How to revise IB Environmental Systems & Societies effectively

Revising for IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) can feel overwhelming. With its unique blend of scientific and social perspectives, ESS requires more than just memorisation—you need to apply concepts, analyse data, and think critically about environmental issues.

As a former Head of Department for ESS, I’ve helped many students navigate this subject successfully. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and how the most effective students prepare for their exams.

In this guide, you'll learn how to revise for IB Environmental Systems & Societies, which will help you to:

• Maximise your understanding

• Improve your exam technique

• Go into your ESS exams with loads of confidence

To provide even more expert guidance, we reached out to ESS textbook author and educational consultant Dr. Andrew Davis for his top tips. Keep an eye out for his insights throughout the article.

Before diving into the details, here’s a list of the top strategies that will help you succeed in IB ESS:

• Master the ESS syllabus: use it as your revision roadmap

• Think in systems, not just facts: focus on how different components interact

• Use case studies: real-world examples make your answers stand out

• Improve your data interpretation skills: practise handling graphs and tables

• Understand command terms: answer exactly what’s asked

• Use mind maps and visual aids: organise information for better recall

• Practise under exam conditions: simulate real exam settings to build confidence

• Space out your revision: use spaced repetition for long-term retention

• Use multiple resources: diversify your study materials for deeper understanding

• Keep a balanced approach to studying: avoid burnout and maintain a steady pace

Master the ESS Syllabus

One of the biggest mistakes students make is not fully understanding what they need to know. The IB syllabus clearly outlines the key topics and concepts you must be familiar with, so use it as your revision roadmap. Here’s what to do:

• Download the new IB ESS syllabus (first assessment 2026), or ask your teacher for a copy, and go through it line by line.

• Create a revision checklist to track your progress across different topics.

• Highlight areas where you feel less confident and prioritise them in your study sessions.

Think in Systems, Not Just Facts

ESS isn’t just about recalling information—it’s about understanding how different environmental systems interact. Instead of rote learning, train yourself to think about connections between topics.

• Use concept maps to visualise relationships between different environmental components.

• Focus on flows and feedback loops between abiotic and biotic factors.

• Ask yourself: How does this system influence other parts of the environment?

Changes to the processes in a system (disturbances) lead to changes in the system's outputs, which in turn affect the inputs (feedback)

Use Case Studies to Strengthen Your Answers

ESS examiners love real-world applications. Including case studies in your answers shows that you understand how theory applies to reality.

• Prepare your own case study flashcards that cover major topics (e.g. biodiversity conservation, pollution management, climate change).

• Structure your case studies efficiently: What happened? Why did it happen? What were the outcomes?

Improve Your Data Interpretation Skills

Data-based questions appear frequently in ESS exams, and many students struggle with them. Dr. Andrew Davis, an IB examiner and former ESS teacher of over 15 years, highlights this as a key area where students often lose marks:

“An easily overlooked part of the exams are the data-based questions. These are a big feature of both ESS papers, and you need to be able to read and interpret graphs, tables or other presented information correctly. You must make sure you are prepared for these! Practice lots of data-based questions, throughout the course (not just at the end!).”—Dr. Andrew Davis 06/02/2025

• Regularly practise with past paper data questions (ask your teacher for these or work through our ESS exam question packs, organised by topic).

• Focus on identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies in the data.

• Work on explaining data concisely—examiners want clarity, not unnecessary detail.

Understand Command Terms and Answer Exactly What’s Asked

Command terms are the words used at the beginning of each exam question, which tell you the level of detail needed (i.e., what the examiners are looking for). The full list can be found on page 125 of the ESS Guide, or you can just ask your teacher for them.

Misinterpreting command terms is one of the most common reasons students lose marks. The IB ESS exam uses specific command words like explain and evaluate—each requiring a different approach.

