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IB TOK Essay Rubric. Grading Criteria

As someone deeply immersed in the IB curriculum, I’ve encountered difficulty writing Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essays more times than I can count. Today, I’m here to tell you about the IB TOK essay rubric and grading criteria, offering insights I’ve gathered over the years. Trust me, understanding these elements can transform your TOK essay from good to exceptional.

What Is IB Theory of Knowledge Essay?

The International Baccalaureate TOK essay is a critical element of the IB Diploma Programme that pushes students to ponder the nature and acquisition of knowledge. This task requires students to examine and articulate their understanding of how we come to know what we claim to know, engaging them in a deep reflection on knowledge itself, its sources, and its application in various contexts.

This essay is a philosophical research that encourages critical thinking and analysis across different areas of knowledge, including ethics, science, mathematics, and the arts. At the heart of the IB TOK essay are several key components that students must know:

  • The essay prompts students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we come to know what we claim to know. It is an exercise in critical thinking and philosophy, where students examine the bases of knowledge and how it intersects with the world around them.
  • Students choose from a list of prescribed titles the IB organization releases annually. These titles prompt discussions on various topics in knowledge, ethics, science, mathematics, human sciences, and more.
  • There is a maximum TOK essay word count of 1,600 words. This strict limit requires students to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely.
  • The essay is assessed using criteria that evaluate students’ ability to identify and research knowledge issues, contrast TOK key concepts , demonstrate critical thinking, and organize their ideas coherently.
  • Students are encouraged to start early, select a topic that interests them, and engage in extensive research and critical thinking. Collaboration with TOK teachers for guidance and feedback throughout the writing process is also crucial.
  • Through the TOK essay, students develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, synthesis of information from various disciplines, and the ability to argue coherently and persuasively.

The TOK essay and the TOK exhibition contribute up to three points towards the total score of the IB Diploma. The performance in TOK is combined with the Extended Essay (EE) to determine the number of additional points awarded.

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  • IB TOK Essay Structure in Detail
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  • 12 TOK Key Concepts with Examples
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  • The Natural Sciences AOK and Its Significance in TOK

IB Theory of Knowledge Essay Rubric

As an IB writer and mentor, I’ve seen these guidelines as a checklist and a map for writing insightful, coherent works in the IB Theory of Knowledge . My goal here is to explain these criteria.

IB TOK Essay Rubric and Grading criteria

Addressing the Knowledge Question (0-2 points)

A central component of the TOK essay is its focus on a knowledge question directly related to the chosen title. This question must be explicitly identified early in the essay as a foundation for your analysis and arguments. The clarity with which you state this question and the extent to which it informs the development of your essay is crucial for scoring in this category.

Grasping Knowledge Issues (0-2 points)

Your essay must profoundly comprehend the knowledge issues connected to your central knowledge question. It includes recognizing the diverse methods through which knowledge is obtained and acknowledging the potential limitations and biases influencing our perception of the world. A high score in this area reflects your ability to dig into these complexities and present them thoughtfully within your essay.

Critical Analysis and Evaluation (0-2 points)

A critical dissection and assessment of the knowledge question are imperative in your TOK essay. It involves using relevant examples and evidence to bolster your arguments alongside a meticulous examination of the various approaches to knowledge, highlighting their strengths and pitfalls. Additionally, it includes appraising the comparative worth of these different approaches and showcasing your ability to engage with the question at hand critically.

Incorporating AOKs and WOKs (0-2 points)

our essay must showcase an adept understanding of the multifaceted nature in which knowledge is acquired, highlighting the roles of empirical evidence, logical deduction, and personal experiences. Equally important is demonstrating a thorough grasp of the various Ways of Knowing (WOKs) — including reason, emotion, perception, and language — and articulating how these intersect and interact with the central knowledge question. A high score in this criterion indicates a comprehensive integration and consideration of AOKs and WOKs in your analysis.

