O.W.L.s and how they're calculated

[Christy]

No: HPFGUIDX 89850

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali" <Ali at z...> wrote:

> I am still unsure how Barty Crouch Junior could have got 12 O.W.L.s, 
> and a possible explanation is awarding 2 grades per subject. But, 
> then 12 O.W.L.s would not be such a terrific achievement:
> 
> Possible subjects:
> 
> Divination
> DADA x 2
> Charms x 2
> Transfiguration x 2
> CoMC x 2
> History of Magic
> Muggle Studies
> Runes
> Arithmancy
> Astrononomy x 2
> Potions x 2
> Herbology
> 
Christy's thoughts:

It seems to me that Barty's 12 is possible, and it does seem to make
some sense, with the 2 OWL system.  

We know that all the students take DADA, Charms, Transfiguration,
History of Magic, Astronomy, Potions and Herbology. If you add up
these possible OWLS (counting 2 where there is a practical and written
exam) you get 12 OWLS all students would take. Assuming that each
student then takes one or two extra subjects (ex. Harry also has CoMC
and Divination) then there are 14 possible OWLs that he could get.
Hermione has 15 possible (Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and CoMC). So,
when you then consider that OWLs are supposed to demonstrate a level
of expertise (evidenced by some teachers requiring certain grades to
continue) I would think that 12 OWLs would be quite good. Remember
Fred and George got 3 each, which is clearly not good, but it also
seems to be an expectation that it's very rare for people to get all
of their OWLs.

Cheers...
Christy