IB past paper analysis

ESS
November 2020 · Paper 2

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  • 7questions
  • 83marks
  • 22question parts
  • 19micro-topics

Mark distribution

  • Foundations of ESS21%
  • Human Population and Urban Systems21%
  • Water18%
  • Ecology13%
  • Atmosphere and Climate Change11%
  • Land8%
  • Natural Resources5%
  • Biodiversity and Conservation4%

Hardest areas (by marks)

  1. 1.Impacts on human systems9 marks
  2. 2.Technocentric, anthropocentric and ecocentric9 marks
  3. 3.Productivity7 marks

Question types

outline: 27%identify: 14%find / solve: 14%write down / state: 9%0%
  • outline27%
  • identify14%
  • find / solve14%
  • write down / state9%

0% of parts are show / prove.

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Questions in this paper

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Explore topic pages

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Predicted questions

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Good to know

Can I download ESS November 2020 Paper 2 here?

No. The paper and its mark scheme belong to the IB and are not reproduced. This page gives the structure of every question (marks, command term, micro-topic, the skill tested), the exam analysis, and practice questions we wrote to test the same skills. Subscribers can also open our summary of how each part's marks are awarded.

Which topics dominate November 2020 Paper 2?

Foundations of ESS 21% (typical 16%), Human Population and Urban Systems 21% (typical 10%), Water 18% (typical 12%).

How do I practise this paper without the paper?

Press "Practise similar" on any question. We open questions matched by micro-topic, command term and mark range with model answers and AI marking, then bring you back here.