The Easiest Subjects to Write Your IB Extended Essay In (2025 Data)
Your Extended Essay subject is one of the biggest choices you make in the IB. So we ranked every subject area by how many students actually score an A, using the May 2025 results (100,907 essays). Here is what the data shows.
The EE in numbers, May 2025
100,907 essays submitted · 11.2% awarded an A · 39.5% got an A or B · Graded A to E
Source: IB Diploma Programme Statistical Bulletin, May 2025 (final).
Which subject is easiest to get an A in?
The Arts (14.5%) and Language & Literature subjects like English A (14.3%) have the highest A-rates, followed by Language Acquisition (13.2%). The Sciences are the hardest place to land an A, at just 8.9%.
| EE subject area | % awarded an A |
|---|---|
| The Arts | 14.5% |
| Language & Literature (e.g. English A) | 14.3% |
| Language Acquisition (e.g. English B) | 13.2% |
| Mathematics | 11.3% |
| Interdisciplinary (e.g. World Studies) | 10.6% |
| Individuals & Societies (e.g. History) | 9.9% |
| Sciences (e.g. Biology) | 8.9% |
But is the highest A-rate actually the safest choice?
Not quite. The Arts also produces the most low grades: 23.7% of arts essays scored a D and 1.5% scored an E. If you count top grades (A or B together), Mathematics (46.8%) and Language & Literature (42.2%) are the most reliable, while the Arts drops to the bottom. In other words, the Arts is high-reward but high-risk.
| EE subject area | % awarded A or B |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 46.8% |
| Language & Literature | 42.2% |
| Sciences | 41.0% |
| Individuals & Societies | 37.9% |
| Interdisciplinary | 37.1% |
| Language Acquisition | 36.8% |
| The Arts | 36.2% |
Why do some subjects score higher than others?
Essay-based subjects reward what the EE is built to test: a clear argument, good sources, and strong writing. Science essays are different. They hinge on a well-designed experiment and clean data, and if the investigation has a flaw, the marks are hard to recover. Subject choice also reflects who opts in, which nudges the averages.
Where do English, History and Biology sit?
English A falls under Language & Literature, one of the strongest areas for an A. History and Economics sit in Individuals & Societies, slightly below the global average. Biology and Physics sit in the Sciences, the lowest area for A-rates but solid for an A or B if the experiment is tight.
Writing a science EE?
Science essays are the hardest place to score an A, almost always because of the experiment. Our 1:1 mentors have scored top marks and can pressure-test your research question before you commit.
Get EE mentoringSo which subject should you write your EE in?
Pick a subject you take at Higher Level, are genuinely good at, and actually find interesting. You will spend months on this essay, and motivation matters more than a percentage point. Use the data as a tiebreaker between two subjects you like, not as the deciding factor.
A well-chosen, well-supported EE beats a "soft option" you do not care about every time.
How is the EE graded and how much is it worth?
The EE is graded A to E. It combines with your Theory of Knowledge grade in a points matrix worth up to 3 bonus points toward your 45. Important: scoring an E in either the EE or TOK is a failing condition for the whole diploma, so the goal is never just "pass," it is a safe C or higher.
Data source: International Baccalaureate, Diploma Programme Statistical Bulletin, May 2025 (final). Figures are EE grade distributions by subject group. Last updated May 2026.