EE Playbook
Shape a focused chemistry question, show subject knowledge clearly, and argue from evidence with control and precision.
Use this guide to keep the Chemistry Extended Essay disciplined around a specific question, accurate chemical terminology, coherent analysis, and a conclusion that is explicitly grounded in the science you present.
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 clear and focused - Methodology complete with evidence of effective, informed selection
Common Penalty
- Topic communicated unclearly and incompletely - Research question stated but not clearly expressed or too broad - Methodology limited in range and evidence of informed selection
Examiner Focus
Subject-specific knowledge and use of terminology/concepts
Top-Band Move
- Excellent knowledge/understanding - Good, accurate use of terminology/concepts
Common Penalty
- Limited knowledge/understanding - Terminology/concepts unclear or inaccurate
Examiner Focus
Research, analysis, discussion and evaluation
Top-Band Move
- Excellent research and analysis - Excellent discussion/evaluation with coherent argument
Common Penalty
- Limited research and analysis - Limited discussion/evaluation with unclear argument (Max 3 marks if topic/question inappropriate for subject)
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 limited in range and evidence of informed selection
Points 3-4
- Topic communicated adequately - Research question clearly stated but only partially focused - Methodology mostly complete and generally relevant (Max 4 marks if topic/question inappropriate for subject)
Points 5-6
- Topic communicated accurately and effectively - Research question clear and focused - Methodology complete with evidence of effective, informed selection
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-2
- Limited knowledge/understanding - Terminology/concepts unclear or inaccurate
Points 3-4
- Good knowledge/understanding - Adequate use of terminology/concepts (Max 4 marks if topic/question inappropriate for subject)
Points 5-6
- Excellent knowledge/understanding - Good, accurate use of terminology/concepts
Points 0
The work does not reach a standard outlined by the descriptors below.
Points 1-3
- Limited research and analysis - Limited discussion/evaluation with unclear argument (Max 3 marks if topic/question inappropriate for subject)
Points 4-6
- Adequate research and analysis - Adequate discussion/evaluation with some inconsistencies
Points 7-9
- Good research and analysis - Good discussion/evaluation with effective argument
Points 10-12
- Excellent research and analysis - Excellent discussion/evaluation with coherent argument
Did You Know? Most weak drafts fail from sequence chaos, not lack of ideas.
Step 1
Pick a chemistry topic narrow enough to support sustained investigation and direct evidence.
Step 2
Keep terminology, mechanisms, and theory accurate so the essay reads as specialist writing.
Step 3
Use evidence, comparison, and analysis to answer the question rather than summarizing sources one by one.
Step 4
Make presentation, citations, and overall structure clean enough that the argument stays at the center of the reading experience.
Did You Know?
Upload your Chemistry Extended Essay draft to Marksy and get focused feedback on the parts of the rubric that matter most. 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.