[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape's (un)fair grading

[The Crashing Boar]

No: HPFGUIDX 76054


  From: bibphile 


  <<snip>>But if you fail all your OWLS, then you can't get into any of the 
  classes sixth year.  I think they all demand at least an "A" for you 
  to get in.  It's just that some demand higher.  If you don't get any 
  OWLS, you can't take any more classes.  You've failed.

  Fred and George each got three OWLs.  That mean they can each take 
  three classes sixth yeaer (assuming each OWL was in a different 
  subject).

  At least that's what I think.  You can continue with potions if you 
  get an "O" on the OWLs no matter what you make in class.  You can 
  continue with Transfiguaration if you get an "E."  But I doubt any 
  class will let you continue if you don't get at least an "A".

  This is all theory.  I'm basing it on what I've seen in the books 
  and what I've heard about the O-levels that used to be given in the 
  UK.  I could be wrong.  It's just that when they talked about what 
  Harry needed to take higher classes, nobody mentioned class-room 
  grades.

  bibphile
  -----------

  The old 'O' and 'A' levels didn't have any grading from class work, it was simply a case of how you did on the day of the exam.  only the CSE grades needed a score from classwork, which was initially supplied by the teacher.  It was possible to take the higher level exams without having taken any classes for the lower exams, let alone passing the exam (I took my A level English Lit. exam although I'd not done the CSE or O level course.  I took the O level Eng. Lan. having spent 2 years doing the standard CSE class.  I scraped through on my Maths CSE, but went on to do the O level class) If you failed, it was possible to retake the exam if you needed to, and passing onto a higer course even without a pass mark was possible at the teaching staff's discretion.  

  It was, and is, common to only offer certain courses to students once they have entered the extended '6th form' level, the optional 2 years after your 16th year.  It is also possible that some of the lower level courses might be taken in some subjects that had clashed with prefered courses(maybe Hermione might decide to do those classes she dropped when she decided to stop using the Time Turner?).  So it is possible that some new or more specialised courses could be introduced in the next book!  

  Dawn


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