a question about exams

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 83157

Laura wrote:
In OoP we saw what O.W.L.s are like.  Is this comparable to the 
exams English kids take in the RW?  That is, the WW exams had essay 
and, where relevant, practical components, but were not standardized 
multiple choice or other non-essay formats.  College entry exams 
here, are exactly that, although the SATs will soon be moving to an  
essay structure.  And would we expect N.E.W.T.s to be the same sort 
of setup as O.W.L.s?

Now me:
Yes. When JKR was in school in the 70's and I was in school in the 
80's we sat our Ordinary Level or 'O' Level Examinations at 15/16.  
The average student about 5-8 exams in different subjects (always 
English, Maths, a Science, History or Geography plus your choice of 
other subjects).  They were always in essay format with some subjects 
having a practical exam as well: like French, Latin, Art, Chemistry 
etc. 
After 16 schooling is optional.  So you can see it wasn't odd that 
the Weasley twins choose to leave it was the way they did it.  If you 
choose to stay at 17/18 you sat your Advanced or 'A' Level exams, 
which determine university entry. Again the average student sat 2 `A' 
Levels in the subjects of your choice. As you can imagine these 2 
subjects were very detailed and extensively studied and you were 
expected to know what you wanted to study at university by the age of 
16.  British 18 year olds left Secondary (High) school with the 
American equivalent of 2 years of university education. 

Multiple-choice exams were looked upon with distain and as 
being 'easy' as the answer is written in front of you. 

However, that has all changed now and some younger HP fan might want 
to explain the modern exam system.

For a great explanation on RW equivalent schools and exams go to the 
Lexicon and read the essay 'British Schooling in the 1970's' by Diana 
Summers

Mandy