O.W.L.s

[Bilbo]

Sorry Moderators if there is thread on this already, but I couldn't find it....

Will we see Harry and Co. take their OWLs?

If so, what will they be like (ie a course like Lupin's final or a written test)?

Do the OWLs have anything to do with the length or the "new magical area?"

[dep999]

I forgot all about the OWLs... How could I be so stupid :wacky:

I will be a gr8 part of the book to here what kinda test they will have to cook up for harry I mean with what he had to do in book 5 the owls should be nothing

[Faye]

If it is shown, I think Hermione will wind up going into a study frenzy much akin to what happened in PoA. However, events occuring in Book 5 (especially if Voldie shows up) might disrupt things and maybe we won't read about the OWLs. I highly doubt this, though.

[nimbus2006]

Boy o Boy... What a year this kid is gonna have!

I'm pretty sure they will be big in the story, as even yearly exams are included. Hermione will go nuts, and maybe even Harry and Ron will get deep into studying.
:)

[Picko]

I think the OWL's will be included in the story and I do think they'll complete them regardless of what happens story wise. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the first time that Harry gets serious about his magic especially seeing that he has a maniac wizard back and after him. I'd look for a bit of a shock and Harry outperforming Hermione for the first time ever. I think this because in my opinion a lot of the things that Harry has done magically has been far greater that "ordinary".

[Bilbo]

Originally posted by nimbus2006
Boy o Boy... What a year this kid is gonna have!



LOL nimbus.

What exactly will the OWLs be though? Written, or will it resemble the tasks in GoF? A little of both?

Besides Hermione, who will score highest?

[Picko]

I think it will really depend on the subject. I would think that most of it will be practical ie. doing spells making potions etc. Although there will probably be a bit of theory.

And I wouldn't bet on Hermione getting the highest score, it would develop her character more to see how she would deal with failure, especially seeing as how distraught she was after seeing her bogart.

[Bilbo]

It would develop Hermione's character. But she will still do extremely well. She is molded after JKR.

I think Neville is going to be a dark horse.

[Ellen]

:??: For the sake of us poor souls who don't have a clue, could someone please explain O.W.L.S? I gather they're like the things called O levels, whatever they are. As far as I understand it, they're more specific than the college tests I'm familiar with.

From the little I know, I guess they're tests on specific subjects and that the students "get an O.W.L." for each test they pass. But, if that's the case, why don't we hear students talking about what they got their O.W.L.S. in? Surely, the number wouldn't matter so much as whether you passed the tests dealing with what you wanted to study? Or would they?

Help!

[HbAznKyootie]

my question is how do u get owls? i mean how are the points awarded. strength? intelligence? a little of both perhaps? also, im curious to see who in the history of hogwarts got the highest owls. hopefully we'll find that ou in the next book.

[rotsiepots]

My interpretation of OWLs is this:

An OWL is an exam assessing one's abilities in every subject completed at a "junior" level. Thus both Harry and Ron will have to sit tests for Divination, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Each OWL assesses an individual's "overall" standard in the particular subject; thus you're required to demonstrate skills learned in first year (or whenever study in the subject began) through to fifth year when OWLs are awarded.

The number of OWLs awarded obviously depends on one's abilities in that particular subject. If you're not particularly apt at Potions, for example, perhaps you only "pass" through to senior education without distinction, credit or any sort of recognition. Exceptional performances warrant the awarding of OWLs.

I'm not sure if this is correct, but that's the why I understand their system to work...

:shrug:

[Dedalus]

Originally posted by Ellen
:??: For the sake of us poor souls who don't have a clue, could someone please explain O.W.L.S? I gather they're like the things called O levels, whatever they are. As far as I understand it, they're more specific than the college tests I'm familiar with.

From the little I know, I guess they're tests on specific subjects and that the students "get an O.W.L." for each test they pass. But, if that's the case, why don't we hear students talking about what they got their O.W.L.S. in? Surely, the number wouldn't matter so much as whether you passed the tests dealing with what you wanted to study? Or would they?

Help!
O Levels (Ordinary Levels - now called GCSEs) are taken when a person finishes highschool, at 16. In the normal muggle world this would determine what they could do at college, if they choose to go to college, (where they'd take their A Levels (Advanced Levels) and their A Levels determine what they could do at Uni. O Levels - or GCSEs - are just a whole range of exams because you do a whole range of subjects. A Levels are a lot more specific, because you can choose what to do in a much broader detail, before going on to Uni where it's even more specific still.