Demonstrating Personal Engagement (0-2 points)

Your TOK essay should vividly reflect your connection and engagement with the knowledge question. It should show your awareness of how the arguments presented resonate with your experiences and perceptions and their broader implications for the world you inhabit. Achieving high marks in this area means successfully conveying how researching the knowledge question has influenced your understanding and perspective, integrating personal insight with academic analysis.

Coherence and Structure (0-2 points)

A well-written TOK essay is characterized by its organization and clarity, featuring a distinct introduction, body, and conclusion. The arrangement should be logical and enhance the essay’s central argument, ensuring a seamless flow of ideas from start to finish. High scores in this domain are awarded to essays demonstrating meticulous planning and an ability to guide the reader.

Clarity in Presentation (0-2 points)

Your TOK essay should be articulated clearly, concisely, and well-structured, paying close attention to the accuracy of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It is also essential to adhere to the proper referencing and citation style throughout the document. Essays that score well in this category prioritize readability and scholarly integrity, making it easy for the reader to follow and appreciate the depth of the analysis. So, follow the IB TOK essay structure in detail.

Innovative Approach and Creativity (0-2 points)

Your TOK essay should exhibit originality and inventiveness in addressing the knowledge question and selecting examples and evidence to bolster your arguments. High-scoring essays in this category are characterized by their creative insights and the ability to think outside the box, demonstrating a proactive approach to elucidating the knowledge question.

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Ib tok essay grading criteria explained.

The grading criteria for the TOK essay follow a holistic approach, considering all aspects of the rubric. Essays are marked on a scale, with each level reflecting a range of performance in the criteria mentioned above. Here are some insights:

  • Excellent Performance . Essays in this category exhibit a deep understanding of knowledge issues, sophisticated analysis, and clear, coherent organization. They effectively incorporate multiple perspectives and are enriched with well-integrated examples.
  • Good Performance . These essays demonstrate a good understanding and analysis of knowledge issues, though they may lack the depth or coherence of the top-tier essays. The organization is solid, and examples are used effectively, though perhaps with less sophistication.
  • Satisfactory Performance . Here, essays adequately understand the knowledge issues but may struggle with in-depth analysis or coherent organization. Using examples and considering different perspectives is present but not fully developed.
  • Basic Performance . Essays in this range have a basic grasp of the knowledge issues but significant weaknesses in analysis, organization, and examples. They may overlook essential perspectives or implications.

From my experience, the key to excelling under these grading criteria lies in understanding what each criterion asks for and integrating these elements into a cohesive, compelling narrative. Crafting your essay with an awareness of these grading nuances can elevate your work from satisfactory to exceptional.

Passing Grade for the Theory of Knowledge Essay

The TOK essay and the TOK presentation form part of the core of the IB Diploma Programme, and students must pass both components to receive their diploma. The TOK essay and presentation are graded on a letter scale of A (excellent) to E (elementary), with D considered a passing grade. However, it’s important to remember that the final TOK grade is combined with the Extended Essay grade, which can significantly impact your overall diploma points.

You generally need to avoid receiving an E grade to pass the TOK component. The combined points for TOK and the EE can contribute up to 3 bonus points towards your diploma, depending on their combined quality. Scores are determined by a matrix that the IB updates periodically, so aiming for the highest possible grades in TOK and EE is crucial to maximizing your diploma points.

Remember, the specific criteria for passing can vary slightly with changes to the IB curriculum and assessment guides, so it’s always a good idea to consult the latest materials or speak with your TOK teacher for the most current information.

In summary, passing the TOK essay requires a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge issues, a critical and reflective approach to the essay question, and a commitment to articulate your thoughts clearly and coherently.

So, mastering the IB TOK essay rubric and grading criteria is a worthwhile path. It’s not just about securing high marks; it’s about developing a nuanced understanding of knowledge. As you prepare to tackle your TOK essay, carry with you the insights and strategies shared.

So, start early, seek feedback, and let your understanding of the rubric infuse every paragraph of your essay. With the right approach, the TOK essay expands your horizons of learning. Good luck, and remember, our experts are always by your side and can  help you with the TOK essay .

