: Failure and Knowledge Production
6.3. Title 3: The Allure of Ideas Over Facts
6.4. Title 4: Ethics in the Arts and Natural Sciences
6.5. Title 5: Sharing Knowledge and Its Challenges
6.6. Title 6: Intuition Without Evidence
6.7 TOK Essay General Guide Nov 2026
Course Aims & Skills
Encourage students to reflect on the central question, 'How do we know that?', and to recognize the value of asking that question
Expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with multiple plausible answers
Equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world, and help prepare them to encounter novel and complex situations
