Help! Understanding the O.W.L.s

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 102841

Steve, now Asian_lovr2 wrote:
 
>>> Beyond the core classes of Potions, Charms, Transfigurations, 
History of Magic, Herbology, Astronomy, and Defense against Dark 
Arts, Hermione is taking Ancient Runes, Arithmacy, and Care of 
Magical Creatures. Total: 10 classes. At the end of PoA, she dropped 
Muggle Studies and Divination to make here schedule more manageable.
 
 So at one point, Hermione was taking every available class; 12 
total.
 
 <snip>

Someone else worked this out in a past discussion, but some classes
 are Theory plus Practical, others are theory or written test only, 
and other still are practical only.

 Based on this analysis, I estimate that there are a total of 16
 possible O.W.L.s.>>>>

Ali responds: 

I disagree. It's fair to assume that O.W.L.s are like O'Levels 
(Ordinary Level exams). For O'levels, some subjects had both theory 
and practical papers, but we were still only awarded one O'Level per 
subject. I don't believe that having to be tested in two different 
ways will mean that they get two O.W.L.s. Also, it is hardly such a 
wonderful achievement to get 12 O.W.L.s, if there were a total of 16 
available.


However, there is a possibility that some subjects are deemed large 
enough that they merit more than one O.W.L. For example, depending 
on where it was studied, students could study Physics, Chemistry and 
Biology separately (I never did Biology), and get an O'Level in each 
subject, or they could study "General Science" which would be worth 
2 O'Levels. It is certainly possible that say Potions was worth 2 
O.W.L.s because of the width of the subject matter. I actually don't 
think that canon bears this argument out though as there is only 
discussion of "Potions" and "Transfiguration" etc when it comes to 
Harry's career guidance.

Steve again:
 
>>> The only problem would be conflicting test schedules. As we saw 
from Hermione's example, she had to use the Time Turner to take two 
tests at once on more than one occassion. I suspect for a brilliant 
student the teacher might be willing to make some accomodations.>>

Ali:

Again this might be possible, but if it happens, I don't think it 
happened to Hermione - I think she would have said if that had 
happened. Besides, it is possible to re-schedule an exam if there is 
a conflict - the student with the subject clash is kept away from 
all their fellow students under the constant eye of a teacher to 
ensure no cheating takes place (this can even be over night), they 
then take the same exam as their friends, a little late.

Steve:
 
>>> I estimate that Harry and Ron are eligible for 13 possible OWLs 
and Hermione is eligible for 14. I further estimate (or speculate) 
that Harry and Ron will get between 8 and 10 OLWs (very espectable), 
and  Hermione, of course, will get a full 14. >>>

Ali:

JKR has said that 12 is the maximum number of OWLS available, in her 
World Book Day chat. Notice that she says "I think so" - to me, that 
would be because she actually hasn't thought it through, and is 
covering herself. I would argue that 12 is the maximum number of 
OWLs that a student can *normally* get at any one time. They could 
presumably go and study an OWL again at a later stage - as people 
did with O'Levels and their replacement GCSEs. I agree with Steve's 
argument that a Muggle-born could potentially take Muggle-studies 
without studying the subject, although I don't believe that this is 
what happened in the two cases we know where 12 OWLS were awarded, 
or in the case of Hermione. But the possbility must exist.

<<<faye109: Is 12 the maximum possible number of OWLs one can 
achieve? 

JK Rowling replies -> Yes, I think it is off the top of my head
>>> 

I believe that the maximum number of O.W.L.s which a student can 
achieve in any one exam period is 12. So, I suppose that Hermione 
will either be doing 12 O.W.L.s, or JKR has got her maths wrong. I 
prefer the former explanation, but suspect the latter.

Ali