How to Submit a Perfect Extended Essay: The Ultimate EE Guide for 2025

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the Extended Essay? This ee guide will transform your approach to one of the most challenging components of the IB Diploma Program. The Extended Essay often creates anxiety for students, with its 4,000-word requirement and rigorous academic standards. However, with proper planning and the right strategies, you can actually excel in this crucial assessment.

I’ve helped hundreds of students navigate their EE journey successfully, and I’m excited to share everything you need to know for 2025. From understanding the essential requirements to structuring your arguments effectively, this guide covers all aspects of creating an excellent Extended Essay. Additionally, I’ll walk you through the reflection process, citation rules, and final submission steps that many students find confusing.

By following the advice in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to submit a polished, well-researched Extended Essay that meets all IB criteria. Let’s get started on your path to EE success!

Understand the IB Extended Essay Requirements

The success of your Extended Essay begins with understanding the exact IB requirements. Meeting these technical specifications is not just about following rules—it’s about ensuring your hard work gets the evaluation it deserves.

Word Count Limit: 4,000 Words Excluding References

The IB strictly enforces a 4,000-word maximum for all Extended Essays ^[1]. This limit includes your introduction, body, conclusion, and any quotations used throughout your essay. Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material exceeding this word count ^[2], which means content beyond 4,000 words will be completely ignored during evaluation.

Fortunately, several elements don’t count toward this limit:

• Contents page
• Maps, charts, diagrams, and tables
• Equations, formulas, and calculations
• Citations and references
• Bibliography
• Appendices

The word limit exists for a specific reason—it teaches you to prioritize information and communicate efficiently. I recommend aiming for approximately 300-400 words for your introduction, 2,400-2,800 words for the main body, and 200-300 words for your conclusion ^[3].

Font and Spacing: 12pt, Double-Spaced, 1-inch Margins

Your Extended Essay must follow specific formatting guidelines for on-screen marking:

• Use 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri font ^{[2] [4]}
• Double-space the entire document ^[5]
• Set margins to at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides ^[5]

These requirements aren’t arbitrary—they ensure readability for examiners and create a professional academic appearance that reflects the scholarly nature of your work.

Title Page Elements: Research Question, Subject, Word Count

The title page should contain only the following information:

• The title of your essay (a clear statement, not phrased as a question)
• Your research question (must end with a question mark)
• The subject area (including category for language essays)
• Total word count ^{[2] [1]}

Importantly, your name, school name, candidate number, supervisor name, or any other identifying information must not appear on the title page or any page headers ^[4]. This ensures anonymous assessment of your work.

Page Numbering and File Format Guidelines

Further technical requirements include:

• All pages must be numbered (typically in the top right corner) ^[4]
• A contents page must appear at the beginning ^[6]
• Submit your essay as a .doc or PDF file ^[7]
• File size must not exceed 10 MB ^{[2] [7]}

Remember that the RPPF (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form) is uploaded separately and isn’t included in this file size limit.

Proper formatting isn’t just about appearances—it demonstrates your attention to detail and respect for academic conventions. Throughout this ee guide, I’ll show you exactly how meeting these requirements contributes to creating an impressive final product that stands out to examiners.

Plan and Structure Your Essay Effectively

Proper planning forms the backbone of a successful Extended Essay. With thoughtful structure and organization, you’ll not only make the writing process smoother but also produce a more coherent and persuasive academic paper.

Define a Focused and Analytical Research Question

Your research question serves as the foundation of your entire EE. Unlike a general topic, a well-crafted research question is specific, sharply focused, and capable of being thoroughly explored within the 4,000-word limit. Avoid questions that are too broad, vague, or merely descriptive—instead, aim for questions that invite analysis and reasoned argument.

When formulating your question:

• Ensure it’s clear and focused on a specific issue, case study, or hypothesis
• Make it non-trivial and connected to existing literature in your field
• Use question starters that naturally embed analytical thinking (such as “To what extent…” or “How significant…”)
• Apply limiters like time period, location, or methodology to narrow your scope

Remember to distinguish between your topic (the general subject area), title (a descriptive statement), and research question (the specific inquiry you’ll answer). Your supervisor can provide valuable feedback as you refine your question—which may evolve throughout your research process.

