IB ESS tutoring
Environmental Systems and Societies has a new syllabus, first examined in 2026, and for the first time an HL course. It rewards students who can read unfamiliar data and argue with evidence. Our tutors teach both.
One-to-one from $12 a class · billed in USD
Online - IB Environmental Systems and Societies (first assessment 2026)
What every programme includes
- ✓ Systems, sustainability and environmental value systems
- ✓ Ecology, biodiversity and conservation
- ✓ Water, land, climate and pollution
- ✓ Paper 1: unseen case study
- ✓ Paper 2: structured and extended answers
- ✓ The individual investigation (IA)
Lesson times in your time zone
Weekdays 3pm-9pm after school · Weekends 8am-8pm, your local time. Pick the slot when you book.
How it is assessed
Paper 1 is based on an unseen case study, with questions asking students to interpret the data and apply what they have learned. Paper 2 has structured, data-based questions and extended responses. At SL, Paper 1 is 25%, Paper 2 50% and the individual investigation 25%.
The course was redesigned for first exams in 2026, and ESS is now offered at HL as well as SL.
Where marks are lost
Marked work shows the same patterns year after year:
- ✓ Case-study answers that ignore the figures provided
- ✓ Extended answers without a clear judgement
- ✓ Environmental value systems described but not applied
- ✓ Vague use of systems vocabulary
- ✓ An investigation without a measurable research question
IB ESS at SL (first assessment 2026)
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Paper 1: unseen case study | 25% |
| Paper 2: structured and extended answers | 50% |
| Individual investigation (IA) | 25% |
HL students sit extended papers and additional content; check the HL requirements with your school.
A DP year for ESS
- 1
DP1, first term
Secure the foundations from MYP or IGCSE and learn the command terms the markbands reward.
- 2
DP1, second half
Plan the internal assessment: a focused question and a realistic method.
- 3
DP2, autumn
Final IA draft against the criteria, then past-paper practice by topic.
- 4
DP2, spring
Mocks, then timed papers and review of every lost mark before May.
Tutors for this programme
Stephen Mc Cormack
PGCE Primary(3-11), Cardiff Metropolitan University
15 yrs experience
AP · IB · SAT
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Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta
PhD-qualified Mechanical Engineer, Graz University of technology, Graz , Austria
25 yrs experience
US school
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Muhammad Faisal
BS Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
5 yrs experience
GCSE Science · A-Level Physics · NAPLAN
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What IB tutoring costs in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong
IB, IGCSE and A-Level specialists in Dubai
AED 200-450+ an hour
Source: Bestimate: tutoring costs in Dubai, 2026IB and JC tuition in Singapore: full-time tutors
S$60-90 an hour
Source: SmartWealth: average tuition rates in Singapore, 2026Senior IB tutors in Hong Kong
HK$600-800 an hour
Source: GETUTOR (Hong Kong Tutors Association): IB tutoring pricesEagleTeach, one-to-one online
From $12 a class
Billed in USD, converted at an approximate rate. Two free demo classes first.
Common questions
Is IB ESS now offered at HL?＋
Yes. The new course, first examined in 2026, is available at SL and HL.
Does ESS count as a science or a social science?＋
It is an interdisciplinary course that can count for either group 3 or group 4 in the Diploma.
What is ESS Paper 1?＋
A paper based on an unseen case study, testing data interpretation and application.
How much is the ESS IA worth at SL?＋
25%.
Can a tutor help with the IA?＋
Yes, with the question and method; the investigation must be the student's own.
Is ESS a good choice for a sixth subject?＋
Often, for students interested in the environment who want breadth; check university requirements for science courses.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-10-02.
Helpful guides
Related programmes
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