EE Playbook
Develop an independent biological question with strong subject knowledge, sharp critical thinking, and disciplined structure.
Use this guide to keep the Biology Extended Essay focused on a precise question, accurate biological terminology, evidence-based analysis, and a polished presentation that supports your argument from start to finish.
Did You Know? The easiest score jumps usually come from explicitly naming what the criterion rewards and supporting it with direct evidence.
Examiner Focus
Topic, research question, and methodology
Top-Band Move
• Topic communicated accurately and effectively • Research question clearly stated and focused • Methodology complete with evidence of informed selection
Common Penalty
• Topic communicated unclearly and incompletely • Research question stated but not clearly expressed or too broad • Methodology of the research is limited
Examiner Focus
Subject area relevance and use of terminology/concepts
Top-Band Move
• Knowledge and understanding excellent • Use of terminology and concepts good and accurate
Common Penalty
• Knowledge and understanding limited • Use of terminology and concepts unclear and limited
Examiner Focus
Analysis and evaluation of research
Top-Band Move
• Research excellent • Analysis excellent • Discussion/evaluation excellent
Common Penalty
• Research limited • Analysis limited • Discussion/evaluation limited
Examiner Focus
Structure and layout
Top-Band Move
• Structure and layout adequate/good
Common Penalty
• Structure and layout limited
Examiner Focus
Process and research focus
Top-Band Move
• Engagement good/excellent
Common Penalty
• Engagement limited
Criteria point markbands to benchmark where your current draft sits and what a stronger band demands.
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-2
• Topic communicated unclearly and incompletely • Research question stated but not clearly expressed or too broad • Methodology of the research is limited
Points 3-4
• Topic communicated adequately • Research question clearly stated but only partially focused • Methodology mostly complete
Points 5-6
• Topic communicated accurately and effectively • Research question clearly stated and focused • Methodology complete with evidence of informed selection
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-2
• Knowledge and understanding limited • Use of terminology and concepts unclear and limited
Points 3-4
• Knowledge and understanding good • Use of terminology and concepts adequate
Points 5-6
• Knowledge and understanding excellent • Use of terminology and concepts good and accurate
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-3
• Research limited • Analysis limited • Discussion/evaluation limited
Points 4-6
• Research adequate • Analysis adequate • Discussion/evaluation adequate
Points 7-9
• Research good • Analysis good • Discussion/evaluation good
Points 10-12
• Research excellent • Analysis excellent • Discussion/evaluation excellent
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-2
• Structure and layout limited
Points 3-4
• Structure and layout adequate/good
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-2
• Engagement limited
Points 3-4
• Engagement adequate
Points 5-6
• Engagement good/excellent
Did You Know? Most weak drafts fail from sequence chaos, not lack of ideas.
Step 1
Choose a biological topic that is researchable, specific, and clearly linked to the subject.
Step 2
Use accurate terminology and relevant theory so the essay sounds like biology, not general science.
Step 3
Weave findings, comparisons, and evaluation into a coherent line of reasoning instead of stacking summary paragraphs.
Step 4
Make the layout, citations, and reflective elements clean enough that the assessment can reward the thinking rather than be distracted by format issues.
Did You Know?
Upload your Biology Extended Essay draft to Marksy and get criterion-level feedback on focus, knowledge, critical thinking, presentation, and engagement. Marksy is built to grade faster with criterion-level precision, so you can improve before final submission.
Instant Grading Results
See where your score is now, not just where it could be.
Criterion-Level Feedback
Marksy explains feedback by rubric criterion, so revision is targeted.
Action List To Improve
Get concrete next edits instead of vague "improve analysis" advice.
Confidence And Integrity Signals
Review flagged sections and strengthen authenticity before submission.