Use a Research Journal to Track Sources and Ideas

Keeping a research journal is invaluable for organizing your thoughts and sources. This becomes especially important considering the breadth of reading required for a quality EE. Create a document or spreadsheet where you:

• Record all potential sources with bibliographic information
• Note important quotes and key ideas
• Track connections between different sources
• Document your evolving thoughts about your research question

Furthermore, evaluate the academic credibility of each source. Secondary research should primarily come from academic journal articles, books from reputable publishers, and other scholarly materials rather than blogs, Wikipedia, or social media.

Organize Body Sections Around Key Arguments

Structure your essay as a reasoned argument that flows logically. Each section should focus on a different aspect of your research question while contributing to your overall thesis. While specific requirements vary by subject area, generally:

• Present a clear methodology explaining how you collected and analyzed data
• Use evidence from your research to support each argument
• Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating the strength of different perspectives
• Consider using sub-headings to guide readers through your reasoning

Importantly, any information essential to your argument must appear in the main body—not in appendices or footnotes, as examiners may not read these sections.

Include a Clear Introduction and Summative Conclusion

Although your introduction appears first, write it last after completing your research. A strong introduction includes:

• Context that situates your question within existing knowledge
• Your research question (often highlighted in bold)
• An outline of your argument and methodology
• Explanation of why your question is worthy of investigation

Conversely, your conclusion must directly answer your research question. Rather than simply restating points, synthesize your findings into a cohesive answer. Additionally, acknowledge any limitations in your research and suggest potential areas for further investigation.

This strategic approach to planning and structuring your EE will significantly improve both your research experience and final product—making this ee guide an essential resource for your academic journey.

Follow Proper Citation and Academic Integrity Rules

Academic integrity sits at the core of the Extended Essay experience. The IB views proper citation not just as a technical requirement, but as a fundamental principle that demonstrates ethical academic behavior. To earn maximum points on your EE, you must acknowledge all sources appropriately throughout your work.

Choose a Consistent Citation Style (APA, MLA, Chicago)

The IB does not mandate a specific citation style for the Extended Essay. Nevertheless, you must select one recognized style and apply it consistently throughout your work ^[8]. Common options include:

• MLA (Modern Language Association) – often preferred for humanities
• APA (American Psychological Association) – typically used for social sciences
• Chicago/Turabian – frequently chosen for history
• Harvard – used across various disciplines

Whichever style you choose, consistency is crucial. I recommend consulting with your supervisor about which style best suits your subject area. For instance, at some schools, psychology EEs typically use APA while other subjects use MLA ^[9].

Use Citation Tools like EndNote or Zotero

Managing citations manually can become overwhelming as your research expands. Fortunately, several citation tools can streamline this process:

• Zotero – free software that collects, organizes, and formats citations
• EndNote – allows you to create in-text citations and bibliographies
• EasyBib – web-based tool for generating citations
• Word/Google Docs – built-in citation features in popular word processors

These tools help maintain accuracy and save valuable time ^[10]. Still, always double-check each citation as automated tools sometimes make errors in publication dates or volume numbers.

Run a Plagiarism Check Using Turnitin or Similar Tools

The IB uses Turnitin to verify the originality of Extended Essays ^[11]. This plagiarism detection software compares your work against thousands of other papers in its database. After checking, your essay remains in this database, making it impossible for others to submit the same work without detection.

I strongly recommend checking your essay through Turnitin before final submission. This practice:

• Helps identify unintentional plagiarism
• Ensures your work meets academic integrity standards
• Provides peace of mind before official submission

Include a Properly Formatted Bibliography

Your bibliography (also called “Works Cited” or “References”) must follow these essential requirements:

First, the IB’s minimum bibliography requirements include author name, publication date, source title, page numbers for print sources, access date for electronic sources, and URL for online materials ^[12]. Additionally, your bibliography should:

• Be alphabetically ordered by author’s last name or title if no author exists
• Include only sources actually cited within your essay
• Maintain consistent formatting according to your chosen citation style
• Feature proper reverse indentation (hanging indent)

Remember that the first element examiners often inspect is your bibliography page ^[9]. A bibliography containing only websites might immediately place your work at a lower grade level, so aim to include a variety of academic sources, particularly peer-reviewed articles and books.

