IB ESS · 2021 to 2026

2.3 Biogeochemical cycles

19 past paper questions from 9 papers across 4 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2023 to 2026

2.3 Biogeochemical cycles

Latest exam session: Specimen 2026

questions
19
questions
papers
9
papers
exam sessions
4
exam sessions
micro-topics
3

Micro-topics in 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 16

    2.3.1

    Hydrological cycle

    7 questions · in 16% of papersAppears in 5 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (16%), at least once each.

    Regular

    last May 25 P2 TZ3

  • 10

    2.3.2

    Nitrogen cycle

    3 questions · in 10% of papersAppears in 3 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (10%), at least once each.

    Rising

    last Spec 26 P2

  • 10

    2.3.3

    The carbon cycle

    9 questions · in 10% of papersAppears in 3 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (10%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last May 25 P2 TZ1

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic202120222023202420252026
2.3.2Nitrogen cycleRising · last Spec 26 P2
·Nitrogen cycle, 2021: 0 questions·Nitrogen cycle, 2022: 0 questions·Nitrogen cycle, 2023: 0 questions1Nitrogen cycle, 2024: 1 question1Nitrogen cycle, 2025: 1 question1Nitrogen cycle, 2026: 1 question
2.3.1Hydrological cycleRegular
·Hydrological cycle, 2021: 0 questions·Hydrological cycle, 2022: 0 questions1Hydrological cycle, 2023: 1 question5Hydrological cycle, 2024: 5 questions1Hydrological cycle, 2025: 1 question·Hydrological cycle, 2026: 0 questions
2.3.3The carbon cycleOccasional
·The carbon cycle, 2021: 0 questions·The carbon cycle, 2022: 0 questions·The carbon cycle, 2023: 0 questions8The carbon cycle, 2024: 8 questions1The carbon cycle, 2025: 1 question·The carbon cycle, 2026: 0 questions
  • Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
  • Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten

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Questions on 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles, by exam session

Which papers asked about 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which ESS exam sessions are covered for 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles?

10 exam sessions from 2023 to 2026, the latest Specimen 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 9 papers in this archive.

Which 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles topic comes up most?

Nitrogen cycle (2.3.2): in 10% of papers, last seen Spec 26 P2. Usually "outline", worth about 3.3 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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