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Physics EE Criteria Guide

Build a focused physics question, use subject knowledge accurately, and develop a clear chain of reasoning from evidence to conclusion.

For assessment in 2027. Submit a single RPF reflective statement of up to 500 words. Use this guide to keep the Physics Extended Essay disciplined around a specific physical phenomenon, accurate terminology, analytical depth, and a presentation that supports the argument rather than distracting from it.

Assessment criteria

What each criterion measures, how many marks it carries, and what stronger evidence usually looks like.

Criterion names, marks and mark bands follow the IB subject guide. The band descriptions are our own summaries, so check your subject guide for the exact wording.

Criterion A: Framework for the essay (6 marks)

Use a clear question, suitable research methods and an effective essay structure.

Stronger evidence
A precise, relevant question is supported by well-chosen methods and a structure that makes the research easy to follow.
Early-stage evidence
The question lacks focus or relevance, the methods fit poorly, and the structure does little to help the reader.

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding (6 marks)

Show subject knowledge through relevant sources, concepts and accurate terminology.

Stronger evidence
A well-chosen body of sources supports strong knowledge, with accurate terminology and effective use of relevant concepts.
Early-stage evidence
The chosen material is weakly relevant, concepts receive shallow treatment, and terminology is sparse or inaccurate.

Criterion C: Analysis and line of argument (6 marks)

Analyse the research and connect the question, findings and conclusions.

Stronger evidence
Effective analysis produces relevant findings, and a sustained argument connects these findings to the question and conclusions.
Early-stage evidence
The essay mainly describes its material and the argument is incomplete.

Criterion D: Discussion and evaluation (8 marks)

Weigh the findings and assess the strengths and limits of the research.

Stronger evidence
A balanced discussion is supported throughout. Relevant strengths and limits are explained when judging the research.
Early-stage evidence
The importance of the findings is described without supporting evidence. Evaluation is incomplete and does not identify strengths or limits.

Criterion E: Reflection (4 marks)

Evaluate what the essay taught you and how that learning transfers to other situations.

Stronger evidence
The reflection evaluates the experience throughout, using examples that consistently show growth and transfer.
Early-stage evidence
The reflection recounts the process without showing how learning could transfer.

Mark bands

Want to know where your EE sits in these bands? Upload your draft and get a mark for each criterion.

Grade my EE

How to build it

Most weak drafts fail on order, not on ideas.

  1. 1

    Choose a tight physics question

    Focus on one relationship, model, or effect that you can investigate with enough depth to sustain an essay.

  2. 2

    Keep the physics exact

    Use correct terminology, definitions, and theory so the essay reads like serious physics writing.

  3. 3

    Build a reasoned argument

    Connect evidence, calculations, and interpretation into a coherent answer instead of a sequence of isolated facts.

  4. 4

    Finish with clean presentation

    Make the structure, citations, and overall layout clear enough that the examiner can focus on the physics itself.

Before you submit

  • Research question is specific and appropriate for physics.
  • Theory and terminology are accurate throughout.
  • Analysis supports a clear line of argument.
  • The final draft is polished, structured, and easy to follow.

Quick wins

  • Write a one-paragraph physics explanation of your answer before expanding to full length.
  • Use one worked example to show your calculation logic clearly.
  • Check that every claim is supported by either data, theory, or both.

Get Rubric Feedback On Your Physics EE

Upload your Physics Extended Essay draft to Marksy and get criterion-level feedback on focus, knowledge, critical thinking, and presentation. The result includes a mark for every criterion, evidence from your draft, and the changes to make first.

Grade My Physics EESee Pricing
  1. 1

    Upload your EE draft as a PDF

  2. 2

    Get a mark and feedback for every EE criterion

  3. 3

    Revise and grade the new version

A mark for every criterion
A mark for every criterionSee where the draft is now, criterion by criterion.
Comments on your sentences
Comments on your sentencesEach comment points at the passage it is about.
What to fix first
What to fix firstConcrete next edits instead of "improve your analysis".