IB ESS · 2021 to 2026
Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation
127 past paper questions from 30 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.
SL archive · 2021 to 2026
Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation
Latest exam session: Specimen 2026
- questions
- 127
- questions
- papers
- 30
- papers
- exam sessions
- 10
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 13
Topics in Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
3.1
Biodiversity and evolution
29% of marks116 of the 399 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (29%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 35 questions
- DueBiodiversity and resilience
3.2
Human impact on biodiversity
25% of marks99 of the 399 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (25%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 42 questions
3.3
Conservation and regeneration
46% of marks184 of the 399 marks across the 31 ESS papers analysed (46%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 50 questions
- RisingEx situ conservation
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 13 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.1.3Natural selection | 2Natural selection , 2021: 2 questions | 6Natural selection , 2022: 6 questions | 3Natural selection , 2023: 3 questions | 3Natural selection , 2024: 3 questions | 3Natural selection , 2025: 3 questions | 1Natural selection , 2026: 1 question |
3.2.2IUCN Red List | ·IUCN Red List, 2021: 0 questions | 3IUCN Red List, 2022: 3 questions | 7IUCN Red List, 2023: 7 questions | 2IUCN Red List, 2024: 2 questions | 7IUCN Red List, 2025: 7 questions | 2IUCN Red List, 2026: 2 questions |
| 3Threats to biodiversity, 2021: 3 questions | 1Threats to biodiversity, 2022: 1 question | 5Threats to biodiversity, 2023: 5 questions | 9Threats to biodiversity, 2024: 9 questions | 3Threats to biodiversity, 2025: 3 questions | ·Threats to biodiversity, 2026: 0 questions | |
| 2Conservation strategies, 2021: 2 questions | 2Conservation strategies, 2022: 2 questions | 1Conservation strategies, 2023: 1 question | 7Conservation strategies, 2024: 7 questions | 1Conservation strategies, 2025: 1 question | 1Conservation strategies, 2026: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueBiodiversity and resilience· last Nov 24 P2 TZ2
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2026
3 questions across 2 papers
May 2025
10 questions across 6 papers
November 2024
10 questions across 4 papers
May 2024
12 questions across 4 papers
November 2023
3 questions across 3 papers
May 2023
6 questions across 4 papers
November 2022
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2022
6 questions across 2 papers
November 2021
4 questions across 1 paper
May 2021
5 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which ESS exam sessions are covered for Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation?
10 exam sessions from 2021 to 2026, the latest Specimen 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 30 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation topic comes up most?
Natural selection (3.1.3): in 45% of papers, last seen Spec 26 P1. Usually "outline", worth about 4.6 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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