UPD 2025
The TOK essay is a required component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. It is a strict word count – 1600-word essay that requires students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know.
The essay is assessed using a specific TOK rubric provided by IBO that evaluates various aspects of the essay. It gotta show the IB you actually understand how knowledge works, how people think, and how we can figure stuff out.
But a lot of students (and even websites) are kinda confused about how this TOK thing gets graded. Let’s clear it up.
Who actually grades your TOK essay?
It’s not your teacher. Like, at all.
The TOK essay gets sent off to IB examiners who don’t know you and don’t go to your school. These are trained folks who mark essays from students all over the world. Teachers might give you tips before you submit, but once it’s sent in, it’s 100% outta their hands.
Some old stuff online says teachers mark it and someone just “checks” it. That’s wrong. Straight-up misinformation. It’s fully external.
How does the TOK grading system actually work now?
Forget the old thing where there were 8 mini-criteria and you could get 2 points each. That was a past setup (like pre-2022). Under this block, you will find how the process worked previously, but now lets check the one used nowadays.
Now, it’s a 40-point system with 4 main parts:
- Scope (10 pts)
Basically: Did you answer the prompt in a clear, focused way? Are you talking about real knowledge questions, or just rambling? Keep it tight. - Understanding (10 pts)
Are you showing you get TOK concepts? Or are you just repeating the prompt? Use legit examples, compare different viewpoints, and avoid sounding like a robot. - Engagement (10 pts)
This is about how well you explore the question. Did you think about different perspectives? Are your arguments actually connected to the question? Don’t just throw in random quotes. - Organization (10 pts)
Can the examiner follow what you’re saying? Is it messy or clean? You don’t need to sound fancy, just be clear and make sure your ideas don’t jump all over the place.
OLD criteria (prior to 2022)
The TOK essay rubric consists of eight criteria, each of which is given a score of 0-2 points. The total score for the essay is a maximum of 16 points. The IB criteria are as follows:
- Knowledge question (0-2 points): TOK essay must address a knowledge question that is relevant to the specified title. The knowledge question should be clearly stated and should guide the analysis and argument of the essay.
- Understanding of knowledge issues (0-2 points): The essay should demonstrate a deep understanding of the knowledge issues related to the knowledge question. This includes an understanding of the different ways in which knowledge can be acquired and the limitations and biases that can affect our understanding of the world.
- Analysis and evaluation (0-2 points): Theory of knowledge essay should provide a critical analysis and evaluation of the knowledge question, using appropriate examples and evidence to support the argument. This includes an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to knowledge and an evaluation of their relative value.
- Integration of AOKs and WOKs (0-2 points): The essay should demonstrate an understanding of the different ways in which knowledge is acquired, including the use of empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and personal experiences. It should also show an understanding of the different Ways of Knowing (WOKs), such as reason, emotion, perception, and language, and how they relate to the knowledge question.
- Personal engagement (0-2 points): TOK essay should demonstrate personal engagement with the knowledge question and show an awareness of the implications of the argument for the student’s own life and the world around them.
- Structure and organization (0-2 points): The essay should be well-structured and organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The structure should be logical and coherent, and should support the argument of the essay.
- Presentation (0-2 points): Theory of knowledge essay should be presented in a clear and concise manner, with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It should also use appropriate referencing and citation style.
- Creativity and initiative (0-2 points): The essay should show creativity and initiative in the approach to the knowledge question and in the use of examples and evidence to support the argument.
What is the passing grade for TOK essay?
The grades go from A to E, but they come from the 40-point total:
- A = usually 34+
- B = around 28–33
- C = about 22–27
- D = like 16–21
- E = under 16
IB doesn’t tell you the exact numbers every year because boundaries shift depending on how everyone does globally. But these are good ballpark figures.
Just a heads up: getting an E can mess with your diploma, especially if your EE grade is also low. So yeah, don’t ignore TOK.
Is the rubric subjective?
Not really. Each examiner follows the same guide. They’re trained to look for certain things, and they double-check marks if something looks off. Your essay could also be re-marked if your school requests it.
So no, it’s not about vibes or if the examiner likes your topic. It’s about how well you answered the prompt using TOK stuff.
Therefore, it is important for students to carefully consider the criteria and ensure that they meet the requirements as fully as possible to maximize their chances of receiving a passing grade, even if they want to write a TOK essay in a week.