Valerie Green

Valerie Green

Valerie Green is a dedicated educator who spends her time helping high school and college students succeed. She writes articles and guides for various online education projects, providing students with the tools they need to excel in their studies. Friendly and approachable, she is committed to making a difference in the lives of students.

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tok essay grade boundaries

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Guide to the TOK Presentation

What’s covered:, what is the theory of knowledge (tok) presentation, how is the tok presentation scored, how to pick a tok presentation topic, how to structure your tok presentation.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB/IBDP) is a high school program offering courses in subjects, ranging from mathematics to Arabic. Students sign up for a holistic approach to learning including external examinations, internal assessments, research papers and community service hours. Students will have to do a bit of everything while completing IB’s core, including CAS, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the extended essay (EE). Understanding how to excel in TOK will usually help students in their other aspects of student life. It’ll be important to be familiar with the basics of TOK as a subject before progressing into one of its components, the presentation. 

Quite similar to the TOK essay , the TOK presentation is an attempt to assess your critical thinking skills while conveying your opinions in a clear cut manner. While a TOK essay is more conceptual in its nature in tackling the focal point, the TOK presentation answers a knowledge question by making use of actual real life scenarios to display your understanding of TOK concepts .

The TOK presentation can be done individually, in pairs, or in a group of three. It’s usually delivered in front of your TOK classroom, making this an internal assessment that other students are watching and taking peer review notes on. Each presentation gets a max of 10 minutes per presenter, meaning if you have three people, you get 30 minutes. The actual presentation is followed by a discussion section where the presenter actively engages in a Q&A with the audience and the teacher.

A lot of students really struggle with where to start the presentation, but if you break it down by following a few steps it gets a lot more manageable:

1. Knowledge Question (KQ)

The knowledge question is the focus of your presentation. Upon being given a list of topics for the TOK presentation, keep in mind that the list of selections changes every examination set. So, once you pick a topic, you could create a KQ that analyzes this topic to a greater degree. An example of a knowledge question could be: “What is the role of faith in making ethical decisions.” This is a good knowledge question because it incorporates ways of knowing (WOKs) which are important to analyze in any TOK presentation.

2. Real Life Situation (RLS)

A RLS is supposed to be an example or situation that you can directly use as an expression of your KQ. Relating your RLS to numerous WOKs and areas of knowledge (AOKs) strengthens the arguments you make (the claims and counterclaims for your presentation) and earns you a chunk of your grade for the presentation. 

3. Planning out your presentation 

Creating an outline that details each slide, and even writing down how many minutes you spend on each section of your presentation is important, allowing you to allocate time and manage your presentation efficiently. Creating this outline can also help you feel more confident when your presentation day comes around too!

These three tips can serve as the founding basis for your presentation and will definitely help get you started on the right track!

The grade you get in IB includes the core (CAS, extended essay and TOK). And, 33% of your total IB TOK grade is dependent on your TOK presentation, which is usually graded externally, but recorded internally. What this means is, your actual presentation will be recorded by your teacher, and the recording with your slides will be sent to the IB board, who then assigns an external grader to assess it. The presentation is scored out of ten points, as well as the essay, and the following formula explains the grading schema:

(presentation score) + (essay score * 2) = overall score out of 30

To correlate a letter grade to your score out of 30, IB uses grade boundaries. These boundaries can change any year so checking in with your school for the most updated ones is best. Here is a past example of grade boundaries:

Upon receiving a letter grade you can calculate your grade for the core of IB, which includes the extended essay, CAS, and TOK. Passing the core is essential to earning your diploma in IB and the table below outlines this further: 

 

 

Excellent (A)

Good (B)

Satisfactory (C)

Mediocre 

(D)

Elementary (E)

Not Submitted

Excellent (A)

3

3

2

2

1 + Failing Condition

N

Good (B)

3

2

1

1

Failing Condition

N

Satisfactory (C)

