EE Playbook
Shape a focused research question, use the right evidence, and keep the argument geographically grounded.
This structure keeps the essay focused on the question, the evidence disciplined, and the evaluation explicit.
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 informed selection
Common Penalty
- Topic communicated unclearly and incompletely - Research question stated but not clearly expressed or too broad - Methodology limited
Examiner Focus
Subject relevance and use of terminology/concepts
Top-Band Move
- Excellent knowledge/understanding - Good use of accurate terminology/concepts
Common Penalty
- Limited knowledge/understanding - Terminology/concepts unclear and limited
Examiner Focus
Analysis, evaluation, and argument development
Top-Band Move
- Excellent research and analysis - Excellent discussion/evaluation with coherent argument
Common Penalty
- Limited research and analysis - Limited discussion/evaluation (Max 3 marks if topic inappropriate for subject)
Examiner Focus
Structure and layout (Note: Markband descriptors not provided in the extracted content)
Top-Band Move
Refer to criterion descriptors for highest band performance.
Common Penalty
Refer to criterion descriptors for lowest positive band performance.
Examiner Focus
Research process and focus (Note: Markband descriptors not provided in the extracted content)
Top-Band Move
Refer to criterion descriptors for highest band performance.
Common Penalty
Refer to criterion descriptors for lowest positive band performance.
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
Points 3-4
- Topic communicated adequately - Research question clearly stated but partially focused - Methodology mostly complete (Max 4 marks if topic inappropriate for subject)
Points 5-6
- Topic communicated accurately and effectively - Research question clear 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
- Limited knowledge/understanding - Terminology/concepts unclear and limited
Points 3-4
- Good knowledge/understanding - Adequate use of terminology/concepts (Max 4 marks if topic inappropriate for subject)
Points 5-6
- Excellent knowledge/understanding - Good use of accurate 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 (Max 3 marks if topic inappropriate for subject)
Points 4-6
- Adequate research and analysis - Adequate discussion/evaluation
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
Make the topic specific enough to support fieldwork, case studies, or comparative analysis without drifting.
Step 2
Use sources that genuinely help you analyse the spatial issue rather than simply describing it.
Step 3
Tie every section back to place, scale, patterns, and the geographical concepts in play.
Step 4
Make sure the final judgement follows from the analysis and directly answers the research question.
Did You Know?
Upload your Extended Essay draft to Marksy and get actionable feedback on focus, evidence, and criteria alignment in minutes. 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.