What is an advanced extension award in critical thinking?

The advanced extension award in critical thinking is intended to challenge the most able advanced GCE candidates by providing an opportunity to demonstrate a greater depth of understanding than that required at advanced GCE. There are no specific prior knowledge requirements for advanced extension award in critical thinking.

An advanced extension award (AEA) in critical thinking will assess candidates abilities to:

• demonstrate critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis

• bring together and use knowledge of a range of science, arts, humanities, political and social science areas.

The AEA qualifications:

• will be included in the UCAS tariff from 2006
• are based on Advanced GCE subject criteria
• depth of understanding and ability to think critically and creatively
• test connections between different elements of the subject
• require no additional teaching or resources.

All AEAs will have a 100 per cent external assessment.

The AEA in critical thinking test specification download on this page provides the aims, scheme of assessment and performance level descriptors for the AEA in critical thinking award.