2

1

1

0

Failing Condition

N

Mediocre (D)

2

1

0

0

Failing Condition

N

Elementary (E)

1 + Failing Condition

Failing Condition

Failing Condition

Failing Condition

Failing Condition

N

Not Submitted

N

N

N

N

N

N

Your topic should be presented in the form of a knowledge question that isn’t easily answered with two-dimensional answers like “yes” and “no.” It should in its nature make both the presenter and the audience think deeper into multilevel ways of understanding knowledge as a concept. More often than not, a KQ will usually end up with people having more questions than ending up with a satisfying answer, and that’s exactly what IB wants from a presentation, a debatable and questioning idea. This is usually achieved with a KQ and RLS that work hand in hand, and successful students make sure to consistently link back to their solid topics throughout the presentation. An example of a good TOK presentation topic might look like this: To what extent does faith play a part in online shopping experiences?

In this case a related RLS could be:

Purchases of overpriced and highly coveted products with little to no inherent practical value.

Your topic should have an RLS that the audience can at least relate to, making it easier for them to stay on board for the duration of your presentation, but as well as stay engaged with what you’re talking about. Once you pick a great topic for the presentation, the rest of the planning and work actually falls in place a lot more steadily. 

Breaking the presentation down slide-by-slide is the best way to plan it out, and the following structure may help streamline the process of creating it from start to finish.

  • Slide 2 – RLS and Context In this slide you introduce your RLS and provide all the required context and information to explain what your RLS is to the audience. Make sure to start using jargon specific to TOK. Introducing your WOKs and AOKs is a good idea in this slide, and relating it to your RLS should be how you wrap it up.
  • Slide 3 – KQ and RLS Declare the KQ that you’ve decided upon and analyze the KQ by breaking it down into segments that can be further developed on. If the KQ contains or mentions a WOK or AOK, further contextualize that specific AOK or WOK for the audience. Explain any assumptions you’ve made on the basis of your KQ and RLS as well, before you continue to develop on them.

The most important tip for IB students when it comes to TOK is the most generic one: start as early as possible! IB is an ultra-holistic approach to schooling, so there’s a lot more than just TOK going on; students usually need to make time to study for internal and external assessments, CAS service hours, and even writing their extended essays. Starting TOK work as early as possible not only sets you up with more time to produce work of higher quality, but also allows you to allocate time for other tasks as well. 

Otherwise, you might find yourself feeling burnt out and unmotivated before actually submitting the essay, and maybe even prevent yourself from achieving that high score in IB that you wanted. So start early, and give yourself that easy extra advantage!

While your IB scores aren’t as important to college admissions as one might assume, showing proof that you’re taking rigorous classes and demonstrating hard work throughout your time as an IB student is more impactful. For better insight into how your chances of college admissions look, check out CollegeVine’s admissions calculator ! 

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tok essay grade boundaries

Theory Of Knowledge

Core subject assessments from 2022 to present, description, past syllabuses, grade calculator.

Theory Of Knowledge Essay

Weight: 67%

Theory Of Knowledge Exhibition

Weight: 33%

Historical Grade Boundaries

Theory Of Knowledge
Boundary* Markband
EDCBA
May 2019 04101622
November 2019 05111723
November 2020 05111723
May 2021 04101621
May 2022 04101622
November 2022 04101622
May 2023 04101622
November 2023 04101622
Core Points Matrix
     ABCDE
A3322Fail
B3221Fail
C2210Fail
D2100Fail
EFailFailFailFailFail

*Timezone 0 (Worldwide)

*Timezone 1 (North America, South America)

*Timezone 2 (Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania)

NOTE: N20, M21, N21, M22, N22 grade boundaries were artificially low due to COVID. There were also

NOTE: Beware of using outdated grade boundaries. Many subjects have since updated their syllabus.