In this ee guide, I’ve outlined the fundamental citation principles, but the most important aspect remains honoring the principle stated by the IB: “Academic integrity is a guiding principle in education and a choice to act in a responsible way whereby others can have trust in us as individuals” ^[13].

Complete the Required Reflection and Viva Voce

Reflection represents a crucial component of the Extended Essay process, accounting for approximately 18% of your total grade. The IB values not just your final product, but how you develop as a researcher throughout your journey.

Schedule and Document 3 Reflection Sessions

The Extended Essay requires three mandatory reflection sessions with your supervisor. These structured meetings happen at critical junctures:

• Initial Reflection: Early in the process, discuss your preliminary research question, outline possible approaches, and identify potential challenges
• Interim Reflection: Midway through, evaluate your progress, refine your question, address obstacles, and adjust your research strategy as needed
• Final Reflection/Viva Voce: After completing your essay, reflect on your entire academic journey

Each session provides an opportunity to demonstrate your intellectual growth and engagement with the research process. Starting in 2025, reflection will focus more explicitly on how you develop research skills, tackle challenges, and adapt your approach throughout the EE process.

Write the RPPF (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form)

After each reflection session, you must document your thoughts on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF). This form has a strict 500-word limit for all three reflections combined, making concise writing essential. In your reflections, move beyond simply describing what happened—your goal is to demonstrate:

• How you’ve grown intellectually and personally
• Your active engagement in the learning process
• Skills you’ve developed (critical thinking, time management, research methods)
• How you’ve overcome challenges

The best reflections are evaluative rather than merely descriptive. A blank or missing RPPF will score zero marks under Criterion E, severely impacting your overall grade.

Prepare for the Final Viva Voce Interview

The viva voce is a 20-30 minute concluding interview that takes place after submitting your final essay. This conversation serves multiple purposes:

Firstly, it confirms the authenticity of your work. Secondly, it allows you to reflect on challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Finally, it demonstrates your personal connection to the research.

Prepare by considering questions about your research process, greatest challenges, skills developed, and what you might do differently next time. This final reflection gives you an opportunity to showcase the personal significance of your EE journey beyond the academic content of your paper.

Final Submission Checklist Before Uploading

The final hours before submission are crucial for polishing your Extended Essay to perfection. This checklist ensures no technical issues prevent your hard work from receiving the evaluation it deserves.

Proofread for Grammar and Spelling Errors

Proofreading constitutes more than merely running a spell checker. To catch errors effectively:

• Read your essay aloud to identify awkward phrasing and grammatical mistakes
• Ask a friend to review your work for errors you might have missed
• Take a break between writing and proofreading to gain a fresh perspective
• Check specifically for consistent tense, proper punctuation, and sentence structure

Remember that proofreading isn’t just about grammar—it’s about ensuring your arguments flow logically and your writing communicates clearly ^[14].

Label All Figures and Tables Correctly

Visual elements require proper formatting to be effective. Each figure or table must:

• Include a numbered caption (tables above, figures below the element)
• Provide a clear descriptive title explaining the content
• Label all units, axes, legends, and parts clearly
• Reference the source if not created by you

Tables and figures should enhance understanding, not merely decorate your essay or attempt to circumvent the word count ^[1]. In your ee guide implementation, any visuals must directly relate to your discussion.

Ensure File is Saved as PDF and Under 10MB

Technical specifications for your final submission include:

• Saving as PDF format (preferred over .doc for consistent formatting)
• Keeping file size under 10MB
• Using readable 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman recommended)
• Maintaining double spacing throughout
• Including page numbers on every page ^[7]

The RPPF is uploaded separately and doesn’t count toward this file size limit.

Submit Before the IB Deadline via ManageBac

Most schools use ManageBac for EE submission. Prior to uploading:

• Complete all to-do items confirming readiness
• Select “Choose File” to upload from your device (or from Google Drive if enabled)
• Confirm the upload by clicking “Upload Files”
• Post any final messages to your supervisor ^[15]

Subsequently, if Turnitin is enabled, you’ll receive a similarity index report. Upload once only—multiple submissions aren’t necessary ^[16]. After the deadline passes, submissions become locked and cannot be deleted or modified.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts on Creating Your Perfect Extended Essay

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked through every critical aspect of creating an outstanding Extended Essay. The journey from selecting a focused research question to final submission involves numerous important steps that require careful attention.

