IB ESS · 2021 to 2026

4.2 Water access, use and security

30 past paper questions from 15 papers across 9 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2021 to 2025

4.2 Water access, use and security

Latest exam session: May 2025

questions
30
questions
papers
15
papers
exam sessions
9
exam sessions
micro-topics
5

Micro-topics in 4.2 Water access, use and security

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

  • 6

    4.2.1

    Freshwater availability and distribution

    2 questions · in 6% of papersAppears in 2 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (6%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last Nov 24 P1 TZ2

  • 19

    4.2.2

    Water use by sector

    7 questions · in 19% of papersAppears in 6 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (19%), at least once each.

    Due

    last Nov 24 P1 TZ1

  • 16

    4.2.3

    Water scarcity and security

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

    Due

    last May 24 P1 TZ2

  • 32

    4.2.4

    Water management strategies

    12 questions · in 32% of papersAppears in 10 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (32%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ3

  • 10

    4.2.5

    Water conflicts and cooperation

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

    Occasional

    last Nov 24 P2 TZ2

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 5 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.

fewermore

Micro-topic202120222023202420252026
4.2.4Water management strategiesFrequently tested
1Water management strategies, 2021: 1 question2Water management strategies, 2022: 2 questions4Water management strategies, 2023: 4 questions2Water management strategies, 2024: 2 questions3Water management strategies, 2025: 3 questions·Water management strategies, 2026: 0 questions
4.2.2Water use by sectorDue · last Nov 24 P1 TZ1
1Water use by sector, 2021: 1 question2Water use by sector, 2022: 2 questions1Water use by sector, 2023: 1 question3Water use by sector, 2024: 3 questions·Water use by sector, 2025: 0 questions·Water use by sector, 2026: 0 questions
4.2.3Water scarcity and securityDue · last May 24 P1 TZ2
2Water scarcity and security, 2021: 2 questions2Water scarcity and security, 2022: 2 questions·Water scarcity and security, 2023: 0 questions2Water scarcity and security, 2024: 2 questions·Water scarcity and security, 2025: 0 questions·Water scarcity and security, 2026: 0 questions
4.2.5Water conflicts and cooperationOccasional
·Water conflicts and cooperation, 2021: 0 questions·Water conflicts and cooperation, 2022: 0 questions1Water conflicts and cooperation, 2023: 1 question2Water conflicts and cooperation, 2024: 2 questions·Water conflicts and cooperation, 2025: 0 questions·Water conflicts and cooperation, 2026: 0 questions

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  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten

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Questions on 4.2 Water access, use and security, by exam session

Which papers asked about 4.2 Water access, use and security, 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 4.2 Water access, use and security?

10 exam sessions from 2021 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 15 papers in this archive.

Which 4.2 Water access, use and security topic comes up most?

Water management strategies (4.2.4): in 32% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "evaluate", worth about 5.1 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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