ESS IA Criteria: A Practical Planning Checklist

11 Aug ESS IA Criteria: A Practical Planning Checklist

The ESS IA criteria help you plan an investigation and explain your findings clearly. The internal assessment is a separate investigation, not the final written exam. This overview covers the course first assessed in 2026; confirm the requirements for your assessment session with your teacher.

ESS IA criteria at a glance

The current assessment has six criteria, with 30 marks available in total:

• A: Research question and inquiry — 4 marks
• B: Strategy — 4 marks
• C: Method — 4 marks
• D: Treatment of data — 6 marks
• E: Analysis and conclusion — 6 marks
• F: Evaluation — 6 marks

Use the official IB ESS subject guide and your teacher’s guidance for the complete descriptors. This checklist is a planning aid, not a replacement for the rubric.

A practical checklist before you start

• Define your question: Can you explain what you want to investigate and why it matters? Write down the evidence you would need to answer it.
• Think about responses to the issue: What strategy is relevant, who might support it, and where could different interests create tension?
• Check feasibility: List the equipment, permissions, time and data access you need. Discuss safety and ethical questions with your teacher before collecting information.
• Plan your records: Prepare a clear way to record measurements, units, source details and any problems that arise.

Still choosing a direction? Read our guide to ESS IA ideas and research questions.

Questions to ask when reviewing your draft

• Can a reader understand how you obtained and processed your data?
• Do your graphs and tables have useful labels, units and captions?
• Does your conclusion answer your actual research question?
• Have you distinguished what the evidence shows from what you can only suggest?
• Have you explained how specific limitations affect your findings and how the investigation could be improved?
• Are sources acknowledged consistently, and is the explanation in your own words?

Get support with your ESS IA

Marija Maletz offers individual ESS IA help with planning, understanding the criteria and developing your analysis skills. You remain the author of your investigation and final submission.

Students and parents can request a free 20-minute trial lesson to discuss the support needed. Include your assessment year and the stage you have reached.