TOK Essay Criteria Explained: How Your TOK Essay Is Really Graded
A detailed breakdown of how the TOK essay criteria translate into marks - and how to meet every expectation of the holistic 10-mark rubric by focusing on engagement with the prescribed title, balanced arguments, real-life examples, perspectives, and originality.
What Are the TOK Essay Criteria?
When students look up “TOK essay criteria,” they usually expect a list like the Criterion A, B, C system used in other IB subjects.
The TOK essay works differently. It’s assessed using a single holistic rubric out of 10 marks, not separate strands.
That said, examiners are still looking for very specific things in every strong essay:
clear engagement with the prescribed title
balanced arguments
good use of real examples
consideration of perspectives
clear implications
This guide breaks down those expectations in simple terms so you know exactly what examiners reward - and how to check whether your draft meets the standard.
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TOK Essay Criteria vs Other IB Subjects
If you’ve done other IAs, you’re used to clear-cut criteria: Criterion A, B, C, and so on. The TOK essay isn’t like that.
Instead, examiners use a single holistic rubric scored out of 10. That means there aren’t named boxes to tick - but there are still specific expectations you need to meet if you want a high mark.
| Assessment | How it’s graded |
|---|---|
| Science IA / Business IA | Separate criteria (A, B, C, D), each with its own descriptors |
| TOK Essay | One overall rubric out of 10 marks — examiners judge the essay as a whole |
Why this matters: without separate criteria, you need to be ‘your own examiner’. That means checking your essay for clarity, balanced arguments, strong examples, and direct focus on the prescribed title.
What the TOK Essay Rubric Actually Says (2025)
According to the official IB TOK Essay rubric, a high-scoring essay shows all of these qualities:
Engagement with the prescribed title – Every part of your essay should clearly connect to the exact title you chose.
Exploration of knowledge questions – Show that you’re analyzing the issues of knowledge raised by the title, not just giving opinions.
Use of real-life examples – Support your points with specific, relevant examples that actually illustrate your argument.
Consideration of perspectives – Balance claims with counterclaims, and acknowledge more than one point of view.
Coherence and structure – Present your ideas in a clear, logical order that’s easy for examiners to follow.
Insight and originality – Go beyond surface-level points. Show personal thinking, surprising connections, or deeper implications.
Examiners use these qualities to decide whether your essay is Elementary (1-2 marks), Satisfactory (5-6), Good (7-8), or Excellent (9-10).
6 Qualities Examiners Reward in a High-Scoring TOK Essay
The TOK essay rubric is holistic, but every strong essay shares these six qualities. Use them as checkpoints to see whether your draft is on track for top marks.
1. Engagement with the Prescribed Title
What it means:
Answer the exact prescribed title. Don’t rephrase or drift into a general discussion.
Example of doing it well:
“This essay responds to Prescribed Title 3 by exploring how sense perception and language shape what we accept as reliable evidence in the natural sciences and history.”
Pitfall to avoid:
Writing about knowledge in general without connecting every point back to the prescribed title.
2. Exploration of Knowledge Questions
What it means:
Go beyond opinions. A strong essay identifies and analyzes the knowledge questions behind the title.
Example of doing it well:
Instead of just saying “history is subjective,” a student might ask:
“To what extent does emotional investment shape what historians accept as true?”
Pitfall to avoid:
Letting the essay turn into a list of personal views with no knowledge question at the center.
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3. Real-Life Examples That Actually Support Claims
What it means:
Examples should be specific, relevant, and explained so they clearly support your argument.
Example of doing it well:
Using the 2015 replication crisis in psychology to show how methodological issues affect what counts as knowledge in the human sciences.
Pitfall to avoid:
Dropping vague examples like “people believe in astrology” without analysis or clear connection to your claim.
4. Considering Different Perspectives
What it means:
Balance your essay with both claims and counterclaims, and acknowledge more than one point of view.
Example of doing it well:
Arguing that science strives for objectivity, but also showing how cultural or personal bias can influence data interpretation.
Pitfall to avoid:
Only presenting one side of the argument, or listing perspectives without analyzing them.
5. Logical Structure and Clear Flow
What it means:
A good TOK essay is easy to follow. Each section connects logically to the next, and everything links back to the prescribed title.
Example of doing it well:
The introduction sets up the approach, each AOK has a claim and counterclaim, and the conclusion synthesizes insights rather than repeating.
Pitfall to avoid:
Paragraphs that jump around, weak transitions, or a conclusion that doesn’t fully answer the title.
6. Originality, Insight, and Critical Thinking
What it means:
Show personal thinking and depth. High-mark essays connect ideas, ask “so what?”, and draw out implications.
Example of doing it well:
Instead of writing “math gives certainty,” a student asks:
“Can mathematical certainty blind us to ethical uncertainty when applying results?”
Pitfall to avoid:
Relying on clichés (“everyone sees the world differently”) or simply repeating class notes.
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TOK Essay Criteria FAQs
Is there a Criterion A, B, C like in other subjects?
No. The TOK essay is graded with one holistic rubric out of 10 marks. Examiners judge your essay as a whole rather than splitting marks across different strands.
What’s the passing mark for the TOK essay?
There isn’t a single “pass mark.” The essay is combined with your TOK exhibition to give a final grade (A–E). But generally, essays below 5/10 tend to hold students back from scoring well overall.
How much do real-life examples matter?
A lot. They’re one of the main ways examiners judge whether your claims and counterclaims are well-supported. Vague or generic examples won’t get you far.
Can you fail TOK just because of the essay?
Yes — if your essay is missing or extremely weak, you can’t pass TOK overall, since the essay counts for 67% of your grade.
How do I know if I’m meeting the criteria?
Check whether your essay shows engagement with the prescribed title, clear knowledge questions, balanced perspectives, solid examples, and genuine insight.
Still unsure?
Our IA/EE/TOK review service will show you exactly where you stand -and how to close the gap before submission.
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