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The Complete IB TOK Student Guide
Everything you need to succeed in TOK — from first class to final submission.
Essay = 67%
The externally assessed essay (max 1,600 words) is your most important TOK task. Plan carefully.
Exhibition = 33%
Three real-world objects, one IA prompt, ~950 words. Internally assessed, then IB-moderated.
Start in Year 1
Students who plan both components from Year 1 consistently outperform last-minute students.
Grade A is Reachable
Deep examples, genuine argument, precise concept use — Grade A (9-10) is achievable for most students.
Understanding the TOK Course
Theory of Knowledge is a core component of the IB Diploma Programme, compulsory for all students. Unlike your subject courses, TOK does not have a prescribed body of content — instead it asks you to reflect on the nature of knowledge: how we know what we know, what counts as evidence, how perspective shapes what we see, and what our responsibilities are as knowers.
The course is built around two assessed components — the essay and the exhibition — plus ongoing classroom exploration of Areas of Knowledge, Themes, and the 12 key concepts.
The TOK Grade: How It Works
| Component | Weight | Assessed by | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOK Essay | 67% | IB external examiner | 10 |
| TOK Exhibition | 33% | Teacher + IB moderation | 10 |
| Combined | 100% | Grade A–E |
The TOK/EE combined grade can add up to 3 bonus points to your IB total score. A Grade A in both TOK essay and Extended Essay = maximum 3 bonus points.
Year-by-Year Timeline
Year 1, Months 1–3: Foundation
Understand AOKs, 12 concepts, and themes. Begin collecting examples from your subjects.
Year 1, Months 4–8: Exhibition
Choose IA prompt, identify objects, draft commentaries — use teacher feedback here.
Year 1, Months 9–12: Submit Exhibition
Finalise three objects + ~950-word commentary set. Submit and shift focus to essay.
Year 2, Months 1–3: Title Release
Read all six titles carefully. Spend 2–3 weeks unpacking before committing.
Year 2, Months 3–6: Essay Drafting
Write full draft, get teacher feedback, revise substantially.
Year 2, Final Months: Submit Essay
Finalise (max 1,600 words), format correctly, submit through school to IB.
Leaving both assessments until Year 2. The exhibition is internally assessed — your teacher can give substantial feedback during drafting, but only if you start early. Students who start in Year 2 often submit rushed exhibitions that underperform, dragging down their combined grade.
- I understand the 67%/33% essay/exhibition split
- I know the TOK/EE bonus points matrix
- I have a year-by-year plan with exhibition before essay
- I have started collecting real-world TOK examples from my subjects
- I know that Grade E in TOK is a diploma-failing condition