Remember that technical requirements — word count limits, formatting guidelines, and citation rules — exist not merely as hurdles but as frameworks that help you produce clear, academic work. Likewise, proper planning and structure serve as the backbone of a successful EE, allowing your arguments and evidence to shine through effectively.

Academic integrity stands as the cornerstone of scholarly work. Therefore, choosing a consistent citation style and properly acknowledging all sources protects both your reputation and the validity of your research. Additionally, the reflection component offers a valuable opportunity to demonstrate your growth as a researcher beyond just the finished paper.

Before submitting your work, double-check everything against our final submission checklist. Last-minute errors can undermine weeks or months of dedicated effort. Secure a last-minute quality check with IB ++tutors EE experts if you want complete peace of mind about your submission.

Above all, approach your Extended Essay as an opportunity rather than a burden. This project allows you to explore a topic that genuinely interests you while developing research skills that will prove valuable throughout your academic career. Although the process might seem challenging at times, following this guide will undoubtedly help you create an EE that meets all IB requirements and showcases your best academic abilities.

FAQs

Q1. What is the word limit for the Extended Essay?
The Extended Essay has a strict word limit of 4,000 words, excluding references, bibliography, and appendices. This limit includes the introduction, body, conclusion, and any quotations used throughout the essay.

Q2. How should I structure my Extended Essay?
A well-structured Extended Essay typically includes a clear introduction with a focused research question, body sections organized around key arguments, and a summative conclusion. It’s recommended to use a research journal to track sources and ideas, and to include proper citations throughout.

Q3. What citation style should I use for my Extended Essay?
The IB does not mandate a specific citation style, but you must choose one recognized style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) and apply it consistently throughout your work. Consult with your supervisor to determine the most appropriate style for your subject area.

Q4. How important are the reflection sessions in the Extended Essay process?
Reflection sessions are crucial, accounting for approximately 18% of your total grade. You must complete three mandatory reflection sessions with your supervisor and document your thoughts on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF), which has a 500-word limit.

Q5. What should I check before submitting my Extended Essay?
Before submission, ensure your essay is proofread for grammar and spelling errors, all figures and tables are correctly labeled, the file is saved as a PDF under 10MB, and it meets all formatting requirements (12-point font, double-spaced, page numbers). Submit via ManageBac before the IB deadline.

References

[1] – https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_tables_and_figures.html
[2] – https://aisgz.libguides.com/extendedessay/presentation
[3] – https://buytokessay.com/blog/what-is-word-count-for-extended-essay/
[4] – https://concordian-thailand.libguides.com/c.php?g=530178&p=3626648
[5] – https://qeducation.sg/ib-general/ib-extended-essay-ee-checklists-and-notes-for-final-submission-2025-update/
[6] – https://www.unis.org/uploaded/02_ACADEMICS/2014-15/Files_PDFs_(Academics)/IB_General_Files/Extended_Essay_Guide_abrev.pdf
[7] – https://sites.google.com/a/ccsbali.com/ccs-extended-essay/submitting-your-ee
[8] – https://citationsy.com/blog/referencing-style-ib-international-baccalaureate/
[9] – https://cis.libguides.com/extendedessay/Citing
[10] – https://www.clastify.com/blog/extended-essay-bibliography-guide
[11] – https://writingmetier.com/article/how-does-ib-organization-check-papers-for-plagiarism-and-ai-detection/
[12] – https://hvitfeldtskasbibliotek.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/referencing-ee-guide.pdf
[13] – https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/programs/shared-resources/pdfs/academic-integrity-policy-en.pdf
[14] – https://baltimorecitycollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=586567&p=4052097
[15] – https://help.managebac.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018799452-Viewing-Uploading-to-Extended-Essay-EE-Deadlines
[16] – http://library.sirwilfridlaurierci.ca/submitting-the-paper-to-managebac/