OWLs

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 131956

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, heather the buzzard
<tankgirl73 at s...> wrote:
> Dave Hardenbrook wrote:
> 
> >...how Percy could get 12 OWLs when there aren't that many classes.
> >
> >... 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?
> >  
> >

> Heather:
> 
> Ooooooooohhhhh... you might be on to something there.
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> 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... Muggle Studies 
> ...  But it's  unlikely someone would be able to take all of them... 
> 
> heather the buzzard

bboyminn:

Close, but Potion would be two; it's both written and practical

-Written and Practical (4 classes, 8 OWLS)
-- Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, Potions

-Written Only (4 classes, 4 Owls)
-- History, Runes, Arithmacy, Muggle Studies

-Practical Only ( 2 classes, 2 Owls)
--Astronomy, Divinations

-Possible Blend of written and practical (2 classes, 2 Owls)
-- Herbology, COMC

Total 12 Classes with 16 possible OWLs.

Remember that you don't necessarily have to take the class to take the
test. Any muggle-born could take the Muggle Studies test and pass
without taking the class. A student could study on his own in a
subject he was reasonably good at and take the test while he
concentrated is serious studies on subject he needed help with. 

Also, remember you don't need to get an Outstanding to get an OWL; a
mere 'Acceptable' would be good enough.

This has been debated before, and we have never been able to resolve
it. I also doubt that JKR has thought it out in detail which could
account for the lack of clarity in the books.

Twelve out of sixteen OWLs is still pretty good, but anyone trying it
would have to make sure they didn't compromise there core critical
subjects to squeeze in a few extra OWLs. From the perspective of a job
resume, it would be better to get an 'Outstanding' in Charms and
Transfiguration than to get an 'Acceptable' in Charms,
Transfiguration, and Runes. So, additional OWLs only serve you if they
don't diminish your core subjects.

If it's a single OWL for each subject then to get 12 OWLs is even more
 outstanding. At least the other version leaves you some margin of error. 

Logically, you don't list your failures on a job application. You
simple list the OWLs you achieved, and there reason for other no
listed OWLs is irrelavant. 

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn