Your school guide
Erskine Stewart Melville
Erskine Stewart Melville has an S1 assessment for August 2027 covering maths, English and verbal reasoning.
Independent school · Edinburgh
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Use Plusling to prepare for 11+ entry to Erskine Stewart Melville. Build skills with original questions, understand the answers and turn tricky topics into your next step forward.
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Meet the school
At a glance
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Plan your approach
Entry information
For September 2027 entry
ESMS’s main S1 assessment for August 2027 entry is scheduled for Thursday 7 January 2027 and covers Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning. Apply through the school’s online form; the school says applying by 7 December 2026 would be helpful, but later applications are accepted. For S2 and later, applications are made during the year before entry.
Entry stage: S1 (August 2027 entry)
What the assessment covers
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
The admissions process
- S1 is the Scottish secondary entry year; the current assessment date is Thursday 7 January 2027 for August 2027 entry.
- The school says the S1 entrance assessment covers Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning. It can arrange for applicants living far away or overseas to sit the assessment at their school.
- Complete the school’s online application form. For August 2027 entry, ESMS says it would be helpful to apply before Monday 7 December 2026, but applications after that date are still accepted.
- For entry from S2 onward, the school accepts applications during the year before the proposed entry. It says S2 and S3 assessments include English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.
Read the official details: Admissions information from Erskine Stewart Melville
Go to the source
Official links for your shortlist
Use the school’s current admissions information to check which sample papers or familiarisation materials apply to your child’s entry year.
From subjects to skills
Turn the assessment subjects into a practice plan.
Start with these core skills from the published subject list. Pair the official assessment material with regular Plusling practice.
English
A useful place to start
Read a short passage together. Ask your child to find evidence for an answer and explain unfamiliar words in context.
Build on it with Plusling
Build on that reading with Plusling’s English questions and explanations, then choose a topic to practise again.
Start the 5-question English quizMaths
A useful place to start
Ask your child to explain their method, estimate the answer and check the final calculation. Notice which step needs more practice.
Build on it with Plusling
Use Plusling’s original maths questions and worked explanations to make those next practice sessions count.
Start the 5-question maths quizVerbal reasoning
A useful place to start
Talk through word relationships, letter patterns and codes. Encourage your child to explain the rule before choosing an answer.
Build on it with Plusling
Explore words and logic with Plusling’s verbal reasoning quizzes, with feedback that helps the next attempt feel clearer.
Start the 5-question verbal reasoning quizPrint, practise, build confidence
Printable practice for these subjects
Original Plusling papers with space to work and separate answers and explanations.
English papers
Explore the papers
Maths papers
Explore the papers
Verbal Reasoning papers
Explore the papersThese are Plusling skills practice, not official school or test papers.
Keep the practical steps clear
Your application starting points
Use the official links on this page to answer these questions for your child’s entry year.
Check the entry point and eligibility
Confirm the year group, age requirements and any conditions that apply to your child.
Put the right dates in your diary
Note any published registration, assessment, application and offer-response dates that apply to your child’s route. They may be separate steps.
Check the assessment guidance
If an assessment applies, look for official examples, question formats, timings and answer instructions to help plan your child’s preparation.
Check fees and financial support
Look at fees, bursaries and scholarships, including any separate forms, evidence and deadlines.
Picture your child’s everyday life here.
An open day is a chance to look beyond the exam. Useful questions to take with you:
- How do you help new pupils settle in and make friends?
- Who can a child turn to when they feel worried or stuck?
- How do you help pupils recover from a setback and discover their strengths?
Know where to focus
Give their preparation a clear direction.
See the topics your child has practised, revisit questions that need another look and choose a focus for the next session. Plusling helps you put your time where it can be useful.
- Topic summaries and practice history
- Choose topics in Focus Practice
- Progress to discuss with the adults helping them
Their next step starts here
Give their 11+ preparation a confident start.
Try Plusling together. Five free questions, useful feedback and a first look at a friendlier way to practise.
Before you apply
- ESMS gives 7 December 2026 as a helpful application date, not a strict closing date; contact admissions about available S1 places and assessment arrangements.
Plusling’s guide to Erskine Stewart Melville is independently written. The school and its admissions authority publish the official arrangements.
Contains government school-register data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Primary sources
- Erskine Stewart Melville (ESMS) | An all-through co-ed school in Edinburgh Erskine Stewart Melville
- Admissions Welcome | Erskine Stewart Melville (ESMS) Erskine Stewart Melville
- Admissions Journey | Erskine Stewart Melville (ESMS) Erskine Stewart Melville
- Apply Now | Erskine Stewart Melville (ESMS) Erskine Stewart Melville