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Paper 1 is the first examination you'll face in your IB ESS assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB ESS Paper 1, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.
IB ESS Paper 1
- For SL, Paper 1 contributes 25% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 30%
- SL students have 1 hour, while HL students are given 2 hours to complete Paper 1
- Made up of questions based on data in variety of forms relating to a specific, previously unseen case study.
- Questions will be based on the analysis and evaluation of the data in the case study.
- All questions are compulsory.
A typical ESS Paper 1 question may look the following way:
Based on the provided information answer the following questions:
1) a) With reference to figure 1a, state why site D is included in the study. [1]
b) Outline two ways in which the abiotic conditions of Tracks A and C differ. [1]
c) (i) State the process through which communities change over time. [1]
(ii) Explain how this process can cause changes in the biotic and abiotic conditions by reference to Tracks A and C. [3]
How to succeed in ESS Paper 1?
As mentioned, Paper 1 in IB ESS focuses on a specific case study, so take the time to carefully read and analyze the information provided. Start by picking out the key environmental issues, the stakeholders involved, and any important data in the case study. Use these details to answer the questions clearly and directly, making sure to follow the command terms like "explain," "evaluate," or "compare". Show your understanding of the concepts by connecting them to the case study and backing up your answers with examples or data from the material.
Time is of the essence in this paper and hence it is also very important that you allocate the specific amount based on how many marks each question is worth. Remember to also practice with exam-styled questions under exam conditions so that nothing surprises you on the official exam.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
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