International Standards (was: OWL EXAM CALCULATIONS)

[Mandy]

No: HPFGUIDX 97861

> Potioncat 
> Why do you think, if there is only one school in England, that they 
> bother with these tests?  It seems a very modern, Muggle thing to do.
> 
Mandy here:
I think the answer is a simple one.  The WW has exams similar to the
muggle worlds to make the story more assessable to us readers in the
UK who have been through a similar experience. 

We're able to understand the Trio's position in dealing with their
Owls. Because every child in Britain has gone thought that experience
with their O levels.  Or at least, did. I think I was one of the last
years to sit O Levels.  The huge importance that is placed on the
exams, the stress of waiting for the results to arrive on your door
step, on the exact same day as every other child in the country! So
there was no intercepting the letter and hiding it! And finally the
utter shame at failing any of them.  Which was my unfortunate
experience.  Of course as an adult I now realize how completely
unimportant it all really was, but back then when I was 15, it was hell!

I am willing to bet JRK will have the trio anxiously waiting for the
Owl results to arrive from the Ministry.  Although Harry may be a
little preoccupied with the other, greater problems he has, but I bet
we'll see Ron get yelled at by a disappointed Molly and Hermione
gloating over the God knows how many Owls she'll have!

I get depressed just thinking about that year at school.  

Cheers Mandy