Understanding the TOK essay rubric

TOK Home > Free TOK notes > TOK essay guidance > Understanding the TOK essay rubric

tok essay grade boundaries

After understanding the of the basics of the essay, your next step is to grasp how it is evaluated and marked, which is outlined in the ‘assessment instrument’. Your TOK teacher will give you a copy of this, or you can find it online in the 2022 TOK Guide.

The overall assessment objective of the TOK essay is to answer the prescribed essay title in a clear, coherent, and critical way. In order to do this, the assessment ‘instrument’ looks for five different skills.

STEP 1: Understand the TOK essay rubric

1. making links to tok.

The discussion within your TOK essay should be linked very effectively to the  areas of knowledge . Most, TOK essays expect you to discuss two AOKs, which will provide you with the context to explore and answer the prescribed title you’ve chosen.

2. Understanding perspectives

Your TOK essay should show a clear awareness of different points of view, and should offer an evaluation of them. This means considering how different perspective might approach the question in different ways.

3. Offering an effective argument

The arguments within your TOK essay are clear and coherent, and are supported by strong examples.

This means expressing your opinions clearly, and supporting them with original and meaningful real-life situations.

4. Keeping discussions relevant

Your essay’s discussions should offer a ‘sustained focus’ on the title. This means that you should be able to pick out any section of your essay, and be able to identify what question it is answering.

5. Considering implications

Your essay needs to not just present and evaluate arguments, it also needs to say why these arguments are significant, and what their implications are.

After you have grasped the rubric strands, you are ready to move on to choosing your prescribed title from the choice of six that are published in March or November – which we provide guidance on here .

Creating a TOK essay: our four-step guide

Click on the buttons below to take you to the four steps of creating a great TOK essay. Don’t forget that we have plenty of videos on this and other aspects of the course, and members of the site have access to a huge amount of other resources to help you master the course and assessment tasks.

tok essay grade boundaries

How to write a TOK essay: webinar

This 80-minute webinar video and presentation gives you a clear, engaging, step-by-step guide to the task, helping you to understand the assessment rubric, choose the right PT, and produce an essay that hits all the assessment targets.

The video is supported by a presentation, and a Q&A debrief answering some of the most common questions asked about writing a TOK essay. Purchase your ticket here .

More support for the TOK essay

Make sure that your TOK teacher has given you access to all the documents and online material that support the essay. These include the TOK Subject Guide, the TOK essay rubric, and exemplar TOK essays (found in ‘MyIB’, which is accessible to teachers).   Make sure you go through our other pages on writing the TOK essay. You’ll find help on understanding what the is looking for, that works for you, what each of the should focus on, how to an effective TOK essay, and how to fill in your .   If your school is a  member  of theoryofknowledge.net, we have designed a series of lessons on the essay, with two formative assessment tasks. These will familiarize you with the essay rubric, knowledge questions, real-life situations, how to deal with perspectives and implications, and structuring an essay. If you are signed into the site, you can access these lessons  here .   You can also find out our thoughts on the TOK essay (and the TOK exhibition) in several webinars that we have delivered. The main one is the TOK Assessment 2022 webinar, but we also consider this form of assessment in our free webinars on the 2022 course. You can see these webinars on  this page  of the site.

tok essay grade boundaries

Subscribe to the free TOK newsletter!

Subscribe to our free newsletter, and collect fantastic examples that will help you to understand the key ideas of TOK, support your essay and exhibition discussions, and help you to become an authentic critical thinker .

You’ll encounter some of the most important thinkers from the past and the present, go beyond the headlines of contemporary events and issues around the globe, and see how TOK concepts manifest in the real-world. Subscribe HERE !

IBlieve

Overview: What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?

Elena Alimin

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) can appear a very ambiguous subject to tackle, but with the right approach, it is an opportunity to engage in very interesting discussions. Along with EE and CAS, TOK forms part of the IB Diploma’s Core subjects. TOK aims to expand a student’s awareness on the interpretive nature of knowledge, in particular towards the formation of biases, hence prompting the reflection of knowledge itself. The main frameworks in TOK are the Areas of Knowledge (AOKs), and Ways of Knowing (WOKs), listed below:

tok essay grade boundaries

1. TOK Essay

The Essay revolves around one of 6 Prescribed Titles given by the IBO. It has a 1,600 word limit and is marked out of 10. All essays are marked by external examiners, and accounts for ⅔ of your final TOK grade. The Essay component also requires the completion of a TOK Planning and Progress Form (TKPPF). This is not marked, but it is used to log reflections from meetings with your supervisor.

