Evaluation questions are the highest-demand questions in IB ESS. They require more than knowledge — you need to make judgements, weigh evidence, and present balanced arguments.
Many students describe when they should evaluate, which is the most common reason for losing marks on these questions.
What evaluation means in ESS
To evaluate means to assess the strengths and weaknesses of something and reach a supported conclusion. In ESS, this often involves:
- Assessing whether a management strategy is effective
- Weighing the environmental costs and benefits of a policy
- Judging the significance of an environmental impact
The evaluation structure
Follow this framework for strong evaluation answers:
- Strengths / Arguments for: Present 2-3 developed points with evidence
- Limitations / Arguments against: Present 2-3 counterpoints
- Conclusion: State your judgement and explain why one side outweighs the other
Practise writing evaluations and receive detailed feedback on your technique with our Past Paper Feedback tool.
Example evaluation
Question: Evaluate the effectiveness of recycling as a waste management strategy. [9]
Strengths: Recycling reduces the volume of waste sent to landfill, conserves raw materials, and reduces energy consumption compared to extracting new resources.
Limitations: Not all materials can be recycled economically. Contamination of recyclable materials reduces effectiveness. In many countries, recycling infrastructure is insufficient.
Conclusion: While recycling is a valuable component of waste management, it is most effective when combined with reduction and reuse strategies. On its own, recycling cannot solve the waste crisis.
Common mistakes
- Only presenting one side: You must include both strengths and limitations
- No conclusion: The conclusion is essential for top marks
- Vague evaluation: Use specific evidence and examples, not general statements
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