What are Advanced Extension Awards?

GCE Advanced Extension Award (AEA)

  • AEAs are designed to challenge the most able 10% of Year 13 (18+) students and are set at a higher level of demand than the corresponding GCE.
  • AEAs are at Level 3 in the National Qualifications Framework.
  • AEAs are available in a limited range of subjects, with requirements based on GCE subject criteria.
  • Students are expected to show greater depth of understanding and apply knowledge using the skills of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis within the subject.
  • AEAs ensure that students in the target group are tested against standards comparable with the most demanding found in other countries.

How are they assessed?

  • AEAs are accessible to all able students, whatever their school or college and whichever specification they have studied.
  • They require no extra content to be taught. They are intended to differentiate between the most able candidates, particularly in subjects with a high proportion of A grades at A-level.
  • AEAs are assessed by a written exam and reported as ungraded, merit or distinction.

Other information

  • Each AEA is offered by one awarding body on behalf of all others: further information is on the QCA website.

AEA specifications, past papers and support materials.