O.W.L.s

[John Kearns]

No: HPFGUIDX 132510

Karen:
> The number refers to the number of courses in which you achieve an 
> OWL.  They are the same as the GCE 'O' levels exams in RL Britain 
> (now called GCSEs).
> 
> You take a subject in school for 2 years and then you sit a public 
> examination.  This may consist of 1, 2, or more separate papers 
> (which usually took place on separate days, but you knew which 
> aspect of the subject was covered within each paper) each 
> comprising one OWL.  There are various grades available depending 
> upon the percentage mark that you achive.  In RL 'O'levels the 
> grades were A - E and also U - Ungraded (Troll!), where A-C were 
> passes and D and E were fails.

John K:

Maybe it's the math teacher in me, but I still can't work this so it 
makes sense with 12 being the maximum.  The core classes are:

Defense Against the Dark Arts
Transfiguration
Charms
Potions
Herbology
Astronomy
History of Magic

And then each student may take up to three of the following, though 
Harry takes only two (Hermione: "Without Muggle Studies and 
Divination, I'll be able to have a normal schedule again" PA22)

Divination
Care of Magical Creatures
Arithmancy
Muggle Studies
Ancient Runes

Indeed there are 12 classes, but how could Percy and Barty Crouch, 
Jr. have each earned 12 OWLs?  Hermione only managed to take all 12 
for one year, thanks to the time turner.  Now she's in 10, and Harry 
9.  It can't be THAT routine to hand out time turners to top 
students.

I thought perhaps the practical examinations might be separate OWLs, 
but this would create so many OWLs (something like 16 for Harry, 
though I haven't counted precisely) that 12 would be fairly 
attainable, and indeed hardly a reason for Percy or Crouch Sr. to 
gloat.

Any insights?