[HPforGrownups] O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s

[Siobhan Stoker]

No: HPFGUIDX 30013

HEATHER WROTE:

> I haven't been able to find much on these, despite a search of all of
> the web (I kept getting info on birds and salamanders, so I could have
> missed something legitimate in there), and a site search of the Lexicon.
> All I was able to find is what they stand for, and that Percy and Bill
> both got 12s on their O.W.L.s. I though I remembered the book saying
> what Fred and George got, but now I can't find it. I've seen them
> compared to British O-levels and A-levels, but the scoring doesn't seem
> to match if a 12 is supposed to be good. Does anyone know more? Or have
> theories as to how they work? Do you think 12 is the highest one can
> get, or is that just very good? r
>
> Right, english education system for americans (with reference to O.W.L.s
and N.E.W.T.s)
The first for years at secondary (high school) school is spent studying for
"O" (ordinary) levels. They are now called GCSEs (general certificate of
secondary education). In the first two years, you take basic subjects, such
as maths, english, science, history. Compulsary subjects for first an Second
year vary from school to school. At the end of second year, one choosesat
least two extra subjects to take, such as french, business etc. This is much
like the way Hogwarts works, you have to keep your old subjects, and take on
new ones. You can take as many as you like, but most people take three
extra, making 8 subjects (5 core subjects + 3 extra). At the end of fifth
year they take an exam or series of exams in each subject. Each subject is
one "O" level. If you pass (grade D or above) then you have one "O" level.
So if you take twelve subjects (I know someone who did this), and pass, you
have 12 "O" levels. This is much better than someone who only "got" (passed)
5 "O" levels. Hogwarts seems to follow this. Really and truely, taking more
than twelve would be lunacy, theres a lot of work that needs to done for
each subject, and there just aren't enough hours in the day, as Hermione
found out!
The next level of exams are "A" levels.  These are studied for in sixth and
seventh year.  This is where is gets even more specialised. Again you can
take as many subjects as you like, but this time you only take your chosen
subjects. E.g I did Drama Studies, English Lit and Theatre Skills, and those
were the only subjects I did. This is because the courses are very in depth.
At the end of seventh year, you take the "A" Level exams, and again each one
you pass is one "A" Level. You get points acording to the grade you get, but
usually universities specify the grades they want you to get for their
courses. For example, if you want to study pure maths at uni, they will
specify a grade B in maths and two Cs in you other subjects. I don't know if
this is how it works at Hogwarts, as the books haven't gone into detail
about this yet. All we know is that Percy had to get top grade N.E.W.Ts to
get into the ministry, I assume this means the have a mimium grade
requirement for jobs. Maybe Hogwarts students have to carry on with their
normal subjects as well.
        I hope this all helps!
           Siobhan