The RPPF — Reflections on Planning and Progress Form — is worth 6 marks (Criterion E) and is the easiest points you'll ever get in the IB. Most students either overthink it or barely try. Here's exactly how to nail it.
6Marks available — the easiest in the entire IB
3Reflections required
500Words max per reflection
What Your RPPF Should Show
The RPPF shows that you genuinely went through the process of creating a research paper. Examiners want to see:
Challenges. What obstacles did you encounter during research and writing?
Problem-Solving. What initial ideas did you have? What solutions did you try?
Adaptation. What didn't work? What did you learn? How did you adapt?
Growth. How did you grow as a researcher through this process?
The Three Reflections
- Reflection 1 — Early Stage. Why you chose this topic, how you arrived at your RQ, challenges in focusing, supervisor feedback and your response.
- Reflection 2 — Mid Stage. How your understanding evolved, whether you adjusted your RQ, surprises during research, methodology challenges.
- Reflection 3 — Final Stage. What you're most proud of, what you'd do differently, how this process changed the way you think about research.
Reflect, Don't Describe
Don't just describe what happened. Show the thinking behind your decisions. Examiners want to see intellectual engagement, not a timeline of events.
Key takeaways
- The RPPF is worth 6 marks — don't leave them on the table
- Write three reflections: early, mid, and final stage
- Show the thinking behind your decisions, not just events
- Be genuine — show your real research journey, not a fabricated one