I wrote an in-depth overview of the Essay here .

2. TOK Presentation

The Presentation is a presentation that follows a central knowledge question and a main real-life situation. It is typically done individually, or in groups of 2 or 3 students. Each individual presents for 10 minutes, so a group of 3’s presentation would be 30 minutes long. It is important to note that Presentations focus on answering the central KQ that you formulate. You will also have to complete the Planning and Progress Document (TKPPD), which will not be marked, but will be used as a guideline for your examiner to better understand the message you are conveying. The Presentation is marked out of 10, and accounts for 1/3 of your final grade.

I wrote an in-depth overview of the Presentation here .

3. How is T OK assessed?

For reference, the TOK assessment model has detailed mark schemes and grading criteria. Both the Essay and Presentation are marked out of 10, however the total score is out of 30. The Essay score will be doubled, added to the presentation score, and the total will result in an A, B, C, D, or E depending on the year’s grade boundaries. The essay will normally be given to IBO and marked by external examiners, whereas the presentation will be internally marked. Your school’s TKPPDs will be viewed by the IB, however, and the Presentation grades may be moderated based on that.

4. How will it impact my IB score?

The TOK and EE work in tandem using a matrix that results in either 3 points, 2 points, or 1 additional point to your IB score. The matrix (as of 2020) can be seen below:

tok essay grade boundaries

Best of luck! 🙂

Here is my overview of the TOK Essay.

Here’s my overview of the TOK Presentation.

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  • Support Sites

Extended Essay Support Site

Assessment criteria, criterion a: focus and method.

  • To what extent is the topic of the essay communicated effectively?
  • To what extent is the research question clearly stated and focused?
  • To what extent is the methodology of teh research complete?
Marks Descriptor
1-2 is too broad and does not lend itself to an investigation in the subject. The is understood but not clearly articulated. The essay is not focused on the .
3-4 is clear. The essay is only partially focused on and connected to the . . There is some evidence that the selection of these sources and methods is informed.
5-6 is clear. The essay is focused on and connected to the . . There is evidence that the selection of these sources and methods is informed and effective.

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

  • To what extent does the essay show knowledge and understanding?
  • To what extent is the use of concepts and terminology clear and appropriate?
Marks Descriptor
1-2 .
3-4 .
5-6 .

Criterion C: Critical thinking

Note: If the topic or research question is inappropriate for the subject, candidates will not be awarded more than 3 marks for Criterion C.

  • To what extent is the research appropriate to the research question and its application relevant to the argument?
  • To what extent is the research analysed and focused on the research question ?
  • To what extent are conclusions drawn from evidence?
  • To what extent is a reasoned argument developed from the research with a conclusion that is drawn from the evidence?
  • To what extent is a reasoned argument structured and coherent?
  • To what extent has the research been critically evaluated?
Marks Descriptor
1-3 and argument is not clear.
4-6 and argument. . Irrelevant research takes away from the argument.
7-9 and argument. . Less relevant research rarely takes away from the argument.
10-12 and argument. . Less relevant research does not take away from the argument.

Criterion D: Presentation

  • To what extent does the structure of the essay lend itself to the topic, subject and argument?
  • To what extent is the layout correct?
  • To what extent do the structure and layout support the reading, understanding and evaluation of the essay?
Marks Descriptor
1-2
3-4

Criterion E: Engagement

  • To what extent does the RPPF show reflection on decision making and planning?
  • To what extent does the RPPF show personal engagement with the focus and process of research?
Marks Descriptor
1-2
3-4
5-6

Are you looking for an EE checklist? Before you explore the one on this Support Site, try to make your own. The best checklists are based on the assessment criteria. Study the criteria above to make your own EE checklist.

