How to Turn a 5 into a 7 in IB Essays
The gap between a 5 and a 7 isn't knowledge — it's analysis depth. Here's how to break through.
The Upgraded PEEL Framework
- Point: Clear, arguable claim (not a topic sentence)
- Evidence: Specific, precise (not generic)
- Explanation: WHY it supports your claim, HOW it connects to the question
- Link + Counter: Connect to question AND acknowledge counterarguments
The Analysis Ladder
| Level | Grade | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 4-5 | "The government introduced a policy" |
| Explanation | 5-6 | "...because unemployment was rising" |
| Analysis | 6-7 | "...reflecting a Keynesian approach, limited by credit contraction" |
| Evaluation | 7 | "...illustrating limitations of demand-side interventions, supporting Friedman's critique" |
5 Quick Wins
- Start paragraphs with claims, not facts
- Use analytical language ("This suggests...", "This challenges...")
- Address the question wording in every paragraph
- Quality over quantity: 3 deep paragraphs > 6 shallow ones
- Name historians/theorists when possible