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Mark Band Breakdown
| Mark Band | Marks | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 9–10 | Insightful, nuanced, well-structured. Examples are specific and analysed with depth. Counter-arguments addressed. Knowledge questions clearly identified. |
| Good | 7–8 | Sound analysis with some nuance. Examples relevant and mostly specific. Structure clear. Some opportunities for deeper exploration missed. |
| Satisfactory | 5–6 | Basic analysis present but examples vague or over-described. Arguments not fully developed. Structure acceptable but thesis may drift. |
| Basic | 3–4 | Limited engagement with knowledge questions. Examples generic. Description predominates over analysis. Structure weak. |
| Rudimentary | 1–2 | Minimal TOK understanding. Little or no engagement with the prescribed title. Examples absent or irrelevant. |
What Examiners Actually Look For
Knowledge Questions
Is it genuinely about knowledge?
Examiners check: does the essay explore HOW we know, WHY we believe it, and WHAT counts as evidence — not just WHAT we know. Subject content alone = low marks.
Specific Examples
Named, dated, real-world
Vague examples (“scientists discovered things”) lose marks. Specific examples (“the discovery of CRISPR by Doudna and Charpentier in 2012”) earn marks.
Balanced Argument
Both sides of the claim
A Band A essay never simply agrees or disagrees with the title. It explores the conditions under which the claim is true and those under which it breaks down.
Conceptual Vocabulary
TOK language, used correctly
Terms like “certainty,” “reliability,” “interpretation,” “perspective” must be used with precision. Misusing TOK vocabulary signals surface-level understanding.
Grading Pitfalls
⚠ Common Pitfall
Writing an essay that earns 6/10 instead of 9/10 usually comes down to one thing: describing examples instead of analysing them. Ask “so what does this reveal about knowledge?” after every example.
✅ Examiner’s Mark Sheet — Self Assessment
- ✔ My essay identifies a genuine knowledge question (not a subject-specific question)
- ✔ Every example I use is specific (named, located, dated)
- ✔ I analyse each example — I don’t just describe it
- ✔ I acknowledge at least one strong counter-argument and respond to it
- ✔ My conclusion synthesises: it says something new, not a summary
- ✔ I stay within 1,600 words