Now O Levels are counted in numbers because you have to do them. So what you did isn't important as with your A Levels (or N.E.W.Ts to the wizards). In the muggle world, you say "I got 8 O Levels" and that would define your course in college. Then you could say "I got an A Level in Photography". Do you follow me?

So I guess the system would be pretty much the same ... are N.E.W.Ts compulsary, I wonder? And do you do more specific courses than O.W.L.s, like with A Levels?

[dr_strangelove]

Originally posted by Picko
I wouldn't be surprised if this is the first time that Harry gets serious about his magic especially seeing that he has a maniac wizard back and after him. I'd look for a bit of a shock and Harry outperforming Hermione for the first time ever.

actually, wouldn't you consider harry as taking magic seriously in GoF? i mean, he became obsessed with the summoning charm, and then became very adept at a great number of charms for the maze...

oh, and thanks dedalus {nice handle :) } for the information on british testing systems... it clarified a lot

[gred&forge4ever]

So in England everyone finishes school at 16:confused:. Here in the US it is 18. Then who are the 7th year kids who take A levels? Why bother with A levels if you can go to college with O levels? My son is a freshman in high school 9th grade. He will graduate in 2006. He was to complete and pass 24 classes over the next 4 years, plus a mid term and a final exam for each class. He attends a private relgious school, so no state graduation tests. He will take ACT and SATS to determine where he goes to college. The better the he scores, the more competitive the college he will attend. If he ever failed a class, he would have to repeat it.

If you fail your OWL in a subjects do you repeat that subject? I am an elementary teacher in American, and this sound very confusing to me!!

[Picko]

actually, wouldn't you consider harry as taking magic seriously in GoF? i mean, he became obsessed with the summoning charm, and then became very adept at a great number of charms for the maze...

But he only studied because he had to, not because he wanted to. I think Harry might actually want to study magic in OotP but he'll also be pressured to a certain extent because he'll want to be able to defend himself against possible danger.

[Dedalus]

Originally posted by gred&forge4ever
So in England everyone finishes school at 16:confused:. Here in the US it is 18. Then who are the 7th year kids who take A levels? Why bother with A levels if you can go to college with O levels? .
We finish highschool at 16, go to college for 2 years (based on what we get in our O Levels) and then go to Uni (which is your college) based on what we got in our college (A Levels) and at Uni we do degrees and that. So it's 3 seperate school systems instead of 2 - high school --> college --> university. Oh, and Primary school, too of course. :)

It's confusing, I know. So in Hogwarts their O.W.L.S that they take at 16 (Harry will be 15) is like our O Levels that we take when we leave highschool. We then go on to college and they go on to their N.E.W.Ts, but they have to go on after they've finished their 5th year exams, unlike us muggles. But then they have no University.

[roz]

Originally posted by gred&forge4ever
So in England everyone finishes school at 16:confused:. Here in the US it is 18. Then who are the 7th year kids who take A levels? Why bother with A levels if you can go to college with O levels? My son is a freshman in high school 9th grade. He will graduate in 2006. He was to complete and pass 24 classes over the next 4 years, plus a mid term and a final exam for each class. He attends a private relgious school, so no state graduation tests. He will take ACT and SATS to determine where he goes to college. The better the he scores, the more competitive the college he will attend. If he ever failed a class, he would have to repeat it.

If you fail your OWL in a subjects do you repeat that subject? I am an elementary teacher in American, and this sound very confusing to me!!

In the UK you can leave school at 16. The exams that you you take at 16 are called GCSEs (General Certificate in Secondary Education). Most people take about 10 subjects amd you have to take maths, english, ascience and a foriegn language.

Most people don't stop their education at 16 though. If you wish to go to University then you will probably stay at school to do A levels (Advanced Levels). These are much more in depth and it is normal to only study 2, 3 or 4 subject. I did maths, physics and german so I have 6 hours of german a week, 6 of physics, and 10 of maths (I did maths and further maths) for 2 years. There is a new requirement for AS levels (advanced supplementary levels) but not being at school right now I am not sure how that works.

