16 May How to meet ESS assessment criteria: your IB guide
Current ESS IA criteria: first assessment 2026. The individual investigation has a maximum report length of 3,000 words and is marked out of 30. SL and HL use the same six criteria. This guide replaces the incorrect five-criterion framework previously shown here.
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| A: Research question and inquiry | 4 |
| B: Strategy | 4 |
| C: Method | 4 |
| D: Treatment of data | 6 |
| E: Analysis and conclusion | 6 |
| F: Evaluation | 6 |
Research question and inquiry
Explain a relevant environmental issue and the background needed for your focused question. Check whether the evidence you can obtain is suitable for answering it.
Strategy
Discuss an existing or developing strategy related to the environmental issue. Explain tensions between relevant perspectives and their consequences. This is different from describing your sampling method.
Method
Describe and justify your procedure and sampling decisions clearly. Consider equipment, access, safety, ethical issues and practical limitations. A pilot can help you refine the plan.
Treatment of data
Organise and process relevant data using appropriate techniques. Label tables, graphs and units. Select calculations and statistical methods because they fit the question and data, not because they appear advanced.
Analysis and conclusion
Explain patterns, variation and relevant uncertainty. Answer the research question using your results, and state the limits of the evidence.
Evaluation
Discuss specific methodological weaknesses or limitations and how they affect confidence in the conclusion. Propose realistic improvements that address those limitations and identify unresolved questions.
Review your own report
- Can a reader follow the connection from question to evidence and conclusion?
- Are the method and processing decisions explained?
- Does each limitation have a clear effect and relevant improvement?
- Have you checked the current descriptors and school requirements?
Read the full descriptors in the official IB ESS guide, first assessment 2026. Your investigation, analysis and writing remain your own; this summary is not a guarantee of a particular mark.
Request a FREE 20-minute trial lesson. Include your IB year, SL or HL level, main question, availability and time zone. Your assessed work remains your own.
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