Introduction
The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the most challenging parts of the IB Diploma Programme. For IB Design Technology (DT) — with first exams in 2027 — it’s a brand-new opportunity for students to showcase creativity and critical analysis through research.
But writing a DT EE isn’t easy. Many students lose marks not because they lack ideas, but because they fall into avoidable traps. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common pitfalls in the IB Design Technology EE and how to avoid them. For structured support, RevisionDojo’s IB Design Technology hub already includes EE guidance tailored to the 2027 syllabus.
Pitfall 1: Choosing an Overly Broad Question
- The problem: Students sometimes select vague or massive questions like “How can design help fight climate change?”
- The fix: Narrow it down to a manageable scope, e.g., “To what extent can biodegradable packaging replace single-use plastics in fast food?”
Pitfall 2: Lack of Primary Research
- The problem: Some essays rely only on secondary sources, making them descriptive rather than analytical.
- The fix: Incorporate surveys, interviews, product testing, or small-scale prototyping to strengthen your essay.
Pitfall 3: Being Too Descriptive
- The problem: Simply summarizing information from textbooks or articles doesn’t demonstrate critical thinking.
- The fix: Analyze and evaluate data. Always ask: What does this mean for my research question?
