Introduction to TOK

Theory of Knowledge (or TOK) is one of the core subjects within the IB curriculum that every student has to take. With the Extended Essay (or EE), you will get a letter grade A to E and following the matrix below, this will contribute up to 3 bonus marks to your final IB score.

So what is TOK?

While TOK is often confused with philosophy, a distinction between them needs to be made. TOK focuses on a specific aspect of philosophy: epistemology. The main question behind this subject is “How do we know?”. It implores students to reflect on what knowledge is and the process of knowing.

The purpose of the subject is to get students to think critically and learn to hold a myriad of perspectives. Through the assessments, students will also need to learn how to communicate clear and coherent arguments.

The curriculum is made up of 3 parts. Do not think of them as separate entities, but rather understand that they are all interconnected. The core theme is knowledge and the knower where students will reflect on themselves as knowers and thinkers and also see the different communities of knowers they belong to. The second portion is where students will learn 2 of the 5 optional  themes:

  • Knowledge and technology

  • Knowledge and language 

  • Knowledge and politics 

  • Knowledge and religion 

  • Knowledge and indigenous societies

These optional themes will let students explore the real-world relevance of TOK. Finally, the last portion is the 5 areas of knowledge:

  • History 

  • The human sciences 

  • The natural sciences 

  • The arts 

  • Mathematics

These 5 areas serve as the structure for how most of academic knowledge is organised and students will learn what makes each of these areas distinct when it comes to knowledge.

How is TOK assessed?

There are 2 components to the TOK assessment

  1. TOK exhibition (33%)

Students will need to curate an exhibition comprising a set of 3 objects with accompanying commentaries to explore the manifestation of TOK in the world

2. TOK essay (67%)

IBO will release 6 prescribed titles and students will need to choose one to write a 1,600-word essay on.

For the essay, students should:

  • Explain their arguments clearly, with the aid of real-world examples, and link them to the relevant areas of knowledge

  • Hold multiple perspectives and be able to see limitations even in their own arguments

  • Be able to explore the implications of their arguments