The TOK essay and TOK exhibition are the two main assessments in the IB Theory of Knowledge course. While they are graded separately, the skills you use in one can strengthen the other. Many IB students overlook this connection, but linking your TOK May 2026 essay to the exhibition can make both assessments stronger and more coherent.
RevisionDojo helps students see the bigger TOK picture—showing how essay and exhibition complement each other.
Quick Start: Key Differences Between Essay and Exhibition
- TOK Essay: 1,200–1,600 words, based on one prescribed title.
- TOK Exhibition: A commentary (up to 950 words) on 3 objects connected to one IA prompt.
- Grading: Essay is externally assessed; exhibition is internally assessed.
- Overlap: Both require strong examples, clear analysis, and direct engagement with TOK concepts.
How the Exhibition Strengthens Your Essay
- Using Real-Life Examples
- Both require examples that connect abstract ideas to real-world cases.
- Practicing with exhibition objects improves your ability to find and analyze examples for the essay.
- Framing Knowledge Questions
- The exhibition asks you to link objects to IA prompts, which is practice for linking claims to prescribed titles in the essay.
- Balancing Personal and Shared Knowledge
- Exhibitions often draw on personal choices of objects, while the essay focuses on shared knowledge. Together, they show balance.
For balance tips, see our Personal vs. Shared Knowledge Guide.
How the Essay Strengthens Your Exhibition
- Structured Argumentation
- The essay trains you to write claims, counterclaims, and evaluations—skills that help structure exhibition commentaries.
- Connecting to TOK Themes
- Both tasks require engagement with themes like knowledge and language, knowledge and politics, and knowledge and technology.
- Developing a TOK Voice
- Writing a full essay helps refine your TOK vocabulary, making your exhibition commentary more precise.
For more structure support, see our Essay Planning Templates.
Shared Skills Between Essay and Exhibition
- Defining key TOK terms clearly.
- Applying examples to abstract knowledge questions.
- Considering multiple perspectives.
- Writing concisely and analytically.
Practical Tips for Linking Essay & Exhibition
- Choose exhibition objects related to the same AOKs or themes you use in your essay.
- Use the exhibition as a “practice space” for developing examples before expanding them in the essay.
- Reflect on the same TOK themes across both assessments to show consistency in your understanding.
For examiner grading insights, see our How Examiners Grade the Essay Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use the same examples in both my essay and exhibition?
Yes, but adapt them. In the essay, you’ll expand them across AOKs and counterclaims, while in the exhibition, you’ll tie them to objects and IA prompts.
2. Do examiners compare my essay and exhibition?
No. They are graded separately. However, linking them helps you build stronger skills and consistency.
3. Which assessment is more important?
The essay carries more weight toward your final TOK grade, but both matter. Strong performance in both shows mastery of TOK thinking.
Conclusion: Two Assessments, One Skillset
The TOK May 2026 essay and exhibition may seem separate, but they are two sides of the same coin. By linking them through shared examples, themes, and skills, you’ll strengthen your understanding and perform better in both.
RevisionDojo is here to help you master the essay, exhibition, and everything in between.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Want to prepare for both assessments at once? Explore our Ultimate TOK May 2026 Essay Guide and Planning Templates. RevisionDojo gives you a complete roadmap for TOK success.
Internal Links Used:
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/how-to-balance-personal-and-shared-knowledge-in-the-may-2026-tok-essay
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/tok-essay-planning-templates-for-may-2026-titles
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/how-examiners-grade-the-tok-may-2026-essay
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/revisiondojo-ultimate-tok-may-2026-essay-guide-mastering-all-6-prompts
