IB ESS · 2021 to 2026

5.1 Soil systems

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SL archive · 2021 to 2026

5.1 Soil systems

Latest exam session: Specimen 2026

questions
22
questions
papers
18
papers
exam sessions
9
exam sessions
micro-topics
5

Micro-topics in 5.1 Soil systems

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

  • 19

    5.1.1

    Soil formation and composition

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

    Due

    last Nov 24 P2 TZ2

  • 3

    5.1.2

    Soil properties

    1 question · in 3% of papersAppears in 1 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (3%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last Spec 26 P2

  • 3

    5.1.3

    Soil profiles and horizons

    1 question · in 3% of papersAppears in 1 of the 31 ESS papers analysed (3%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last Spec 26 P1

  • 19

    5.1.4

    Soil and productivity

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

    Due

    last Nov 24 P2 TZ2

  • 19

    5.1.5

    Soil degradation

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

    Regular

    last May 25 P1 TZ3

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
5.1.5Soil degradationRegular
·Soil degradation, 2021: 0 questions1Soil degradation, 2022: 1 question2Soil degradation, 2023: 2 questions2Soil degradation, 2024: 2 questions3Soil degradation, 2025: 3 questions·Soil degradation, 2026: 0 questions
5.1.1Soil formation and compositionDue · last Nov 24 P2 TZ2
·Soil formation and composition, 2021: 0 questions1Soil formation and composition, 2022: 1 question1Soil formation and composition, 2023: 1 question4Soil formation and composition, 2024: 4 questions·Soil formation and composition, 2025: 0 questions·Soil formation and composition, 2026: 0 questions
5.1.4Soil and productivityDue · last Nov 24 P2 TZ2
1Soil and productivity, 2021: 1 question1Soil and productivity, 2022: 1 question2Soil and productivity, 2023: 2 questions2Soil and productivity, 2024: 2 questions·Soil and productivity, 2025: 0 questions·Soil and productivity, 2026: 0 questions
5.1.3Soil profiles and horizonsLess common
·Soil profiles and horizons, 2021: 0 questions·Soil profiles and horizons, 2022: 0 questions·Soil profiles and horizons, 2023: 0 questions·Soil profiles and horizons, 2024: 0 questions·Soil profiles and horizons, 2025: 0 questions1Soil profiles and horizons, 2026: 1 question

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  • Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
  • Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 5.1 Soil systems, by exam session

Which papers asked about 5.1 Soil systems, 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 5.1 Soil systems?

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 18 papers in this archive.

Which 5.1 Soil systems topic comes up most?

Soil degradation (5.1.5): in 19% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 2.5 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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