This discussion is now closed.

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COMMENTS

  1. Guide to the TOK Essay

    The TOK essay is a 1600 word essay written about topics usually given to students from their teachers from a list of numerous options. It is an essay that promotes arguments and counterarguments for the topic at hand. Understanding your ways of knowing (WOKs) and areas of knowledge (AOKs) is extremely crucial before you even start choosing a ...

  2. IB TOK Essay Rubric: Understand Grading Criteria

    These titles prompt discussions on various topics in knowledge, ethics, science, mathematics, human sciences, and more. There is a maximum TOK essay word count of 1,600 words. This strict limit requires students to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely. The essay is assessed using criteria that evaluate students' ability to identify ...

  3. Guide to the TOK Presentation

    To correlate a letter grade to your score out of 30, IB uses grade boundaries. These boundaries can change any year so checking in with your school for the most updated ones is best. Here is a past example of grade boundaries: A - 22 to 30. B - 16 to 21. C - 10 to 15. D - 4 to 9. E - 0 to 3

  4. Extended essay: TOK / EE matrix

    TOK / EE matrix. Marks from the EE are turned into grades, using the grade boundaries. The EE grade is combined with the TOK grade to determine the number of bonus points awarded, using the following 'matrix'. If you do not submit your extended essay on time (NS = Not Submitted) , or you do not submit your TOK essay on time you will not be ...

  5. PDF Grade descriptors

    Interdisciplinary subjects grade descriptors 20 Extended essay grade descriptors 24 Theory of knowledge grade descriptors 26. Grade descriptors 1 Diploma Programme ... Senior examiners use these grade descriptors when determining grade boundaries for examination papers and coursework components. For each grade, qualities of a typical ...

  6. IB Theory Of Knowledge Grade Calculator

    Calculate your IB Theory Of Knowledge grade! See historical grade boundary data, course descriptions, and more. ... Theory Of Knowledge Essay. Weight: 67% / 10. Theory Of Knowledge Exhibition. Weight: 33% / 10. ... M22, N22 grade boundaries were artificially low due to COVID. There were also NOTE: Beware of using outdated grade boundaries. Many ...

  7. TOK 2022 assessment

    Theory of Knowledge is assessed, but not in the form of an exam. Instead, there are two parts of the assessment: an essay on a prescribed title and, new to this specification, the "TOK exhibition." The essay is marked externally and is worth 67% of the marks. The Exhibition is marked internally (but moderated externally) and worth 33% of the marks.

  8. PDF The TOK Essay: An In-Depth Guide

    The following guide will provide you with an overview of what examiners look for in a TOK essay before breaking down the steps you need to take to complete yours to a high standard. Your essay will be marked by an external IB examiner and given a score out of 10. These 10 points are divided into 5 levels, ranging from 'excellent' to 'rudimentary'.

  9. Tok 2022: Theory of Knowledge Website for The Ibdp

    In Theory of Knowledge classes, you will explore knowledge questions related to a range of themes . You will also look at a 5 compulsory areas of knowledge: History, Human Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and The Arts. You will make links between various areas of knowledge whilst evaluating the boundaries that confine them.

  10. PDF Grade boundaries for TOK May 2015

    Grade boundaries for TOK May 2015*. NOTE: An 'E' in TOK results in no IBDP awarded.

  11. Understanding the TOK essay rubric

    After understanding the of the basics of the essay, your next step is to grasp how it is evaluated and marked, which is outlined in the 'assessment instrument'. Your TOK teacher will give you a copy of this, or you can find it online in the 2022 TOK Guide. The overall assessment objective of the TOK essay is to answer the prescribed essay title in a clear, coherent, and critical way.

