January 7, 2026
How to Master the Extended Essay (EE) Without Burning Out
The EE is your chance to research something you care about — but it's also easy to get lost. Here's how to stay focused and finish strong.
The EE is your chance to research something you care about — but it's also easy to get lost. Here's how to stay focused and finish strong.
Pick a topic you genuinely want to explore, not one that "sounds academic."
You'll spend 30+ hours on it — make sure it's interesting.
The narrower, the better.
Example: "The impact of jazz on modern pop" → too broad.
✅ "How did Miles Davis's Kind of Blue influence harmonic structures in 21st-century R&B?" → specific and researchable.
EE writing works best in 4 stages:
Breaking it down prevents overwhelm.
The Reflection on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF) is often neglected — but it's an easy 6 marks.
Write reflections honestly, not perfectly.
📲 Get EE planning tools and exemplars in StudyIB
💬 Ask seniors for EE advice in Discord