TOK Exhibition Examples — 3 Objects, 1 Prompt, 950 Words
The complete IB TOK Exhibition guide — worked examples, the 35 IA prompts framework, object selection rules and the 950-word commentary structure. Written by IB-certified examiners for the IBDP May 2026 assessment.
Led by SEV7N’s founder Shailey Valecha with 17+ years of IB teaching experience, alongside 182+ IB-certified examiners and counting — India’s largest online IB tutor forum.
The TOK Exhibition — where 3 objects meet 1 IA prompt.
What is the TOK Exhibition?
The TOK Exhibition is the internally assessed component of Theory of Knowledge in the IBDP. It is a curated showcase of three real-world objects, each chosen by the student to demonstrate how Theory of Knowledge manifests in everyday life.
Every TOK Exhibition is anchored to one of the 35 IA prompts prescribed by the IB. The IB TOK 2022 guide is clear: all three objects must be linked to the same IA prompt — and the connection must be specific, not generic.
For a top-band exhibition, students should base their objects on the core theme or one of the optional themes, weaving the IA prompt through every object’s real-world context.
Quick Facts
3 TOK Exhibition Object Samples
All three objects below are linked to IA Prompt 16 — “Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?” and the optional theme Knowledge and Technology. Notice how each object is specific, real-world, and ethically loaded.
The ethics of data collection and modelling
This object is an image of an article published on towardsdatascience.com. It is not a generic object — it sits in a specific real-world context tied to a particular time and place.
The article raises ethical questions about data sourcing and modelling, including the methods and tools adopted, while demonstrating the scope of data and technology — directly mapping to the Knowledge Framework.
Ethics, technology & cultural taboo
This object is an image of a news article published in The Times of India that examines the ethico-legal stance on the use of technology in personal contexts within India.
The article exemplifies how seeking knowledge about certain uses of technology is often left unattended, undiscussed, and culturally suppressed — a sharp test of whether some knowledge is actively avoided on ethical or cultural grounds.
The ethical dilemma of robot teachers
A curious case of an ethical dilemma about the use of robots as a technology to teach students, drawn from The ethical dilemma of robot teachers.
The knowledge in question: how far can robots actually replace humans? Can technology demonstrate the empathy, care and values a teacher delivers, while raising not only academic outcomes but every other developmental need a child has?
Notice carefully: all three objects link cleanly to Knowledge and Technology, an optional theme. Arguments are drawn on ethical grounds — every image is referenced and every connection earned, never forced.
All 35 IA Prompts for the TOK Exhibition
Click any IA prompt card to open a detailed guide with 5 worked object examples, rationales and examiner commentary — written by SEV7N’s panel of 182+ IB-certified examiners.
Get tutored by IB-verified examiners
There’s a massive difference between someone who teaches TOK and someone who actually marks IB exam scripts. SEV7N’s 182+ tutors are IB-certified examiners — led by founder Shailey Valecha with 17+ years of IB experience.
- 1:1 IA prompt selection — match your prompt to your 3 objects
- Rubric-based draft marking, line by line
- 950-word commentary optimisation before submission
- Recorded sessions on the SEV7N LMS — rewatch anytime
7 Rules for Picking TOK Exhibition Objects
From 17+ years of SEV7N’s IB TOK teaching experience — strategies that separate top-band exhibitions from average ones.
Refine objects for the IA prompt
Refine your choice of TOK exhibition objects against the IA prompt and your core or optional theme. Each object must clearly serve the prompt.
Avoid broad, generic connections
Broadly linking a regular object with an IA prompt is a complete NO-NO. Forced connections are the fastest way to lose marks.
Photos of objects are acceptable
A photograph of an object is fine. Anything can be an object — as long as you can convey a real-world context for it.
Objects don’t need to connect to each other
Through the lens of the IA prompt and theme, their relevance must emerge independently. Don’t manufacture an inter-object link.
Pick specific — not generic — objects
“Your grandfather’s 1998 Britannica” beats “an encyclopedia” every time. Specificity is what makes the justification land.
Choose objects of personal interest
An object you genuinely care about helps you frame a justification that is strong and contributes meaningfully to the exhibition.
Avoid generic objects entirely
The linking becomes unconvincing, and conveying your point of view to the examiner gets harder. Skip the obvious choices.
Reference every image properly
All three object images must be clearly and appropriately referenced. Citations protect your work and signal academic rigour.
TOK Exhibition — FAQs
What is the TOK Exhibition?
How many objects do I need for the TOK Exhibition?
What is the word limit for the TOK Exhibition commentary?
Is the TOK Exhibition individual or group work?
How much does the TOK Exhibition contribute to my final TOK grade?
Can a photograph count as a TOK Exhibition object?
Can SEV7N help me pick the right IA prompt and review my draft?
All 35 IA Prompts — Jump Links
Find your TOK exhibition IA prompt and open the full guide with 5 object examples.
Turn your TOK Exhibition into a top-band submission.
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How to structure your TOK Exhibition commentary
A single-file document containing 950 words of commentary, with images of all three objects and their specific real-world context. Each object’s inclusion against the IA prompt must be justified.
Object 1 — Justification
Roughly 300 words explaining the object, its real-world context, and how it answers the IA prompt — never in isolation.
Object 2 — Justification
Another 300 words for the second object. Avoid favouring one and skipping another — balanced involvement scores higher.
Object 3 — Justification
The final 300 words tying the third object to the IA prompt and theme — pros and cons of the question, drawn through evidence.