IB ESS · 2021 to 2026

5.1 Soil systems

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SL archive · 2017 to 2026

5.1 Soil systems

Latest exam session: May 2026

questions
questions
papers
papers
exam sessions
exam sessions
By year9micro-topics

Micro-topics in 5.1 Soil systems

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 5 of them have no matching questions in this archive.

  • 4

    5.1.1

    Soil as a system

    2 questions · in 4% of papers

    Less common

    last May 24 P2 TZ1

  • 2

    5.1.2

    What soil is made of

    1 question · in 2% of papers

    Less common

    last May 22 P2

  • 0

    5.1.3

    Soil profiles and horizons

    No question tagged to this topic in the 50 ESS papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 8

    5.1.4

    Inputs to soil

    4 questions · in 8% of papers

    Occasional

    last May 26 P2 TZ1

  • 18

    5.1.5

    Outputs from soil

    12 questions · in 18% of papers

    Rising

    last May 26 P2 TZ3

  • 6

    5.1.6

    Transfers in soil

    3 questions · in 6% of papers

    Occasional

    last Nov 24 P2 TZ1

  • 6

    5.1.7

    Transformations in soil

    4 questions · in 6% of papers

    Occasional

    last Nov 23 P2 TZ1

  • 4

    5.1.8

    Systems diagrams of soil

    2 questions · in 4% of papers

    Less common

    last May 26 P2 TZ2

  • 0

    5.1.9

    Soil and plant growth

    No question tagged to this topic in the 50 ESS papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 0

    5.1.10

    Soil biodiversity

    No question tagged to this topic in the 50 ESS papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 0

    5.1.11

    Soil and nutrient recycling

    No question tagged to this topic in the 50 ESS papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 4

    5.1.12

    Soil texture

    3 questions · in 4% of papers

    Less common

    last May 26 P2 TZ1

  • 14

    5.1.13

    Soil texture and productivity

    9 questions · in 14% of papers

    Occasional

    last May 26 P2 TZ1

  • 0

    5.1.14

    Soil as a carbon sink, store or source

    No question tagged to this topic in the 50 ESS papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it

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

fewermore

Micro-topic2017201820192020202120222023202420252026
5.1.5Outputs from soilRising · last May 26 P2 TZ3
2Outputs from soil, 2017: 2 questions1Outputs from soil, 2018: 1 question1Outputs from soil, 2019: 1 question·Outputs from soil, 2020: 0 questions·Outputs from soil, 2021: 0 questions1Outputs from soil, 2022: 1 question·Outputs from soil, 2023: 0 questions·Outputs from soil, 2024: 0 questions2Outputs from soil, 2025: 2 questions5Outputs from soil, 2026: 5 questions
5.1.13Soil texture and productivity
·Soil texture and productivity, 2017: 0 questions4Soil texture and productivity, 2018: 4 questions1Soil texture and productivity, 2019: 1 question·Soil texture and productivity, 2020: 0 questions1Soil texture and productivity, 2021: 1 question1Soil texture and productivity, 2022: 1 question1Soil texture and productivity, 2023: 1 question·Soil texture and productivity, 2024: 0 questions·Soil texture and productivity, 2025: 0 questions1Soil texture and productivity, 2026: 1 question
5.1.4Inputs to soil
1Inputs to soil, 2017: 1 question1Inputs to soil, 2018: 1 question·Inputs to soil, 2019: 0 questions·Inputs to soil, 2020: 0 questions·Inputs to soil, 2021: 0 questions·Inputs to soil, 2022: 0 questions·Inputs to soil, 2023: 0 questions1Inputs to soil, 2024: 1 question·Inputs to soil, 2025: 0 questions1Inputs to soil, 2026: 1 question
5.1.12Soil texture
·Soil texture, 2017: 0 questions1Soil texture, 2018: 1 question·Soil texture, 2019: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2020: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2021: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2022: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2023: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2024: 0 questions·Soil texture, 2025: 0 questions2Soil texture, 2026: 2 questions

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  • Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before

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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?

18 exam sessions from 2017 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 23 papers in this archive.

Which 5.1 Soil systems topic comes up most?

Outputs from soil (5.1.5): in 18% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Identify", worth about 2.1 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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