When it comes to choosing the subject for your Extended Essay, it can be hard to decide. As someone who has taught and written for the IB for a long time, I know that students who are interested, organized, and love making connections between theory and real life are drawn to Chemistry. So, if you’re asking yourself, “Should I pick the IB Chemistry EE subject?”—this article is for you.
We’ll talk about what the Chemistry EE is, who should take it, how hard it can be, and why it might be something you’re good at.
What Is the Chemistry Extended Essay?
In the core standards of the IB Diploma Program, the IB Chemistry EE course has some of the most research-heavy work. The central part of it is a 4,000-word academic paper that answers a clearly stated Chemistry research question. One thing that makes this different from other Chemistry assignments or tests is that it requires and gives you freedom. Instead of just following along with an experiment, you’re in charge of the whole investigation.
The best writings I’ve seen don’t depend on catchy names or words that are too hard to understand. They instead come up with a clear research question and use well-planned experiments, quantitative data, and a strong theoretical basis. You can be creative and precise at the same time, and you can use everything you’ve learned in class to solve a real problem in the lab.
The Chemistry Extended Essay subject indeed gives you more freedom, but that freedom can also be bad. The IB is very strict about making sure that your work stays in Chemistry and not in Biology or Environmental Science. You can talk about ideas from other fields, but your research, how you analyze the facts, and the words you use must all be based on Chemistry.
To give you a better idea, a good Chemistry EE typically includes:
- A clear and testable research question that can be looked into in the lab or by looking at existing data.
- Plan an experiment with safety, accuracy, and changeable control in mind.
- Using graphs, calculations, and error bars to look at quantitative data.
- Chemistry theory application (such as kinetics, equilibrium, and organic chemistry).
- Structured argument supported by scientific literature and peer-reviewed sources.
To put it another way, you’re writing a short research paper, similar to the lab reports you would write at the college level.
Is the Chemistry Extended Essay Subject Hard?
To be honest, the IB Chemistry EE subject is often thought to be one of the more challenging ones by many. And it’s not just a story going around the class. I’ve helped dozens of students get through the process, and I can say for sure that it’s not easy. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be handled.
The strict need to follow the scientific method is one of the first big problems. Your work must be based on measurable data, reproducible methods, and thoughtful control of variables. It’s not enough to just repeat an experiment you did in class; you need to add to it, show that you can think for yourself, and make sure it answers a specific chemistry-based research question.
Another place where students often make mistakes is with the formatting. General IB standards say that organization is just as important as content. There should be proper sources, labeled diagrams, a precise flow between parts, and a uniform style in your essay. If needed, there should also be footnotes or endnotes. Distractions like poor organization or incorrect sources can occur even with the best research.
For example, the following issues have frequently arisen in IB Chemistry Extended Essays over the years.
- Using school lab equipment to try to answer a research question that is too big for the space available.
- Using personal data instead of numeric data when it’s needed.
- Instead of conducting original experiments, IB students rely too much on external sources.
- Not linking the data and chemical theory in the research part.
- Not taking into account the time required for editing, formatting, and citation.
Don’t let the amount of challenge turn you off, though. This is why it’s so highly valued: it’s meant to be hard.
Who Should Choose the Chemistry Extended Essay Subject?
To be honest, the Chemistry Extended Essay is not a subject that everyone enjoys. If it gives you a rush of pleasure to solve a stoichiometry problem or titrate a solution just right, this subject might be a good fit for you. I believe that students who enjoy fixing problems and working in the lab are more likely to succeed.
You should also enjoy learning on your own. You will get some help from your boss, but you will have to do most of the work. Originality, depth of knowledge, and research skills are some of the main factors that the IB uses to evaluate work.
What Do You need to Be Prepared?
From what I’ve seen, students who have performed well in IB Chemistry, especially those taking the HL course, are more comfortable with the Extended Essay writing process. You should already know how to plan and carry out experiments, look at factors, and write organized lab reports. Also, you must be good at managing your time.
You’ll have to strike a mix between your other subjects and the sometimes difficult internal assessments. But it can be done with the right plan.
Who Might Be Better Off Choosing Another IB Subject?
It’s fine to choose something else if Chemistry isn’t your best subject or if the thought of spending hours in a lab makes you nervous. Some of my students initially wanted to do an EE in Chemistry, but then they found they were better suited for English, History, or Psychology EE.
Keep in mind that the Extended Essay should be hard, but not painful. Choose something that fits your skills and interests.
Should You Conduct an Experiment for Chemistry Extended Essay?
As someone who has worked with IB students for many years, I can confirm that completing an experiment for your IB Chemistry EE subject is not only advised but also typically expected. The Chemistry Extended Essay tests how well you can plan, conduct, and analyze scientific studies.
General IB rules say that a Chemistry extended essay should be mainly based on experiments. Although theory or data-based essays are technically acceptable, original experiments in essays get better grades because they are more in line with what the subject wants.
Besides that, experimenting gives your essay a clear framework. Like in real scientific research, you’ll have a research question, a method, facts, a study, and a result.
Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.
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When Might It Be Okay Not to Experiment in Chemistry EE?
However, there are times when students just don’t have access to a well-stocked lab, certain drugs, or high-tech instruments. Don’t worry if that’s the case; you can still write a great IB Chemistry EE subject even if you don’t do your own experiment.
You can instead focus on using secondary data, such as existing research, to support and back up your analysis. Make a strong case based on science and show that you can think critically about how you use the facts. There’s no need to make your raw data for your essay; it should still be organized like a science experiment.
When students can’t experiment, they often use one of these other methods instead:
- There are published science studies that can be compared using chemical principles.
- Software for simulations or models (especially for dynamics, molecular behavior, or equilibrium).
- There are public chemistry sources where you can find current numeric values and review them.
- Computer programs for analyzing structures or guessing what reactions will happen.
There must still be core Chemistry material in all of these options, but not general science or biology. This paper must also include clear factors, numerical analysis, and explanations based on proof to meet the IB requirements.
Final Thoughts
The Chemistry Extended Essay subject can push you to your limits, but it’s also one of the best ways to learn in high school. When students turn in their final writings, they are filled with happiness because they know they have created something they can call their own.
One more reason not to worry too much? You don’t need to do everything by yourself. It’s much easier to handle things if you meet with your supervisor, ask the right questions, and break down the work into smaller tasks with specific due dates. I’ve seen that IB students do much better when they set up regular feedback sessions. Structure, pace, and regularity are critical.
Also, this essay is helpful for more than just IB. If you want to go to college to study Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Engineering, the EE on this subject shows that you know how to write research papers—admissions often like students who are passionate and take the lead in their studies.
To put it simply, is it hard? Yes. But is it possible? Of course. Besides that, if you need help with Chemistry EE, you can also get in touch with IBWritingService.com.