Dr. Andrew Davis emphasises this point:

“Students often write a detailed and apparently insightful answer but fail to gain marks because they have not addressed the command term in the correct way. For example, in ‘discuss’ and ‘to what extent’ questions, you need to present both sides of an argument, and end with a conclusion that presents your overall opinion (based on the evidence you have presented). Students often only present one side of the argument, or do not include a conclusion, and so lose marks. A good way of establishing whether you understand the command terms is to print the list, cut it up to divide all the terms and definitions, and then see if you can match each term with its correct definition.”—Dr. Andrew Davis 06/02/2025

Use Mind Maps and Visual Aids

IB ESS covers many interconnected topics. Mind maps and diagrams can help you structure your knowledge and recall information quickly.

• Create mind maps linking topics like energy production, deforestation, and soil erosion.

• Use flowcharts to map out feedback loops.

• Use the systems approach to draw simplified systems diagrams.

• Stick visual aids around your study space to reinforce key concepts.

A tree, which can itself be viewed as a complex whole system, can be represented using a simplified systems diagram like the one shown above

Practise Under Exam Conditions

The best way to improve your exam technique is to simulate exam conditions.

• Work through past papers under timed conditions.

• Review your answers critically—where did you lose marks?

Space Out Your Revision and Stay Consistent

Cramming at the last minute rarely leads to long-term retention. Instead, use spaced repetition—a technique that strengthens memory over time.

• Review topics at regular intervals (e.g., one week, two weeks, one month).

• Keep sessions short and focused (30–45 minutes per topic).

• Use active recall—test yourself instead of just re-reading notes.

Use Multiple Resources

Don’t rely on just one textbook—use a variety of materials to get different perspectives.

• Refer to exam-aligned IB ESS revision notes, official guides, and other online resources.

• Watch YouTube videos to reinforce complex topics.

• Read environmental news articles to stay up to date with real-world applications.

  • For example, ScienceDaily® summarizes recent Earth and Climate, Environmental Science and Ecology news stories in a student-friendly way

Keep a Balanced Approach to Studying

Finally, remember that effective revision is about balance. Your brain needs rest to consolidate information, so avoid burnout.

• Take regular breaks—use the Pomodoro technique (25-minute focus, 5-minute break).

• Stay active—exercise boosts memory and cognitive function.

• Get enough sleep—memory retention improves with proper rest.

Final insights from ESS Expert Dr. Andrew Davis

“In making every effort to revise each topic of ESS, it’s easy to overlook other things that can boost your performance. For example, many students struggle with command terms and data-based questions—yet these are areas where they can gain easy marks if they prepare properly.”—Dr. Andrew Davis 06/02/2025

By following these strategies, you’ll develop a structured, confident approach to your ESS revision. Whether you’re aiming for a top grade or simply looking to improve, effective preparation is the key to success.

Revision Resources for IB Environmental Systems & Societies

If you're sitting your ESS exams this May, check out our original revision notes and exam questions to help you prepare.

If you’ll be sitting your exams from 2026 onwards, check our completely refreshed, exam-aligned revision notes for the new ESS course, including updated SL revision notes, brand new HL revision notes, and notes on the three HL lenses.

Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams

Save My Exams helps students to study effectively and get higher grades than they ever thought possible. Our revision resources are written by teachers and examiners. That means notes, questions by topic and worked solutions that show exactly what the examiners for each specific exam are looking for. 

IB Environmental Systems and Societies Revision Resources

References

IB Environmental Systems & Societies Updates

IB Environmental Systems & Societies Subject Brief

More about IB ESS expert Dr. Andrew Davis

Dr. Andrew Davis has been an ESS teacher for over 15 years and was Head of Department for Environmental Science at St Edward's School, Oxford (2010-2018). He has been an IB Curriculum Developer for ESS (2017-2022) and an IB examiner for ESS (2014-present). He was involved with the recent ESS curriculum review for the IB and coauthored the Pearson ESS textbook, which he talks about in this “Ask the Author” webinar session that he featured in for the Pearson International Schools YouTube channel.