How natural systems and human societies affect each other, from ecosystems and biodiversity to water, land, climate and cities. An interdisciplinary course that counts for group 3 or group 4.
9 topics and 30 subtopics, first assessment 2026. HL is everything here; 4 parts marked HL only are left out at SL.
Counts beside each line are what is published for it today.
2 exams, 3 h in total, internal assessment 25% of the grade.
| Component | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1Calculator 1 h · 35 marks Compulsory questions analysing and evaluating data from an unseen case study. | 1 h | 35 | 25% |
Paper 2Calculator 2 h · 60 marks Section A: short-answer and data-based questions (40 marks). Section B: one structured essay from a choice of two (20 marks). | 2 h | 60 | 50% |
Individual investigationInternal Coursework · 30 marks An investigation of an environmental question, from fieldwork or secondary data, written up in up to 3,000 words. About 10 hours of work, marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB. | Coursework | 30 | 25% |
2 exams, 4 h 30 min in total, internal assessment 20% of the grade.
| Component | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1Calculator 2 h · 70 marks Compulsory questions analysing and evaluating data from an unseen case study. | 2 h | 70 | 30% |
Paper 2Calculator 2 h 30 min · 80 marks Section A: short-answer and data-based questions (40 marks). Section B: two structured essays from a choice of three (40 marks). | 2 h 30 min | 80 | 50% |
Individual investigationInternal Coursework · 30 marks An investigation of an environmental question, from fieldwork or secondary data, written up in up to 3,000 words. About 10 hours of work, marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB. | Coursework | 30 | 20% |
A free account keeps your place in the notes and a record of what you practice, topic by topic.