Overview
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a central component of the IB Diploma Programme, forming part of the DP Core alongside the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). At the heart of TOK are the students themselves — the knowers.
In TOK, students explore the nature of knowledge: how it is constructed, shaped, transmitted, and interpreted within and across knowledge communities. They consider the origins, strengths, and limitations of knowledge, and learn to question assumptions and think critically about the world around them.
TOK Exhibition
Assessment
TOK is assessed through two summative tasks:
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The Exhibition (worth 1/3 of the overall TOK grade), completed in DP1, where students select a prompt, choose three real-world objects, and explain how these objects illustrate their chosen theme.
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The Essay (worth 2/3 of the overall TOK grade), completed in DP2, where students choose from six prescribed titles and construct a well-supported argument, considering both a claim and a counterclaim, and connecting their discussion to personal experiences of knowing.
Both assessments challenge students to reflect on how they, as individuals and members of communities, acquire, evaluate, and apply knowledge — preparing them to be thoughtful, critical, and internationally minded thinkers.
