The IB DP Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) is a subject in which getting a 7 is within reach for anyone. I can count on my two hands how much time I spent studying for my IB ESS exams and I ended up getting a relatively easy 7. And I really believe the advice here can make it possible for anyone to do so.
Step 1: take smart notes for each unit
IB ESS is quite a memorisation-based subject relative to many other subjects. The first step to getting you to remember the information is coagulating and condensing the information into clear and minimal notes. Use your textbook, class notes or an online textbook to find the information and simplify these to bullet point notes. Organising information on your own like this is a great way to learn and understand the IB ESS concepts. Additionally, ESS as a subject is clearly structured. The IB syllabus tells you exactly what you need to know and what you don’t. Use that to your advantage to make notes that include only the most relevant information.
Step 2: test yourself using your notes, the syllabus, que cards, peers or online IB quizzes.
A plethora of studies have shown that active recall is the single most effective study technique there is. Active recall means testing your ability to recollect the information. One of the best things you can do after completing your notes for each unit or each subsection of each unit is to test yourself on what you learned in that unit or section. IB Textbooks either physical or online will often have quizzes or some questions at the end of each chapter and often we don’t even spare them a glance. But this is one of the most important IB tools the textbook can offer you. Always and without fail complete the quizzes at the end of the chapter. Additionally, ask a classmate, parent or friend to use your notes to quiz you on some of the material in them – just a couple of questions will do. Another option is to go to the IB DP syllabus and check that you can give an explanation to each point.
Step 3: Invest time and effort into your Internal Assessments (IB IA)
Some people might tell you that Internal Assessments aren’t that important and not to over invest time in them. But they’re wrong. IB IAs are a great way to boost your IB grade before even walking into the IB DP exam room. If you have a great IA in the bag already you can afford to make more mistakes during your IB exams. During exams you’re stressed, anxious and it’s a total time crunch. But you can do an IA in the comfort of your own home, taking all the time in the world and getting (the allowed) help from your teachers. So don’t waste the golden opportunity! Invest some time and energy into the IB IA. Maximise the feedback you are allowed to get from your IB DP teachers. Work on it with an IB DP tutor. Have a parent or friend read over it for a final spelling and grammar check.
Step 4: Do all the past IB DP ESS papers you can find!
Past papers are an IB student’s best friend. Do IB past papers till you drop! As you do past papers you will begin to see that a lot of subjects have patterns in the types of questions that are asked. This means you will be able to get a better understanding of what awaits you in the IB exam. Not only do the questions have a format but the answers to those questions have a format. This means you will learn exactly how to answer the questions to collect all the points available. Do you need a definition? A formula? Does the question require you to explain the pros and cons? These are all things you become familiar with over time. Furthermore, doing past IB DP ESS papers is another form of active recall so also use this a chance to memorise more information.
Following these 4 steps will allow anyone to get a 7.