What counts as knowledge?
TOK Exhibition Prompt 1 — Object Examples & Rationale
A complete, examiner-written breakdown of IB TOK Exhibition IA Prompt 1 — five worked object examples, linked optional themes, knowledge questions and top-band commentary to help you nail the TOK exhibition for IB DP May 2026.
The Prompt
“What counts as knowledge?” — Prompt 1 of the 35 prescribed IA prompts.
Assessment Weight
TOK exhibition = one-third of your final TOK grade.
Word Count
950 words max across all 3 objects combined (plus references).
Session
Updated & mapped for TOK assessment.
Decoding Prompt 1 – “What counts as knowledge?”
IB TOK Exhibition Prompt 1 sits at the heart of the Theory of Knowledge course because it asks the most foundational knowledge question of all: what actually qualifies as knowledge? The prompt pushes you beyond simple definitions and invites you to examine the criteria, processes and authorities that convert a piece of information, belief, or observation into something we accept as “known”. For a strong exhibition, each of your three objects must reveal a different angle on this — whether through language, technology, indigenous practice, scientific method, or cultural authority.
A top-scoring IB TOK exhibition on Prompt 1 does three things well: it links each object to a specific real-world context, it justifies why that object illustrates the prompt through a clear knowledge claim, and it connects back to an optional theme or area of knowledge.
TOK Exhibition Objects for Prompt 1
Each example below includes the object, linked optional theme, examiner-written rationale, and a knowledge question to extend your analysis.
Encyclopedia Britannica Set
The Encyclopedia Britannica set, a compendium of human knowledge across a vast array of subjects, encapsulates the essence of what counts as knowledge within the realm of language and documentation. This comprehensive collection represents a curated synthesis of information and insights deemed significant and reliable enough to be documented for posterity. It underscores the role of language as a medium for codifying and transmitting knowledge, reflecting the collective endeavour to distil and organise human understanding into accessible formats. The criteria for inclusion — accuracy, comprehensiveness, and authority — mirror the broader standards against which knowledge is measured. This object invites reflection on how the processes of selection, verification, and presentation in language shape our conception of what is worthy of being known, highlighting the intersection between linguistic expression and the validation of knowledge.
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- Ready-to-submit commentary within 950-word limit
score 8+ on TOK exhibition
Rosetta Stone Replica
A replica of the Rosetta Stone serves as a symbolic artefact demonstrating the pivotal role of language in unlocking historical knowledge. The stone, inscribed with a decree in three scripts, became the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, thus opening a gateway to understanding ancient Egyptian civilisation. This object exemplifies how knowledge is not only contingent upon discovery but also upon the interpretation and translation of information across linguistic barriers. The Rosetta Stone underscores the significance of language as both a barrier and a bridge in the acquisition of knowledge, illustrating how the capacity to comprehend and communicate across different linguistic systems can transform inscrutable symbols into accessible knowledge.
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Quantum Computing Processor
The quantum computing processor represents a frontier in the evolution of knowledge within the field of technology, embodying the potential to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers. This object highlights the ongoing expansion of what counts as knowledge through technological innovation, where quantum mechanics principles enable the processing of information in fundamentally new ways. The development and application of quantum computing technology challenges existing boundaries of computational knowledge, promising advancements in fields ranging from cryptography to drug discovery. It invites contemplation on how technological progress not only extends the scope of human inquiry but also reshapes our understanding of knowledge itself, by offering new tools and paradigms for exploring complex phenomena.
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2 More Objects for Prompt 1
Two additional examiner-written object examples to help you finalise your TOK exhibition selection.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Device
The GPS device, a ubiquitous tool in navigation, epitomises how technology mediates and enhances our spatial knowledge of the world. By utilising a network of satellites to provide precise location data, GPS technology transforms abstract geographical information into actionable knowledge, enabling users to navigate the physical environment with unprecedented accuracy. This object illustrates the instrumental role of technological artefacts in extending human capacities to acquire and apply knowledge, demonstrating how technology not only aids in the practical application of knowledge but also influences its conceptualisation.
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A Traditional Herbal Medicine Guide
A traditional herbal medicine guide, compiled through generations of indigenous knowledge, represents a confluence of cultural practices, empirical observations, and environmental understanding. This object exemplifies how knowledge is constructed, validated, and transmitted within specific cultural contexts, reflecting a holistic approach to health that integrates botanical knowledge with spiritual and community well-being. It challenges the conventional demarcations of what counts as knowledge by foregrounding the value of experiential, communal, and environmental wisdom. The guide underscores the diversity of knowledge systems and the importance of recognising and integrating indigenous perspectives into broader conceptions of health and medicine.
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Knowledge Questions for Prompt 1
Use these knowledge questions to strengthen the analytical depth of your exhibition commentary.
How do we decide which sources of information deserve the status of “knowledge”?
Is knowledge something we discover, or something we construct through language and consensus?
To what extent do technology and tools expand or constrain what can count as knowledge?
Can lived or indigenous experience be treated as epistemically equal to empirical scientific method?
Who holds the authority to decide what “counts” — scholars, institutions, communities, or individuals?
Does knowledge require justification, truth, and belief — or can one of these be relaxed?
How to Score High on Prompt 1
Three strategies our IB examiners use when coaching students through the TOK exhibition.
Pick objects with a real-world context
Your object must be specific — “my grandfather’s 1998 copy of the Britannica” beats a generic encyclopedia every time. Examiners reward specificity.
Anchor to one optional theme per object
Don’t float between themes. Each object should clearly link to one optional theme or area of knowledge and stay consistent throughout.
Justify — don’t just describe
The top markband (9–10) is reached only when the commentary explains why the object illustrates the prompt, not just that it does.
TOK Exhibition Prompt 1 — FAQs
What is TOK Exhibition Prompt 1?
How many objects do I need to present for Prompt 1?
Which optional themes work best with this prompt?
What is the word limit for the TOK exhibition commentary?
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