TOK Exhibition Criteria Explained (2025): How to Score 9-10/10
The complete guide to the TOK exhibition marking scheme, with examples, checklists, and examiner-style tips.
What Is Assessed in the TOK Exhibition? (10 Marks)
The TOK exhibition is graded out of 10 marks using a single holistic rubric - unlike other IB assessments that use multiple criteria. It is internally assessed by your teacher and then moderated by the IB, so understanding exactly what the rubric rewards is essential.
To score well, you’ll submit a commentary of up to 950 words where you connect three specific real-world objects to one prescribed prompt. The examiner isn’t looking for description - they’re looking for clear justification and insight that matches the TOK exhibition criteria.
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TOK Exhibition Mark Bands (2025)
The TOK exhibition criteria are assessed using five mark bands. Each band reflects how well your commentary and object choices meet the IB marking scheme. Understanding these bands shows exactly what examiners reward - and what separates a top score from the rest.
| Band | Marks | What it means (student-friendly) |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 9–10 | Insightful; clear link to prompt; strong justification; coherent structure; accurate use of TOK concepts |
| Good | 7–8 | Relevant, well-reasoned; mostly clear links; some insight |
| Satisfactory | 5–6 | Adequate links; uneven analysis; some description instead of justification |
| Elementary | 3–4 | Vague or partial links; mostly descriptive; limited TOK terminology |
| Weak | 1–2 | Minimal connection to prompt; little or no justification |
Examiners place your exhibition into a mark band based on how clearly your commentary and objects meet these descriptors. To aim for the 9-10 Excellent band, you need clear connections, strong justification, and genuine insight.
What Examiners Reward in the TOK Exhibition
Here’s what the TOK exhibition rubric really values. To score in the top band, your work should show:
Direct relevance to the prompt - every object should have a clear and explicit link back.
Example: If your prompt is about bias, don’t just present a newspaper - explain how its coverage illustrates bias in knowledge.Justification over description – it’s not about what the object is, but what it shows about knowledge.
Example: Instead of “this is my chess trophy,” say “this trophy shows how knowledge in mathematics can be applied to strategy.”Use of TOK language and concepts - terms like evidence, perspective, justification, values signal that you’re applying TOK ideas, not just everyday commentary.
Coherent, focused commentary - a logical flow, no repetition between objects, and a commentary that stays under 950 words.
Insight and originality - your take should go beyond the obvious. Examiners reward unique, thoughtful links between the object, the prompt, and knowledge.
The 3 Objects Rule: Depth Beats Description
For the TOK exhibition, you must choose three distinct real-world objects that all connect to the same prescribed prompt. The IB values specific, contextualized objects (e.g., your own school’s code of conduct) over generic ones (like “a law book”).
Variety helps insight. If all three objects make the same point, you’ll lose depth. Aim for different angles that show you’ve thought critically about the prompt.
Example: Prompt 8: “What role do experts play in influencing our consumption of knowledge?”
Medical journal article → shows how evidence from experts guides public health.
Advertisement for a new tech gadget → shows how power and authority influence what we accept as knowledge.=
Family photo with a doctor → shows how perspective shapes trust in expertise at a personal level.
Together, these objects hit the same prompt but each adds a new layer of insight. That’s what examiners want.
Want to know if your TOK Exhibition meets the criteria? Our review service gives you detailed, band-by-band feedback from expert IB TOK teachers and examiners.
How to Hit the TOK Exhibition Criteria (Application Guide)
A) Writing the TOK Exhibition Commentary (≤ 950 words)
Start by stating your prompt clearly and naming your three objects.
Write one focused paragraph per object, explaining what it shows about knowledge and how it links to the prompt.
Use 1-2 TOK concepts (like justification or perspective) where they actually help your point - avoid dumping jargon for the sake of it.
End with a short synthesis paragraph that ties your three objects together and answers: what do these examples show about knowledge overall?
B) Choosing and Presenting Objects
Pick specific, contextualized objects with a clear link to the prompt. A personal photo, a school policy, or a news article works better than a stock Google image.
For each object, include:
An image (or photo)
A label/title
A brief description of what it is and its context
Examiners want to see that your objects are real and relevant, not generic placeholders.
Need help choosing a TOK Exhibition prompt or objects? Book an IB TOK tutor to guide you in selecting meaningful prompts and real-world objects that score top marks.
Common TOK Exhibition Mistakes (and Quick Solutions)
Even strong students lose marks on the TOK exhibition criteria because of simple, avoidable errors. Here are the most common ones - and easy ways to fix them:
Only describing the object → Fix: Explain what it shows about knowledge, not just what it is.
Weak link to the prompt → Fix: Add a clear, explicit sentence that ties the object directly back to the prompt.
Vague TOK terms (“perspective”, “power”) → Fix: Define them and show how they apply in your context.
Repeating the same idea across 3 objects → Fix: Choose objects that highlight different angles on the prompt.
Over/under word count (950 words) → Fix: Focus on justification over description; trim the fluff.
Avoiding these mistakes keeps your exhibition clear, focused, and easier for examiners to reward.
Struggling to structure your TOK Exhibition effectively? Get expert guidance through our TOK Drafting Service to craft a clear and insightful exhibition that meets the IB criteria and impresses examiners.
Simple Checklist: Are You Meeting the TOK Exhibition Criteria?
Use this TOK exhibition checklist before you submit:
Prompt clearly stated and addressed throughout
Three distinct real-world objects, each labeled and imaged
Every object explicitly linked back to the prompt
Commentary built on justification, not description
TOK concepts used accurately and only when relevant (no jargon dump)
Clear structure, no repetition, and within the 950-word limit
If you can tick every box, you’re meeting the TOK exhibition criteria examiners look for.
TOK Exhibition FAQs
How is the TOK exhibition graded?
The exhibition is graded out of 10 marks using a single holistic rubric. It is assessed by your teacher and then moderated by the IB to ensure consistency across schools.Do I need TOK vocabulary?
Yes. Using TOK vocabulary - terms like evidence, perspective, justification, or values — shows that you’re applying TOK concepts. Use them precisely, not as jargon, to strengthen your justification.
What counts as a real-world object?
A real-world object is specific and contextual, such as your school’s honor code or a newspaper article from a particular date. Generic images or stock photos don’t count because they lack context.Does variety across objects matter?
Yes. Choosing objects that highlight different angles on the same prompt prevents repetition and shows broader understanding, which examiners reward.
TOK Related Guides You’ll Find Helpful
If you’re working on your TOK Assessments, these resources will help you cover every angle:
TOK Exhibition Format & Structure – word count, layout, and commentary details
TOK Exhibition Objects – how to choose strong, specific objects
TOK Essay Criteria – what examiners reward in the TOK essay
Expert Help with Your TOK Exhibition
At Think Smart Tutoring, we’ve helped thousands of IB students succeed in their TOK exhibitions and essays over the past decade.
Our tutors have all been through TOK themselves, many are experienced IB teachers, and some of them are IB examiners. We know how to make the process efficient, clear, and focused on what examiners want to see.
