IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK): the essay, exhibition and how it is assessed
What is IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK)? How the TOK essay and exhibition work, the assessment criteria, the 3 bonus points with the Extended Essay, and how to move up the marking bands.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is one of the three core components of the IB Diploma Programme. It asks a single deceptively hard question — how do we know what we claim to know? — and assesses it through two tasks: the TOK exhibition and the TOK essay. Together with the Extended Essay, TOK contributes up to 3 bonus points toward the diploma total. This guide explains both tasks, the assessment criteria and how to move up the bands. See IB TOK tutoring for one-to-one support.
What TOK actually assesses
TOK is not a content subject; it is a course in analysing knowledge itself. Students examine how knowledge is produced and justified across areas of knowledge (the natural sciences, human sciences, history, the arts, mathematics) using a framework of concepts such as evidence, perspective, certainty and interpretation. The skill being marked is the quality of your analysis of knowledge claims — not how much you know.
The TOK exhibition
The exhibition (internally assessed) asks students to choose one of 35 IA prompts and present three real-world objects that show how TOK manifests in the world. Each object is justified in a short commentary (about 950 words total) explaining what it reveals about knowledge. The marking rewards a clear link between each object, the chosen prompt and a specific point about knowledge.
The TOK essay
The essay (externally assessed, up to 1,600 words) responds to one of six prescribed titles released by the IB each session. A strong essay compares how a knowledge question plays out across two areas of knowledge, using concrete real-world examples and considering opposing perspectives. The most common weakness is describing examples instead of using them to make an argument about knowledge.
How TOK is scored and the bonus matrix
The essay and exhibition combine into a single TOK grade (A-E). That grade is placed in a matrix with the Extended Essay grade to award 0-3 bonus points. An E in TOK is a failing condition for the whole diploma, so even students focused on their six subjects cannot ignore it. For the full points picture see how IB diploma scoring works.
Moving up the bands
- Ask a knowledge question, not a topic question: "To what extent is certainty different in mathematics and history?" beats "Is history reliable?".
- Argue with examples, don't list them: each example must do analytical work, showing a specific point about how knowledge is justified.
- Build in counter-perspectives: top-band essays evaluate the opposing view rather than mentioning it.
- Keep the two areas of knowledge in genuine tension: the comparison is where marks are earned.