If you don't want to do A levels then there are a range of vocational qualifications that you can take. These are meant to prepare you to work in a specific sector of industry. For example you could take an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in travel and tourism. These are less academic than A levels but are supposed to be of the same value.

Theoretically either route can lead to a university place though it is still more normal to study for A levels if you want to go to Uni. University entrance is based upon the grades that you get in the final exams that you sit at 18. The better the reputation of the university and the course that you choose to take there the higher the grades that you need to get a place. The subjects that you have studied are also important. To study English at uni you need A level english, for maths you need maths. If I hadn't a physics A level and I wanted to study Physics I would have either had to take the time to get one or go to a lesser University who might have taken me on the strength of my Maths grades.

I hope that helps. If I have just confused you more let me know and will try to explain.

Roz.

[familiar]

So when you finish your "O" levels does the school you currently attend let you stay for two more years to do your "A" levels, or do you have to go to a different school? I assume you can attend a different school if you want.

In America you go to high school for grade 9 - 12 (graduate at age 18), then you can go straight to University, or if you didn't do well in High School you can go to college, which is 2 years. You can re-take High School level classes, and you can also take University level classes at the same time. After 2 years you apply to a University and they review your coursework and give you credit for classes that are equivalent to their own (if you got a good grade in that class). A college is also good for vocational training if you want to be a welder, or travel agent.

I remember in 9th grade, starting High School, the lecture we got about how our classes counted toward graduation and we would have to start taking our studying serious. I think that day I definately knew how Hermione felt. It seemed like such an impossible task - 4 years where anything could go wrong! I think Hermione will get top grades in everything because she'll worry so much and study too much.

[Puffskein]

Originally posted by familiar
I assume you can attend a different school if you want.

That's right. Some high schools don't have a sixth form, they only teach you until you're 16, and you go to a sixth form college to do A Levels.

I'm wondering what happens to people who fail their OWLs. Could that be what happened to Stan on the Knight Bus and people with dish washing jobs etc?

[SusanC]

Sounds like OWL's are like proficiency tests...gred&forge4ever as a US teacher I'm sure you are familiar with that. So, they become proficient, then what? If he is in the British eduational system, then why is he going to school until he's 18 and not 16? Do those extra years count as college? Is that why Bill went into banking after Hogwarts? Beacause of the extra two years. Is Charlie stdying Dragons in Romania as a university degree or as a graduate student?

Yes, Harry became serious about majic in GoF because he had to. But, doesn't he have to get serious about magic for his OWL's? Do you think that may lead him into how he will deal with Voldie this time? Or uncover some information about himself or parents that leads DD into telling him everything? Maybe that's how he finds his girlfriend? Maybe that's what draws Ron and Hermoine closer. He lost a bit of learning time because of his bad wand. maybe she'll tutor him?

June 21st is way to far away.... :banghead:

[Ashkins]

No the extra 2 years in the American system is required in order to graduate. You cannot go to University/College till you have 12 years of education (plus Kindergarten for 5 year olds).

[Faye]

My opinion is that the OWLs are akin to the PSAT, SAT, or ACT here in America. It's probably pretty much like a college entrance exam: something that goes on your transcript or resume and makes you look good, so places like the Ministry will pick you up. They're probably scored much in the same way, too, by getting individual scores (Potions, Herbology, etc.) and a cumulative score.

NEWTS, I'm guessing, are probably like AP exams or something for people who want to move on to higher magical education. Based on where Percy is, you probably need to take them to get truly exceptional jobs at a younger age.

[hpangel102]

I'm sure we will read about them all taking their Owls, and Hermione studying and cramming for the test....

[SusanC]

Originally posted by Ashkins
No the extra 2 years in the American system is required in order to graduate. You cannot go to University/College till you have 12 years of education (plus Kindergarten for 5 year olds).

True but he's not in the US system, he's in the British system. Also, what do majical kids due for schooling before Hogwarts??

[pegoheart144]

I think we will see Harry buckle down to his studies in the next book. His life may depend on his knowing as much as he can about magic and how to defend himself.

Someone asked early who holds the record for getting the most O.W.L's. I'd like to know that, too. My feeling is that it may have been Tom Riddle.

