OOP: The Fifth NEWT (Spoilers)

[nb100uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 67088

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ximena Valdivia" 
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<xvaldivia at y...> wrote:
> If it is between the ones you wrote I will go with Herbology as my 
> first choice and Astronomy as my second one. 
> Does that means that Harry will drop out from Care of Magical 
> Creatures?? I mean, NEWT classes should be harder than the others, 
> so is Harry have to take just NEWT classes or can he still take all 
> his other courses? I don't think he wouold be sad to drop History 
of 
> Magic and Divination
> 

As JKR is following the UK school system of O levels at 16yrs old and 
A levels 2 years later, it is likely that the students take between 8 
and 12 OWLS and then reduce the number at NEWT level to only the 
subjects they plan to specialise in.  For me, I took 10 O levels and 
then 4 A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, in 
preparation for a biology based university degree.

The whole point of the 'careers interview' was for Prof. McGonagal to 
guide the students towards the correct combination of 4-5 NEWTS for 
their chosen career.  For an auror, there is little flexibility in 
the subjects they require, but the 5th subject would appear to be a 
free option (although the final grade probably isn't).  Care of 
Magical Creatures is the most likely candidate seeing as Hagrid would 
probably pine away if HRH dropped his classes.

The level of difficulty of the subjects will probably increase 
dramatically though.  Snape makes a big deal about only 
taking 'Outstanding' grade OWLS through the NEWT courses.

nina