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IB Past Paper Strategy: The Sprint Planner

How to Choose Your IB Extended Essay Topic

November 3, 2025

Struggling to select an IB Extended Essay topic? Discover how to choose a research question that maximizes your score and aligns with your university goals.

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A strong Extended Essay topic must be focused, researchable, and allow for in-depth analysis rather than just a narrative description. It should be a topic you are genuinely passionate about, as this drives the "Personal Engagement" criteria, but it must also have sufficient data or academic sources available to support a 4,000-word argument.

While the IB allows you to write your EE in any subject, we generally recommend choosing one of your Higher Level (HL) subjects. This allows you to leverage the deeper knowledge you are already building in class. Furthermore, writing an EE in a subject related to your intended university degree can strengthen your personal statement and demonstrate commitment to that field.

Our tutors are high-scoring IB graduates who have successfully navigated the EE process themselves. They act as expert mentors to help you refine your research question, structure your argument, and keep you on track with deadlines. They provide personalized feedback on drafts to ensure your analysis meets the specific assessment criteria, all while strictly adhering to IB academic honesty guidelines.

The free consultation is a 20–30 minute session with a dedicated Student Success Expert. It is designed to understand your specific IB challenges—whether that's the EE, IA deadlines, or exam revision. You will leave with a clear plan, actionable priorities, and next steps to improve your grades. There is absolutely no obligation to purchase tutoring; it is simply a chance to get expert advice on your current trajectory.

Yes. Whether you are brainstorming a topic, stuck in the middle of your research, or refining your final draft, our tutors can step in at any stage. We can review your progress to ensure your arguments are logical and your formatting is correct, helping you maximize your potential score before the final submission.

Lanterna tutors are not just subject experts; they are top-tier IB graduates who understand the unique pressure and format of the Diploma. They provide "insider" knowledge on what examiners look for, specifically regarding the core components like the EE and TOK. This shared experience creates a supportive, mentorship-style relationship that boosts both confidence and grades.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 2025. LANTERNA EDUCATION LTD, NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE IBO