IB ESS · 2021 to 2026
ESS Paper 2
357 past paper questions from 17 papers across 10 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
By paper:Paper 1Paper 2All papers
SL archive · 2021 to 2026
Paper 2
Latest exam session: Specimen 2026
- questions
- 357
- questions
- papers
- 17
- papers
- exam sessions
- 10
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 72
Where Paper 2 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Foundations of ESS
22% of marks342 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (22%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 63 questions
- DueFootprints
Unit 2
Ecology
24% of marks374 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (24%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 98 questions
- DueLaws of thermodynamics
- DueSustainability & Resilience
Unit 3
Biodiversity and Conservation
17% of marks262 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (17%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 58 questions
- DueNatural selection
- DueBiodiversity and resilience
Unit 4
Water
22% of marks338 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (22%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 85 questions
- DueTypes and sources of water pollution
- DueWater pollution management
Unit 5
Land
13% of marks195 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 41 questions
- DueSoil formation and composition
- DueSoil and productivity
Unit 6
Atmosphere and Climate Change
1% of marks14 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
Unit 7
Natural Resources
1% of marks8 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
Unit 8
Human Population and Urban Systems
1% of marks10 of the 1543 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 72 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Identification of Organisms, 2021: 3 questions | 1 Identification of Organisms, 2022: 1 question | 3 Identification of Organisms, 2023: 3 questions | 2 Identification of Organisms, 2024: 2 questions | 3 Identification of Organisms, 2025: 3 questions | 1 Identification of Organisms, 2026: 1 question | |
1.1.3EVS | 2EVS, 2021: 2 questions | 3EVS, 2022: 3 questions | 6EVS, 2023: 6 questions | 2EVS, 2024: 2 questions | 3EVS, 2025: 3 questions | ·EVS, 2026: 0 questions |
| 1Water management strategies, 2021: 1 question | 2Water management strategies, 2022: 2 questions | ·Water management strategies, 2023: 0 questions | ·Water management strategies, 2024: 0 questions | 3Water management strategies, 2025: 3 questions | ·Water management strategies, 2026: 0 questions | |
| ·Aquaculture, 2021: 0 questions | ·Aquaculture, 2022: 0 questions | 1Aquaculture, 2023: 1 question | ·Aquaculture, 2024: 0 questions | 14Aquaculture, 2025: 14 questions | ·Aquaculture, 2026: 0 questions |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueNatural selection · last Nov 24 P2 TZ1
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Paper 2, by exam session
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which ESS exam sessions are covered for Paper 2?
10 exam sessions from 2021 to 2026, the latest Specimen 2026. Every Paper 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 17 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 2 topic comes up most?
Identification of Organisms (2.1.2): in 39% of papers, last seen Spec 26 P2. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 5.8 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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Every question, by paper
What each ESS paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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Predicted questions
The question types most likely in the next ESS sitting, built from this same archive.
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Every formula you are given in the exam, with when to use it and the traps around it.
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