The Extended Essay is a required 4000-word project that is started in the spring of the Junior year with the selection of a subject, topic, question, and an advisor. The subject is chosen by the student and may be any topic within the IB curriculum. Students and advisors meet to refine the topic chosen, if necessary. The students should do their primary research, contact their advisor at least once, and prepare a first draft, during the summer.

In the fall of the senior year, students consult with their advisors and refine the paper. The final due date is the end of October . Seniors find themselves facing internal assessments in all of their subjects, college applications and essays, and scholarship applications, starting in November. Some students choose to put off the essay until September or even later. This is usually reflected in the quality of the essay and can affect the subsequent reward of bonus points towards the diploma. IBO selected people grade the extended essay.

To see a list of this year's topics for the 12th grade extended essay, click here.