  12. PDF Diploma Points Matrix & Extended Essay Grade Boundaries

    A candidate who fails to submit a TOK essay, or who fails to make a presentation, will be awarded N for TOK, will score no points, and will not be awarded a Diploma. Performance in both Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay of an elementary standard is a failing condition for the award of the Diploma. Extended essay grade boundaries

  13. Theory of knowledge

    Theory of knowledge (TOK) is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay. It asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. TOK is part of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, and is mandatory for all students. Learn more about theory of knowledge.

  14. PDF THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE

    Essay grade boundaries for this session were set during the grade award meeting after extensive reading and discussion of scripts, as follows: Grade: E D C B A ... Theory of knowledge . Page 3 . oppositions, examples are largely drawn from the realm of cliché, and unsupported opinions

  15. TOK essay grade boundaries? : r/IBO

    But to answer your question, the your TOK letter grade depends how well you did on your essay and presentation combined. It's a score out of 30. They double your essay score and add it to your presentation score. For example if you get 6 on essay and 5 on presentation that's 17 points (6*2 + 5). Idk the boundary for D but 22 is A, 16 is B ...

  16. Theory of knowledge (IB course)

    Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a compulsory core subject of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme covering, for example, epistemological topics. It is marked on a letter scale (A-E) and aims to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know." Students who attain an E will not be able to receive their final IB Diploma.

  17. Overview: What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?

    The main frameworks in TOK are the Areas of Knowledge (AOKs), and Ways of Knowing (WOKs), listed below: Elena's graphic. 1. TOK Essay. The Essay revolves around one of 6 Prescribed Titles given by the IBO. It has a 1,600 word limit and is marked out of 10. All essays are marked by external examiners, and accounts for ⅔ of your final TOK grade.

  18. How to Structure a Theory of Knowledge Essay

    Paragraph 1. - Say one or two interesting things about the prescribed title question. This shows us, right away that you know what the question is asking. - Define one or two of the key terms in the title. Get definitions for all of the main words in your title. You don't need to include all of them in your essay, but it's useful to see how ...

  19. IB TOK Essay examples

    High scoring IB Theory of Knowledge Essay examples. See what past students did and make your TOK Essay perfect by learning from examiner commented examples! ... You can always look through our example Theory of Knowledge coursework below for inspiration. All TOK Essay Examples. Filter. Filter exemplars. IB College. Category. IA. EE. TOK. Notes ...

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  21. What are the grade boundaries for the tOK essay? : r/IBO

    To find your overall grade, double your essay grade and add it with your presentation grade. Hope this helped. Reply [deleted] • Additional comment actions ... ee and tok boundaries wont change. everything else is anyones guess. Reply [deleted] • ...

  22. Diploma programme assessment

    The theory of knowledge (TOK) and extended essay (EE) components are awarded individual grades and, collectively, can contribute up to 3 additional points towards the overall diploma score. ... Students who gain a grade 3 or higher in studies in language and literature and a grade 3 or higher in an individuals and societies or science subject ...

  23. Extended essay: Grade boundaries

    Grade boundaries. After marks are awarded for all five assessment criteria, they are converted into letter grades using 'grade boundaries'. Grade boundaries are not subject specific. In theory these boundaries can change from year to year. In practice they usually stay the same. The following boundaries can be applied to sample Extended Essays.

  24. Grade boundaries for TOK : r/IBO

    Grade boundaries for TOK. Hi! May I know if anyone knows the TOK grade boundaries for 2021? Probably like 24/30. The essay is 20 and presentation is 10. So you need like a 8/10 in the essay and a 8/10 in the presentation.

  25. Extended essay: Assessment criteria

    Any attempts to evaluate the research are superficial. 4-6. The research is adequate. Its application is partially relevant and appropriate to the research question and argument. Analysis of the research is adequate and only partially relevant to the research question. Irrelevant research takes away from the argument.

  26. TOK Essay Grade boundaries

    An A usually starts in the range 31-33. They are graded together with the presentation though. And it's easier to get a high presentation score for that one. Reply 2. 18 years ago. A. David1989. May 2005 TOK grade boundaries.