[HPforGrownups] OWLs

[heather the buzzard]

No: HPFGUIDX 131955

Dave Hardenbrook wrote:

>In the runup to HBP I'm listening to Jim Dale's reading of OOP, and
>I'm on the "OWLs" chapter.  As I listened I was thinking about the
>question people have asked about how Percy could get 12 OWLs when
>there aren't that many classes.
>
>The passage that struck me was at the end of Harry's practical
>DADA, and it says, "He felt sure he had just achieved an Outstanding
>OWL."  What I'm wondering about is the word "just", as though acing
>the practical exam = 1 OWL.  So is it possible that there are *two*
>possible OWLs awarded per subject, one for the theory
>(written) exam and one for the practical?
>  
>

Ooooooooohhhhh... you might be on to something there.

I guess we'll have to wait and see, just a couple more weeks and I'm 
sure she'll explain it all... but you're right.  Several of the classes 
(not all) were divided into 2 tests.  So, 2 OWLS for transfiguration, 2 
for charms, 2 for DADA, and one each for the rest?  There might be a 
couple more with double exams... was there a 'theory' test for potions? 

Let's see, that would give Harry a total OWL potential of:

Transfiguration: 2
Charms: 2
DADA: 2
History: 1
Potions: 1
Astronomy: 1
COMC: 1
Divination: 1
Herbology: 1

That does come out to 12.  Hermione has a couple more, with Arithmancy 
and Runes instead of Divination... did she continue Muggle Studies after 
3rd year?  I don't recall... 

Anyway, there are 12 classes possible, I just listed them all.  But it's 
unlikely someone would be able to take all of them... Hermione nearly 
killed herself trying... so until we hear otherwise, I do like your idea.

heather the buzzard