Expecting to get A grades? Want a further challenge and the opportunity to be recognised for the breadth and depth of your knowledge? Then AEAs might be for you.

If you are expecting to get A grades in your A levels, you may want to consider taking an AEA. This is designed to provide a further challenge to anyone who is expecting to achieve an A grade.

AEAs are available in 19 subjects:

• biology
• business
• chemistry
• critical thinking
• economics
• English
• French
• geography
• German
• history
• Irish
• Latin
• maths
• physics
• psychology
• religious studies
• Spanish
• Welsh
• Welsh second language.

If you expect to get an A grade in any subject at A level, you can take an AEA in critical thinking. For all other subjects, it is advisable for you to have studied or be studying the subject at A level before taking an AEA. The AEA in business has been designed so that it can be taken if you have studied either the A level in business studies or applied business.

AEAs are designed so that students from any college or school can take them. If you achieve an AEA you'll receive a merit or distinction.

The good thing about AEAs is that you don't have to study new topics and you have more of an opportunity to show the knowledge you have gained at A level. In order to show that you have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject, you will be expected to demonstrate:

• use of critical analysis
• good evaluation
• an ability to pull together different topics.

If you decide to take an AEA, it would be a good idea to try out some past or sample exam papers to help you get used to the different styles of question that appear in AEA exams.

The good news is that from 2006 AEAs count towards your UCAS points score to get into university.

If you think AEAs are for you, speak to your teachers about the possibility of entering. They will be able to provide advice and information.

If you are going to begin your A levels in 2008 then, for the first time ever, you will have the opportunity to gain an A* grade.