Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is a unique IB subject, due to its interdisciplinary nature that allows it to be both a Group 3 and Group 4 subject. When studying it as a Group 4 Science subject, it is quite different to other typical sciences, primarily in the way it is assessed. ESS doesn’t have multi-choice exams, but instead focuses on comprehension of concepts and case studies and application to real-world issues. Paper 1 for ESS is a prime example for this, as it is entirely based on response to case study resources provided in the exam and the application to different questions.
There are unfortunately not a huge number of resources available online for ESS, especially for the new syllabus, but after having taken ESS for a year, here is a guide on how to succeed in Paper 1 with the new 2026 syllabus.
New Syllabus
As of May 2026, the new syllabus for Environmental Systems and Societies will be examined in the DP final exams. Within the new syllabus, there are some major updates in regards to subject content. Make sure to fully read the new syllabus on the IB website as linked here: ESS Syllabus Document
What is ESS SL Paper 1?
For ESS SL, the Paper 1 exam lasts for 1 hour and is worth 35 marks. For SL, it is worth 25% of the overall ESS subject grade.
Paper 1 is made up of questions that are based on data in a variety of forms, relating to specific, previously unseen resource case studies. All questions are compulsory for this are centered on the evaluation and analysis of data and information.
Some of the questions are short answer synthesis and require data retrieval, and others are longer responses and require evaluation of multiple data pieces and environmental perspectives. The questions will be structured with inquiry words such as: outline, state, explain etc.
Advice for ESS Paper 1
- Look at the number of marks for each question. If a question is worth 3 marks, even if unspecified, make sure there are 3 things that an examiner could tick to mark. This can include separate points of information but also evaluation.
- Read and analyse the information provided in the resource booklet thoroughly. You can highlight or underline key information you think you may need for data analysis and interpretation, so don’t be afraid to annotate the resource booklet.
- If the data and case studies provided links to other case studies and concepts you’re familiar with, make note of it, as it’ll remind you of concepts and key processes that link to the questions in the exam. For example, you have looked at water pollution in Kenya, and the resource booklet has a case study on water pollution in Bangladesh e.g., think about the similarities in understanding and how your prior knowledge, such as on causes, could be applied.
- Ensure you identify the key environmental issues, key data and environmental stakeholders for each section of the resource booklet. Apply your knowledge from Topic 1 Perspectives especially to long answer questions, as you consider alternative viewpoints on environmental cases.
- Follow the command terms and show your understanding of the question through backing up your responses with data examples from the material.
- Manage your timing well as there is a lot of material to read and comprehend, so allocate the time you need for each question well. Generally use the marks each question is worth as an indicator for how much time to spend. For example, a 3 mark question should generally take you no more than 3 minutes etc.
Revision for ESS SL Paper 2
As the syllabus is new, this means that there are currently no new past papers available yet, but your subject teachers, textbooks and online IB sites (such as Save My Exams or Revision Dojo) all have lots of new syllabus style questions.
Suggestions on how to revise
- Most importantly for Paper 1, practise exam style questions as often as possible. Look at how you structure answers and apply data retrieval skills.
- When completing practice questions and exams, time yourself, and keep working to try and reduce your question response times.
- There are sometimes some questions that require some basic maths skills, so ensure through practice that you are definitely proficient in those skills, to avoid losing some easy marks.
- Revise different perspectives on environmental issues, as you will have learnt in Topic 1 of the ESS Syllabus. When approached with a case study, get into the practice of identifying anthropocentric, technocentric and ecocentric point of views, as well as the bottom line factors (social, economic and environmental – and sometimes political).
We hope this has explained ESS SL Paper 1 and that you can increase your exam confidence!
Good luck!