Ultimate Guide to IB ESS IA Practical Work: Requirements, Tips & Success Strategies (2025)

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4 min read

The IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) Internal Assessment (IA) is a vital part of the Diploma Programme that allows students to engage deeply with environmental topics through hands-on investigations. The IA provides an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world issues, while developing scientific and critical thinking skills.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:
What the ESS IA practical work involves
Structure, requirements, and assessment criteria
Collaboration rules and ethical considerations
Top tips for success

What Is the ESS IA Practical Work?

The practical work for the ESS IA is designed to give you first-hand experience in environmental investigations. This can include:

  • Fieldwork (e.g., measuring biodiversity, sampling soil or water)
  • Lab experiments (e.g., testing pollution levels)
  • Data analysis (e.g., modeling ecological footprints or carbon sequestration rates)

👉 Key point: Your IA must be an individual investigation based on a focused research question that connects to ESS concepts.

ESS IA Structure and Requirements (2025)

Report Type: Individual written report

Word Limit: Maximum 3,000 words

Contribution: Counts for 25% of the final ESS grade

Data: Must include unique qualitative or quantitative data collected by the student

ESS Concepts: Apply key concepts such as ecological footprint, carrying capacity, and environmental impact assessmentsP

erspectives: Explore tensions and interactions between scientific, ethical, and socio-political viewpoints

Collaboration: Collaboration allowed for sharing methodology only; data collection, analysis, and the report must be completed individually

  • A focused and feasible research question
  • A systematic and ethical methodology
  • Clear data analysis with appropriate techniques
  • Reflection on uncertainties and limitations
  • Consideration of broader environmental and societal implications

Collaboration and Authenticity

Allowed: You can collaborate in small groups for planning and sharing methods.
Not allowed: Sharing data or writing — your IA must be 100% your own work.

💡 Examiners look for authentic, individual analysis and interpretation of data.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

  • Follow all health and safety protocols in labs or field sites.
  • Obtain necessary permissions for field studies.
  • Avoid harm to living organisms and ecosystems.

Top Tips for a High-Scoring ESS IA

🌿 Choose a topic you care about: Personal engagement shines through in your writing.

📊 Collect quality data: Ensure sufficient, precise data for reliable analysis.

🔍 Apply ESS concepts rigorously: Don’t just describe — analyze using theories and frameworks.

⚖️ Consider different perspectives: Include ethical, scientific, and socio-political angles.

📝 Be systematic: Structure your report logically with clear sections and headings.

🕒 Manage your time: Plan data collection, analysis, and writing phases carefully to avoid last-minute stress.

Example Research Questions

How does the species diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates vary between urban and rural streams?
What is the impact of artificial light on insect abundance in a local park?
How effective is reforestation in increasing soil carbon storage in [local area]?

How RevisionDojo Can Support Your ESS IA

✨ RevisionDojo offers dedicated ESS IA resources, including:

  • Step-by-step guides for structuring your IA
  • Example IAs and model research questions
  • Checklists for meeting IB criteria
  • Practical tips for data collection and analysis

👉 With RevisionDojo, you can approach your IA with confidence and clarity!

Final Thoughts

Your ESS IA is a chance to explore an environmental issue that matters to you while applying scientific skills and critical analysis. By choosing a focused research question, collecting high-quality data, and engaging with different perspectives, you can create an IA that stands out — and secures top marks.

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