IB TOK essay titles — November 2026 session
The six official IB TOK essay prescribed titles for the November 2026 session. Use Criterion's brainstorming AI to unpack each title, compare AOK choices and find real-world examples — then grade your draft against the official IB TOK markscheme.
The six prescribed titles
- Title 1 (History + one other AOK): Is the advice to “study the historian before you begin to study their work” (adapted from E.H. Carr) good advice? Explore with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.
- Title 2 (Two AOKs): To what extent do you agree that failure is an essential part of the production of knowledge? Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Title 3 (Human sciences + one other AOK): In the production of knowledge, why is it that ideas are so often more alluring than facts? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
- Title 4 (The arts + Natural sciences): To what extent do you agree that the artist and the natural scientist should be equally concerned with ethical questions? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.
- Title 5 (Two AOKs): Does the need to share knowledge pose challenges in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Title 6 (Mathematics + one other AOK): Given that it lacks evidence, how is it that intuition is so valuable in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
Frequently asked questions
- When are the May 2027 TOK essay titles released?
- The May 2027 prescribed titles have not yet been released by the IB. This page will be updated when they are.
- Can Criterion help me unpack these titles?
- Yes. Brainstorming mode is built for exactly this — pick a title and Criterion will argue it with you, suggest AOK combinations and pressure-test your examples.
- Will Criterion write my TOK essay?
- No. Criterion never writes or paraphrases. It helps you brainstorm, plan and grade your own essay.