Old vs New TOK rubric – quick note
Some older blogs (maybe even this one before) talked about a system with 8 small sections worth 0–2 pts each. That’s how it was before 2022. Since then, the IB switched it up to make it clearer and more focused.
If you’re reading older advice, be careful—the info might not match the current rules.
Final tips
- Always use real examples, not generic stuff you found on a listicle.
- Keep it clear and logical. Messy structure = lost points.
- Use TOK terms, but don’t force them in just to sound smart.
- Start early if you can. Last-minute essays = pain.
Follow the TOK essay rubric to score well
Overall, the TOK essay rubric evaluates the student’s ability to think critically and reflectively about the nature of knowledge and how we acquire it.
It is a challenging and rewarding task that requires students to engage with some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Same thing with following the main 12 TOK concepts, other IB TOK criteria.
In some cases, it’s also important not to miss the moment when is the TOK essay due for submission. So, if you need assistance with your TOK essay, we are always ready to help you.
Need help with your IB TOK essay?
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Our team helps students fix up their TOK essays and make sure they’re following the current IB rules. Hit us up if you’re stuck or just wanna double-check your draft before the deadline.
Thanks for the read. Maybe you can help to understand, how do I analyze my TOK essay before submission. I know it should follow the provided rubric, but what main points should I consider before submission?
Before you turn in your TOK essay, you should make sure that you have done the following:
1) Answered the question the essay is asking.
2) Organized your ideas in a clear way.
3) Used examples to support your points.
4) Used proper language, spelling and grammar.
5) Included information from reliable sources.
6) Used ideas from the class that you have learned.
7) Thought about other points of view and addressed them.
8) Summarized your main ideas in the end.
It’s also a good idea to have someone else read your essay and give you feedback before you turn it in.
Isn’t the IBO responsible for finally marking your TOK essay?
UPD 2025 –
Hi there,
The TOK essay is not graded by the student’s own teacher. It is assessed directly by IB examiners through external assessment. We’ve since updated the article and removed the earlier incorrect info to reflect how things currently work. Really appreciate your patience and your attention to detail — it helps us keep the content accurate for all students!
Old and FALSE comment:
The International Baccalaureate Organization does not mark the TOK essays themselves. Instead, the essays are assessed by the student’s own teacher (supervisor), who is trained and certified by the IBO to grade the TOK essays.
The teacher uses a specific set of assessment criteria and guidelines provided by the IBO to evaluate the student’s understanding and application of the TOK course material. The teacher then assigns a grade for the essay, which is sent to the IBO for moderation. Moderation is a process where the IBO checks the consistency of grading across different schools and teachers.
THIS IS INCORRECT. THE TOK ESSAY IS MARKED BY IB
Thanks for your message! You’re correct — the TOK essay is marked by the IB, not teachers at school. We’ve recently updated the article to make sure that part is clear and fully aligned with the current IB assessment system. Appreciate you flagging this!
TOK teacher here. This is not true. Every TOK essay is externally moderated by the IB. Actually much of the information contained in your website is not correct. While you do give good advice about writing the essay, your grading system is in no way connected to how the IB grades. Please attend an IB training and learn the system prior to making a website about it.
Thanks so much for your comment and for pointing this out. You’re absolutely right — the TOK essay is externally assessed by the IB, and we’ve updated the article to reflect the current grading system and assessment process to avoid any confusion for students. We really appreciate your input and are always working to keep our content accurate and helpful. Thanks again for taking the time to reach out!
Can you explain how I can get an A for my TOK essay in simple words?
If we sum up the article above, to get an A for your TOK essay, you should:
– Understand the essay requirements and choose a good topic.
– Use TOK concepts and theories to explore your topic.
– Write clearly and logically, with good grammar and punctuation.
– Develop a strong argument supported by evidence and examples.
– Reflect on your own biases and perspectives, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your knowledge.
– Show creativity and originality in your ideas.
Remember to follow the guidelines and demonstrate a deep understanding of TOK concepts. By doing so, you increase your chances of getting an A for your essay.
After sifting through the labyrinthine explanations on the IBO website, I was relieved to find a clear and concise guide right here. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hey Peter, we really appreciate your kind words. We will keep posting our future articles, trying to be as transparent as we were here.