The New IBDP Extended Essay: Changes and Improvements Coming in 2027

The new 2027 Extended Essay framework emphasizes digital research skills, critical thinking, and multimodal presentation.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) has announced significant changes to the Extended Essay (EE) component, set to be implemented in 2027. As a cornerstone of the IB experience, the Extended Essay has long served as a preparation for university-level research and writing. According to the International Baccalaureate Organization's Extended Essay Guide, these changes aim to modernize the assessment while maintaining academic rigor. This article provides a detailed overview of the upcoming changes, based on authoritative sources from the IB organization.

Background and Evolution of the Extended Essay

The Extended Essay has been a fundamental component of the IB Diploma Programme since its inception. As an independent, self-directed piece of research culminating in a 4,000-word paper, it has provided students with practical preparation for undergraduate research tasks. The upcoming changes aim to modernize the EE, making it more relevant to contemporary academic practices while maintaining its academic rigor. Research by Booth et al. (2016) emphasizes that effective research skills are essential for university success, making these changes particularly valuable for students preparing for higher education.

Key Changes to the Extended Essay Structure

Starting with first assessments in 2027, the Extended Essay will undergo the following structural modifications:

• Digital-first approach: The new EE will shift to a primarily digital format, allowing for the integration of multimedia elements to support research findings. This aligns with contemporary academic practices in higher education.
• Word count flexibility: While maintaining the 4,000-word core, students will have additional allowances for digital appendices, annotations, and reflections. This provides more flexibility in presenting complex research.
• Enhanced research methodology section: Greater emphasis will be placed on the research process, requiring more detailed documentation of methodological approaches. This prepares students for university-level research expectations.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: The new framework expands options for cross-disciplinary research, encouraging students to draw connections between subject areas. This reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of academic research.

According to the IB's Extended Essay Guide, these changes reflect the evolving nature of academic research in the digital age, preparing students for the research methodologies they will encounter in higher education.

Revised Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for the Extended Essay will be restructured to better reflect the research process and academic communication skills. According to Biggs & Tang (2011), assessment criteria should align with learning objectives and provide clear guidance for students. The new framework includes:

• Research question and methodology (25%): Expanded to include the research design and methodological considerations. This emphasizes the importance of rigorous research planning.
• Knowledge and understanding (25%): Assessment of subject-specific content knowledge and its application. Students must demonstrate deep understanding of their chosen subject area.
• Critical thinking (25%): Evaluation of analysis, discussion, and critical engagement with sources. This criterion emphasizes the development of analytical skills essential for university-level work.
• Communication and presentation (15%): Including digital presentation elements and structural coherence. The digital format allows for more creative and effective communication of research findings.
• Engagement and reflection (10%): Documentation of the research journey and reflective practice. This supports the IB's emphasis on metacognition and self-awareness.

The revised criteria move away from the previous A-E grading system to a more nuanced percentage-based assessment, allowing for more detailed feedback on specific components of the research process. This provides clearer guidance for students and supervisors.

Digital Format and Multimodal Elements

One of the most significant innovations in the 2027 Extended Essay framework is the accommodation of digital formats. This change reflects the digital transformation of academic research and publication:

• Interactive bibliographies with digital annotations, allowing for more dynamic citation and source analysis
• Integration of data visualization tools for quantitative research, helping students present complex data effectively
• Embedded multimedia elements where relevant to the research question, supporting multimodal communication
• Digital research journals to document the research process, providing transparency and supporting reflection

The digital format allows students to demonstrate research skills in ways that better align with contemporary academic practices, while still maintaining the rigor expected of the Extended Essay. This is particularly valuable for students preparing for university-level research in digital humanities, data science, and other technology-enhanced fields.

Enhanced Research Support Framework

The 2027 Extended Essay will introduce a revised support structure for students, addressing common challenges identified in Extended Essay supervision:

• Research methods training: Dedicated sessions on research methodologies appropriate to different subject areas, helping students develop essential research skills
• Digital literacy components: Support for using digital tools in the research process, ensuring students can effectively utilize technology for research
• Structured reflection points: Three formal reflection sessions with supervisors, documented in a research reflection space. This supports the IB's emphasis on reflective learning
• Ethical research guidelines: Expanded framework for ensuring ethical research practices, particularly important for primary research. The IB's Academic Honesty guidelines provide clear guidance on ethical research conduct

The IB has announced that updated supervisor guidelines will be released in 2025, providing schools with time to prepare for implementation. This transition period allows for professional development and resource preparation.

Subject-Specific Considerations

Different subject areas will see specific adaptations to their Extended Essay requirements, reflecting the unique nature of research in each discipline:

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

Greater emphasis on critical theory approaches and broader text types for analysis, including digital media texts. This reflects the evolving nature of literary and linguistic analysis in the digital age.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

Expanded opportunities for linguistic analysis including digital communication and intercultural aspects of language use. This supports the IB's emphasis on intercultural understanding and authentic language use.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

Enhanced focus on research methodologies specific to social sciences, including data collection and analysis techniques. This prepares students for university-level social science research.

Groups 4 and 5: Sciences and Mathematics

Integration of computational methods and digital visualization of experimental results. This reflects the increasing role of technology in scientific research and data analysis.

Group 6: The Arts

Opportunities for multimodal presentation of artistic research, including digital portfolios and creative processes. This allows students to demonstrate artistic research in more authentic and engaging ways.

Implementation Timeline

The IB has outlined the following timeline for implementation:

• 2025-2026: Announcement of changes and initial guidance materials, allowing schools to begin preparation
• 2025: Detailed subject guides and supervisor training materials released, providing comprehensive guidance for implementation
• 2025-2026: School preparation and teacher training period, ensuring educators are ready to support students
• 2026: Students begin the new Extended Essay process, with first cohorts working under the new framework
• 2027: First assessment of the revised Extended Essay, marking the full implementation of the new format

Schools are advised to begin preparation for these changes well in advance of implementation, with the IB offering transition workshops and materials starting in 2025. Early preparation ensures smooth implementation and student success.

Implications for Students and Educators

For students, the revised Extended Essay offers several benefits:

• Better alignment with university-level research expectations, preparing students for success in higher education
• Opportunities to develop digital research and presentation skills essential for contemporary academic work
• More structured support throughout the research process, reducing anxiety and improving outcomes
• Greater flexibility in expressing complex research findings through multimodal presentation

For educators, the changes require:

• Professional development in digital research methodologies, ensuring supervisors can effectively guide students
• Familiarity with revised assessment criteria, allowing for accurate and helpful feedback
• Adaptation of supervisory approaches to support the new format, maintaining the balance between guidance and independence
• Collaboration across subject areas for interdisciplinary research support, reflecting the expanded opportunities for cross-disciplinary work

Conclusion: Preparing for the New Extended Essay

The 2027 Extended Essay changes represent a significant evolution in how the IB approaches independent research at the secondary education level. By emphasizing digital literacy, interdisciplinary connections, and contemporary research methodologies, the revised Extended Essay better prepares students for the demands of higher education and professional research contexts.

Schools, educators, and students should begin familiarizing themselves with these upcoming changes, with particular attention to the digital aspects of research and presentation. The transition period provides an opportunity to develop new approaches to research support and supervision that will benefit students under the new framework.

At Bespoke Learning, our experienced IB educators are already preparing for these changes, developing updated resources and support frameworks to ensure our students are well-positioned to excel under the new Extended Essay requirements. Our Extended Essay coaching program incorporates digital research skills, critical thinking development, and structured timeline management to support student success.