You messed up your EE draft, predicted grades go to universities in October, and final submission is a few weeks after that. So will your predicted grade carry a C or D for the EE, and is your offer in danger? Here is how it 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 have seen: your draft, your RPPF reflections, and your meetings. If your draft was rough, the prediction will probably reflect that. Your actual final EE grade is given by an external IB examiner who has never seen your draft and has no idea what your supervisor predicted. They grade fresh, off your final submission and RPPF only. That is how I went from a predicted C to a final A.
The EE and TOK bonus matrix
EE and TOK combine for up to 3 extra points on your total. A C in EE with an A in TOK still gives you 2 bonus points. A D in EE with an A in TOK also gives you 2. So strong TOK lifts your overall score even when the EE comes out weaker than you hoped.
Only an E actually fails
Only an E in the EE or TOK fails the diploma. A C or D still passes. So unless you are genuinely at risk of an E, your diploma is not in danger. The bonus points are what is 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 is 6 of 34 marks for 500 words
Key Takeaways
- Predicted grade comes from your supervisor, final grade from a fresh external examiner
- A strong final can score well above your predicted grade
- EE and TOK give up to 3 bonus points through the matrix
- Only an E in EE or TOK fails the diploma, a C or D still passes
- Your RPPF is 6 marks for 500 words, so don't leave it to the last minute
Free guide
Those last marks usually come from the RPPF. Here is how to score all six.