How It Works

The EMS admissions process is designed to ensure that the students who enrol are those who will most benefit from our specialist curriculum; the process is thorough, thereby ensuring that the students that join us can feel sure of their ability to embrace the breadth, depth and challenge within our courses. More information about this unique offering can be found on our curriculum page.

The full admissions policy for September 2021 admissions can be read here: Admissions Policy 2021

The minimum entry criteria are:

You will need at least 6 GCSEs to include:

8/9 under in GCSE Mathematics
8/9 in GCSE Double Sciences or Single Science Physics or Computer Science
An additional 4 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, normally to include English Language at grade 6

Selection is also based on the following:

A written application

The application form provides contact details for both the applicant and their school. It also has space for a personal statement in which the applicant can explain why they wish to attend EMS. If you have already achieved GCSE qualifications early, please include details in this section.

A satisfactory tutor reference

The EMS curriculum will be demanding. The tutor reference will indicate if applicants have the ability and attitude necessary to cope with the course. EMS will also ask the tutor reference for students’ predicted grades.

A mathematics based entry test

An excellent GCSE grade does not necessarily indicate a need for, or the ability to thrive within, EMS. The entry test is designed to assess an applicant’s potential and their problem-solving. It will not contain curriculum content beyond that of National Curriculum Level 8. Students who meet the first application deadline, in December, will be invited to attend a workshop to help prepare them for the entrance test. Applicants may also benefit from working through the sample questions below.

Sample Questions

Solutions to Sample Questions

A face to face interview

Those who have scored highly in the test will be invited to an interview. This will help to ensure that successful applicants are those who will most benefit from attending a specialist mathematics school.

Conditional Offers

Students will be offered places on condition of them meeting the minimum entry criteria. Should we have more suitable applicants than places we will operate a waiting pool.

September 2021 Entry

To be eligible to join in 2021 you must be:

Resident within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset* AND EITHER
Born between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005 OR
Born between 1st September 2005 and 31st August 2006 and in your final year of GCSEs.

In exceptional circumstances, applications will be considered from students born between 1st September 2003 and 31st August 2004.

You must also meet the minimum entry criteria, detailed on this page.

*Applicants from outside the school catchment area will only be considered if places remain once all students within the four counties have been considered.

For students considering applying to EMS for September entry, we run Taster Days in the preceding autumn term. Follow the link below for more information.