It could be one of the best choices you make in your IB years to write your Extended Essay on Computer Science if it fits your skills and hobbies. As someone who has been an IB guide and essay advisor for a long time, I’ve seen students both succeed and struggle based on how well they understand the subject’s requirements.
So, let’s talk about who should write an EE in Computer Science and whether it’s really that hard.
What Is the IB Computer Science EE Subject?
IB rules say that for the IB Computer Science subject, you have to write a 4,000-word essay based on research and Computer Science concepts. It’s important to note that this isn’t just about writing code for a project. Some articles include a small experiment to test a theory, but academic research is what they are primarily about. You need to come up with a focused question, use logic or actual tests to answer it, and then show your results in a clear and organized way.
From what I’ve seen, many students make mistakes by thinking of this as a programming task. That’s not the point. It is a mix of organized writing and science, where you use your tech skills through research as well as technical performance.
Who Should Choose the Computer Science Extended Essay?
From helping students with the IB, I’ve noticed that those who excel in this subject tend to have a few things in common. We will look more closely at what makes someone a good fit for the IB Computer Science EE subject.
Passion for Technology and Problem Solving
You might really enjoy this subject if you’ve ever found yourself fixing a piece of code late at night, not because you had to, but because you wanted to. I believe that the best writing is done by students who naturally think logically and enjoy using systems and methods to solve problems in the real world.
Still, you don’t have to be the best coder in your class at all. What’s more important is that you are interested and can ask focused questions. As an example:
- “When working with big datasets, how well does quicksort work compared to heapsort?”
- “How do hash functions help keep the blockchain safe?”
- “How well can facial recognition software tell the difference between identical twins?”
Most of the time, students who approach these kinds of questions do well, even if their technical skills are still growing.
Strong Background in IB Computer Science
If you can, you should take IB Computer Science as one of your subjects. It will give you a big edge. I’ve seen that it’s much easier for students to make a good research plan when they already know about things like recursion, object-oriented programming, data structures, and network protocols.
Students who don’t have that base, on the other hand, often get stuck, either writing too academic pieces or suggesting projects that can’t be done in 4,000 words. That being said, if you’re already taking IB Computer Science, you can choose this subject with confidence.
Genuine Interest in Research and Writing
To be clear, this is still an essay. In other words, writing is just as important as code. Even if you’re trying an algorithm or making a small program, most of your grade will depend on how well you write about your research, your findings, and your critical thoughts.
If my students like writing about how technology works instead of just using it, I tell them that they will probably enjoy this subject. When you write a good Computer Science EE, it’s more like writing a research paper with a technical twist than a software manual.
So, who should choose the IB Computer Science EE subject? Students who are:
- Interested in how computers solve real problems.
- Curious about coding but also comfortable writing.
- Able to think logically and stay organized.
- Willing to research and test hypotheses systematically.
- Excited by the idea of combining academic research with applied technology.
If this describes you, then, in my view, you’re already one step ahead. A well-considered strategy and the appropriate research question can help you to write an interesting, academically solid Extended Essay.
Is the IB Computer Science EE Subject Hard?
Let’s be honest: the IB Computer Science EE subject is pretty hard. The amount of challenge, on the other hand, depends on what you like and what you’re good at.
For those who usually write creative essays or essays about events in history, this essay style might seem a bit complicated and strange to you. If you enjoy fixing bugs or like to see how systems work under high pressure, this EE might be more fun than hard for you.
In fact, many students who are already doing well in IB Computer Science see EE as a way to learn more outside of school. It allows you to use concepts like object-oriented programming, binary trees, or sorting methods to answer a research question. But there is still a learning curve, even for good Computer Science students. This is especially true when it comes to academic writing, citing sources, and organizing a case that makes sense over 4,000 words.
Common Challenges in the Computer Science EE
Computer Science isn’t like other subjects where there are a lot of easy-to-find books. Instead, you often have to look deeper into academic journals, research databases, expert documentation, and reliable online sources. It takes time and sometimes some imagination to do that.
Here is a short list of common mistakes that I tell my students to stay away from:
- Picking a topic that won’t have a clear result.
- Using primary and secondary sources that are out of date.
- Too much code writing without analysis.
- Not paying attention to the framework or writing rules.
- Not showing that you are interested in the topic.
The more technical the topic is, the more likely it is that these mistakes will show up in Computer Science Extended Essays.
How It Compares to Other EE Subjects
How is this Extended Essay different from other ones in the IB curriculum? From my perspective, the IB Computer Science EE strikes a good balance between subjects that require a lot of reading and writing, such as IB English or History, and subjects that rely heavily on theory. It’s difficult, but you won’t have to do 12 pages of math questions. Still, it requires a more structured way of thinking than essays in the sciences or arts.
Computer Science EE might be the ideal middle ground if you like evidence-based analysis but don’t like writing literature reviews or creating mathematical proofs. It lets you use research, reasoning, and organized thought without requiring you to remember too many rules or literary theory.
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Tips for High-Scoring Computer Science Extended Essay
If you want to get good grades—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?—you should approach this essay with a plan, organization, and some original ideas. The good news is that the Computer Science Extended Essay subject allows you to demonstrate technical skills as well as academic focus and research depth.
Starting early is the most important thing. Time will help you the most in this situation. Most of the time, students who plan do better than those who wait until the last minute. Remember that the goal of this essay is to present a coherent academic argument, not just to write code.
From what I’ve seen, these are some of the most important things that students can do to get a perfect grade:
- Choose a clear, measurable research question that you can test or look into.
- Make a research and writing schedule with due dates to stay organized.
- Make sure your method is clear by writing down everything, from test results to different versions of the code.
- To help you with your analysis, use pictures like flowcharts, code snippets, and graphs.
- In the end, think about your work and show that you have personal growth and intellectual development.
It’s also important to look over the IB Computer Science EE subject grading rubric early on. Know what the judges want and keep that in mind as you write.
Finally, go back and edit it again. The best papers I’ve seen are technically accurate, well-written, easy to understand, and structured in a way that makes sense. You should treat it like a serious academic paper, and your grade will probably show that you did.
Final Thoughts
Here are some things you can ask yourself if you’re still not sure about the Computer Science Extended Essay subject:
- Do I like using logic to solve problems?
- Can I do organized writing for school?
- Do I really want to know more about computer systems?
Most likely, you’re ready to take on this task if you said yes. From what I’ve seen, students who choose this subject and work hard at it often take pride in what they create. Don’t forget that you can always get in touch with our IB writers if you need help with your Computer Science Extended Essay.
FAQ
Technically, yes. But from my point of view, it’s not a good idea unless you have solid knowledge of Computer Science already.
It should reflect your level of understanding in IB Computer Science. Use technical explanations where needed, but keep the essay readable and structured.
Not at all. You can include code in the Computer Science EE if it helps your analysis, but it’s not mandatory.
Look for a supervisor who is confident in IB Computer Science EE subject material and understands both research and coding basics. Schedule regular meetings to stay on track.
