Many IB students treat the conclusion as a summary section, assuming that restating findings is enough to score well. In reality, the conclusion plays a strategic role in both the Internal Assessment and the Extended Essay. A strong conclusion does far more than recap results—it demonstrates control, clarity, and academic judgment.
IB examiners use the conclusion to assess how well you understand your own investigation. This means showing that you can interpret results rather than just report them. A high-scoring conclusion clearly answers the research question and explains what the findings mean in context. Simply repeating results without interpretation limits the marks that can be awarded.
One key function of a strong conclusion is focus. Examiners want to see a clear, direct response to the research question. If the conclusion feels vague or overly cautious, it suggests uncertainty in the investigation. Strong conclusions are confident but justified, making claims that are supported by evidence already presented in the IA or EE.
Another important role of the conclusion is synthesis. High-quality conclusions bring together different strands of the investigation—data, analysis, and reasoning—into a coherent final insight. This shows examiners that the student understands how each part of the work fits together. Fragmented conclusions that jump between ideas without connection often lose marks.
Many students weaken their conclusion by introducing new information. This is a common mistake. New data, examples, or arguments belong in the body of the investigation, not the conclusion. Introducing new material at the end confuses examiners and suggests poor planning or weak structure.
Tone also matters. Conclusions should not undermine the investigation by being overly apologetic or uncertain. Phrases like “this might suggest” or “the results were not very reliable” without explanation can cap marks. While conclusions should be cautious where necessary, they should still clearly state what can reasonably be concluded from the evidence.
For the Extended Essay, the conclusion also signals readiness for university-level work. Examiners look for evidence of independent thinking and mature academic voice. A well-crafted conclusion shows that the student can draw meaningful insights from extended research rather than simply compiling information.
The RevisionDojo Coursework Guide explains how to structure conclusions so they answer the research question clearly, reinforce analysis, and strengthen the overall investigation. When students understand what a conclusion is meant to do, their final section becomes a strength rather than a missed opportunity.
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