OWLs

[Allison]

No: HPFGUIDX 21030

--- Dave Hardenbrook <DaveH47 at m...> wrote:
> Okay, we've talked about who will die, who will fal
> in love,
> what the Order of the Phoenix is, what measures will
> be
> taken against V, and even what direction Snape's sex
> life
> might take.  But there's one thing we *know* will
> happen
> in Book 5 that hasn't been discussed at all yet:
> Harry, Ron,
> and Hermione will be taking their OWLs.  How do you
> think
> they'll each do?  What do you think is the nature of
> the test?
> Will they have to do elaborate incantations?  Will
> they have
> to brave an obstacle course?  Will Hagrid supply the
> beasties?  Any ideas?

I think, of course, Hermione will get the most, then Harry, then 
Ron.  This could very well be a source of tension, like Scabbers and 
the Tournament were, with Ron being angry and jealous.  

And I imagine the tests would change according to the class.  Surely 
a standardized test would be gov't-regulated, so a teacher probably 
wouldn't make it up.  Standardized tests (at least in the US Muggle 
world) are written, but I bet they have some more practical tests at 
Hogwarts, actually performing spells and making potions and that sort 
of thing.

But how many OWLs can you get?  The highest score mentioned is 12, 
but it 
didn't sound like that was the most you could get.  Is it one OWL per 
class?  In which case 12 would seem like more then you get 
theoretically get.  

*counts on fingers*  There are 7 required classes, and it seems like 
everybody takes 2 extra classes out of 4 choices starting 3rd year, 
which makes 9, so how do you get 12 OWLs?  Even if you took OWL tests 
for the 2 classes you didn't take (which would be really unfair), 
that's still 11.  Unless Quidditch counts.  But Percy got 12 and he 
didn't play Quidditch.

So, does this mirror some British test?  If anyone has any idea how 
this sort of test would work, please let me know.

Thanks!

Allison