IBEC Extended Essay Supervision 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many formal reflection sessions are required between a student and their Extended Essay supervisor?
- One at the beginning only
- Two — one interim and one final
- Three — the first, interim, and final (viva voce) (Correct answer)
- Four — one per term
Correct answer: Three — the first, interim, and final (viva voce)
The IB mandates three mandatory reflection sessions captured in the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF).
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the viva voce in the Extended Essay process?
- To assess the student's oral presentation skills
- To allow the supervisor to verify authorship and prompt final reflection (Correct answer)
- To replace the written abstract requirement
- To determine the subject-specific grade for the essay
Correct answer: To allow the supervisor to verify authorship and prompt final reflection
The viva voce is a short concluding interview where the supervisor confirms authorship and supports the student's final reflection.
Question 3: A supervisor notices a student has copied two paragraphs from a source without citation. What is the correct first action?
- Report the student to the IB immediately
- Inform the student and allow them to correct the work before submission (Correct answer)
- Refuse to sign the supervisor's declaration
- Award a zero and submit the essay as-is
Correct answer: Inform the student and allow them to correct the work before submission
Supervisors should alert the student to potential academic integrity violations so corrections can be made prior to final submission.
Question 4: Which document must the supervisor complete and submit alongside the student's Extended Essay?
- Subject guide commentary
- Supervisor's report (EESA) (Correct answer)
- Predicted grade form
- Theory of Knowledge reflection log
Correct answer: Supervisor's report (EESA)
The supervisor submits the EESA (Extended Essay Supervisor's Report) commenting on the student's research process and authenticity.
Question 5: What is the maximum number of hours a supervisor is expected to spend with one student on the Extended Essay?
- 3–5 hours
- Five hours (Correct answer)
- Ten hours
- Twenty hours
Correct answer: Five hours
The IB recommends a maximum of approximately five hours of supervision time per student across the entire process.
Question 6: When reviewing a student's first draft, which type of feedback is considered appropriate for an EE supervisor to provide?
- Correcting grammar and rewriting unclear sentences
- Suggesting specific arguments to strengthen the thesis
- Offering formative comments on structure, focus, and methodology (Correct answer)
- Assigning a predicted score based on the assessment criteria
Correct answer: Offering formative comments on structure, focus, and methodology
Supervisors may give formative guidance on structure and focus but must not rewrite content or pre-grade the essay.
Question 7: A student wants to change their Extended Essay research question after completing a first draft. What should the supervisor advise?
- Changes are never permitted once any draft exists
- The student may change it but must consider timeline implications and gain coordinator approval (Correct answer)
- The student should submit two essays and choose the better one
- Only the IB regional office can authorize a research question change
Correct answer: The student may change it but must consider timeline implications and gain coordinator approval
Research question changes are possible but require coordinator oversight and careful consideration of remaining time.
IBEC Extended Essay Supervision 2
How many formal reflection sessions are required between a student and their Extended Essay supervisor?