You messed up your EE draft, predicted grades go to universities in October, and final submission is weeks after that. So will your predicted grade carry a C or D for the EE — and is your offer in danger? Here's how it actually works, from someone who went in predicted a C.
Predicted and final grades come from two different people
Your predicted grade is set by your supervisor, based on what they've seen: your draft, your RPPF reflections, and your meetings. If your draft was rough, your predicted grade will probably reflect that. But your actual final EE grade is given by an external IB examiner who has never seen your draft and doesn't know what your supervisor predicted. They grade fresh, on your final submission and RPPF alone. That's exactly how I went from a predicted C to a final A.
The EE + TOK bonus matrix
EE and TOK combine to award up to 3 extra points toward your total. A C in EE with an A in TOK still earns 2 bonus points. A D in EE with an A in TOK still earns 2. So strong TOK genuinely lifts your overall score even if the EE comes out weaker than you'd hoped.
Only an E actually fails
Only an E in the EE or TOK fails the diploma. A C or D is still a pass. So unless you're genuinely at risk of an E, your diploma isn't in danger — the bonus points are what's in play.
What to do in the final weeks
- 1Use your one full draft review — IB allows it, so take the feedback seriously
- 2Re-read against the actual criteria, especially Criterion B and Criterion C, where most marks are lost
- 3Take your RPPF seriously — it's 6 of 34 marks for 500 words, wildly high-leverage
Key Takeaways
- Predicted grade = your supervisor; final grade = a fresh external examiner
- A strong final can score far above your predicted grade
- EE + TOK give up to 3 bonus points via the matrix
- Only an E in EE or TOK fails the diploma — C and D pass
- Your RPPF is 6 marks for 500 words: don't leave it to the last minute
Free guide
Those last marks usually come from the RPPF. Here's how to score all six.