A few more random thoughts & questions

[geophage]

No: HPFGUIDX 69421

D.G Wrote
"look into the future and tell us: How did Harry do on his O.W.L.S.?"

Bboy Wrote
"Harry has passed these classes every year, so he must be getting at
least 'A' (acceptable) which is the lowest passing grade. Since this
year he is being tested by independant outsiders based on 
standardized
tests, I can't see him getting below an 'A' (acceptable) on 
anything."

He HAS passed his classes every year, but these are not tests by his 
teachers.  They are tests to see how well he has learned curiculum 
based on a pre-set standered.  For example - Hagrid I'm sure gave 
him passing marks every year, probably outstanding marks every year, 
but is he going to be as critical as the independent auducator?

Hers my thoughts...

DADA : O - Although I think Harry and the rest of Dumbledor's Army 
will all score well on this test, expect below average returns from 
the rest of the class.  Think of all they have been through...  1)
rather inconsistent teaching methods having had a difernet 
instructor every year.  2) At least one complete year with a 
completly incompetent teacher (Lockheart) 3) A fith and crucial year 
with an instructor who activly DID NOT WANT THEM TO LEARN.  While I 
think Harry will do well, I think there will be above the average 
number of failing grades handed out.  Remember that this independent 
judges don't care about hardships or outside influences, they should 
only be judging on wether or not the student has absorbed the 
required material, and it is on many occasions noted about how far 
behind they are in DADA.

Transfiguration : O - McG strikes me as an above average teacher, 
quite cabable of teaching her craft to even to those who arn't 
normally willing to make an effort to learn.  As once again I'm 
assuming this is not a test graded on a curve but a test to see who 
and who has not absorbed the required material, I would think almost 
anyone who put in any effort at all to listen will get an O based on 
McG 's strength as a teacher.

Potions : O - I think this might surprise people.  I think this for 
a variety of resons, not the least of which is the fact that harry 
would seem to need an O to advance the plot line.  Also I feel, 
despite some other possible shortcommings, Snape IS a very good 
teacher.  He's perhaps a bit hard on his students at times, but he 
does seem to get them to absorb the material.  Even oiur favorite 
would be headmistress comments on how advanced the class is for 
fifth years.  Although Harry may not be the best in the class, hes 
at least average, and thats average for a class that is already 
studying many things that art N.E.W.T level.  I see him doing fine 
on this test.

Charms : E - I would give Harry an E in most classes where I don't 
have a reson to adjust the score up or down.  Harry seems to have a 
resonable desire to learn combined with a good facility to do it at, 
with average or better teachers (in general.) I think an E (or above 
average) basline is where we should assume he is at unless we have 
reson to believe otherwise.

Herbology : E 

Astronomy : A - The distraction dureing the test will deplete his 
score some.

History of Magic : A - Harry seems to have little love for this 
subject, but with help seems to have struggled through it.  I think 
he will pull together a passing mark

Care of Magical Creatures : A - I mark this as a reflection on 
Hagrid, who has not been the best teacher the students could ask 
foor.  I would expect those who did not do independent study to fail 
this test, as Hagrid has not seemed to be teaching at all inside the 
curiculum.  As Harry has spent a great deal of time studing with 
Hermione I think he can scrape a passing grade.

Divination : D  Hes had a rather poor instructor and combine that 
with the fact that he really hasn't been takeing the class seriously 
at all, and I think D is the only grade that he can (or should) get.


All the aforentioned grades are presuming that these tested are 
measured agaisnt a flat basline and are not graded on a curve.  If 
they ARE curved I think that would help Harry in every area except 
potions, as he seems to be above average in most areas.  The problem 
with a curve in this case is that you would gaurentee that a certain 
percentage of students would fail, no matter how well they perform, 
and vice vera, complete incompetance could still pass if the sample 
group was poor enough in a given year.  On a pratical test such as 
this, where we are determining to a large extent wether these 
students are safe to unleash onto the world, gradeing on a curve 
just doesn't seem practical... It would be like giving the DMV test 
a curve.