At a glance
- Objects
- Three, all linked to the same prompt
- Prompts
- One of 35 set by the IB
- Commentary
- Up to 950 words, references excluded
- Marks
- 10, teacher-marked and IB-moderated
- Share of TOK
- About one third
The exhibition at a glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prompt | One of the 35 IA prompts, used for all three objects, and stated as the exhibition's title |
| Objects | Three specific objects or images of objects, each with a real-world context |
| Commentary | For each object: what it is, its context, and a justified link to the prompt; up to 950 words in total |
| Theme | Built on the core theme (knowledge and the knower) or one optional theme, not on the areas of knowledge |
| Assessment | Marked holistically out of 10 by the teacher; a sample is moderated by the IB |
What examiners look for
The exhibition is judged on how convincingly it shows TOK at work in the real world. The strongest exhibitions choose objects that are specific (this photograph, this app, this map, this letter) rather than general (photography, technology, maps), place each one in its real-world context, and explain precisely how it raises or answers the prompt. Each object should add something different to the exhibition, so the three together give a fuller response to the prompt than any one alone.
The commentary is where the marks are earned. Every claim about an object should be supported with evidence or reasons, ideally with references, and should stay tied to the exact wording of the prompt. A beautifully chosen object with a vague link scores lower than an ordinary object with a precise, well-argued link.
Weak and strong object links: a worked comparison
Prompt: "On what grounds might we doubt a claim?" The objects below are invented to illustrate the difference; choose your own real objects.
| Object | Weak link | Strong link |
|---|---|---|
| A screenshot of a viral social media post about a health cure, with its share count | "People should doubt things online because the internet has fake news." | Names the post, its date and reach; explains that doubt here is grounded in the source's lack of expertise and missing evidence, and contrasts the large share count with the absence of any study |
| A family's old paper map of a Gulf city, now out of date | "Maps can be wrong, so we should doubt them." | Explains when and by whom it was made, shows a road that no longer exists, and argues that doubt is grounded in time: a claim reliable when made can become unreliable as the world changes |
| A school science practical result that disagreed with the textbook value | "Experiments can have errors." | Gives the measured and expected values, explains the uncertainty, and asks whether doubt should fall on the method, the instrument or the textbook, and on what grounds we choose |
The strong versions name the specific object, give its context, and explain the particular grounds for doubt each object illustrates. Note that the three objects show three different grounds: authority and evidence, time, and method.
A process that works
- Read all 35 prompts and shortlist three or four that interest you.
- For each shortlisted prompt, brainstorm objects from your own life, subjects, family, community and the news. Specific, personal objects often give the best contexts.
- Choose the prompt for which you have three strong objects that show different aspects of it.
- Draft the commentary in three sections of about 300 words each, one per object: identify the object, give its context, then argue its link to the prompt.
- Cut description and keep argument. Check that each link uses the words of the prompt.
- Add references for any facts or sources you rely on, and include clear images of each object.
Common mistakes
- Generic objects such as "a phone" or "social media" instead of one specific item.
- Three objects that make the same point, so the exhibition does not develop.
- Changing or paraphrasing the prompt. Use it exactly as the IB wrote it.
- Spending most of the words describing the object rather than justifying the link.
- Choosing the prompt first and forcing weak objects to fit it.
How one-to-one lessons help with the exhibition
A tutor who teaches TOK helps the student read the prompts properly, talk through candidate objects, and test each link with the question "what exactly does this object show about the prompt, and could someone disagree?" That discussion is usually what turns a vague link into a specific one. The tutor can also explain how the exhibition is marked and what distinguishes a strong commentary.
The exhibition is assessed as the student's own work. A tutor gives feedback on ideas and planning, not text to copy, and students should tell their TOK teacher about any outside help.
Common questions
Can I use a photograph instead of a real object?
Yes. Objects can be presented as images, and many exhibitions use photographs of objects. What matters is that each object is specific and has a real-world context.
Do all three objects need the same prompt?
Yes. You choose one prompt and all three objects must link to it. The aim is three different perspectives on the same prompt.
Do the objects have to be from areas of knowledge?
No. The exhibition is based on the core theme or an optional theme. Objects can come from anywhere in your life, as long as the link to the prompt is specific and justified.
Does the exhibition count for much?
It is about one third of the TOK grade, and TOK and the Extended Essay together earn up to 3 Diploma points. A strong exhibition also takes pressure off the essay in DP2.
How much do TOK lessons cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.