I would also like to know how many O.W.L's James and Lily Potter received. They were Head Boy and Girl so they must have scored high.

In my opinion there are four people to watch for:

1. Neville - is going to do better than people expect. I think he's going to get drawn in with the Trio and he study with them while preparing for the exams. Neville is what I would call a late bloomer.

2. Ron - is going end up getting more O.W.L's than Bill and Percy (12) but others in the year will score higher.

3. Hermoine - will score well (of course)

4. Harry - I am thinking something unexpected will happen with this. My prediction is that Harry will either tie or break Tom Riddle's record for most O.W.L's. Part of this has to do with the inadvertant power transfer that happened when Voldemort attacked Harry the first time.

[dr_strangelove]

i thought 12 was the most O.W.L.'s that one could get... but that may just be my interpretation of the book. i don't have any quote to prove that

[Turtle]

You're schooling systems in the UK and USA seem a tad confusing, OZ is a lot simpler.

I want to see Neville do well in Potions just to show Snape that he really is a bright kid, as I'm sure he is.

[Myrddin]

Actually it's more confusing in the UK because Scotland has a separate schooling system from England & Wales.

OK Here's the run down on the English & Welsh Systems

(4 or 5yrs to 11yrs old) - Primary School - UK Years 1 to 6.
(11 to 16 yrs old) - Secondary School at the end of which you sit your GCSE (OWLS) - UK Years 7 to 11. (Hogwarts years 1 to 5)
(16 to 18 yrs old) - You can either stay at school or go to a *college* and study for your A-Levels (NEWTS) - UK Years 12-13. (Hogwarts years 6 to 7).
(18+ yrs) - You go and do an honours degree at a University (eg institutions like Oxford and Cambridge) for 3 years (England and wales) or for 4 years (in Scotland).
After that you get a job or do a Doctorate (Ph.D).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the college of further education or 'FE' is a fairly recent phenomenon here in the UK. When JKR was a student you stayed on at school to do your A-Levels, so Harry is going to stay on at Hogwarts to do his NEWTS.

I highly doubt the system is modelled on the American one as JKR has no experience of it.

If you fail a GCSE in a crucial subject (say English or Maths) you can, and probably should, retake.

JKR is alleged to have said somewhere that Harry will surpass Hermione in book 5.

[hplover_ginny]

i hope we doo see owls :D esp. whats going to be on them and who aces them..(prolly hermiony lol) but what if the next book totaly ruins..owls or howgwarts

[TheLostWeasley]

if anything hermione is gonna be delighted...and like alwyas ron is gunna freak and not study and go off somewhere with harry and get into trouble...hopefull pull another prank on malfoy!

[Bixie]

So in England everyone finishes school at 16:confused:. Here in the US it is 18. Then who are the 7th year kids who take A levels? Why bother with A levels if you can go to college with O levels? My son is a freshman in high school 9th grade. He will graduate in 2006. He was to complete and pass 24 classes over the next 4 years, plus a mid term and a final exam for each class. He attends a private relgious school, so no state graduation tests. He will take ACT and SATS to determine where he goes to college. The better the he scores, the more competitive the college he will attend. If he ever failed a class, he would have to repeat it.


In England & Wales (OK Scotland is different - there's always someone!)

School is compulsory till 16 at which point you take O-levels/GCSE's - the number attained counts more here than the actual subject though some are compulsory others you can chose the subjects to take (at least when i wa at school) you can then either quit and get a job etc or stay and take A-levels. These are more selective, and you take fewer, and the choice of subject counts more as these are what would get you into Uni. These are taken at 18. Then there's Uni and the courses can vary Batchelor degree, Batchelor with honours (BA, BSc, BEd, BEng, etc etc) right through to Master degrees and Ph.D.

*courses can actually vary in length in England and Wales standard is 3 yrs but they can be up to 5 (Medical Doctors, Dentist and Vets I think)

A-levels and other 16-18 qualifications can be taken either at schools, Sixth form colleges (don't know what they called now but they're different to FE) and Colleges of Further Education.

I don't think the FE thing is that recent, years back if you left school at 16 you could go to a number of colleges for various 'vocational' courses.


Another note - Hogwarts years are numbered as they were when i was in school - Infants, Juniors and secondary were all numbered froom year one - so infants was reception class Years 1 & 2, Juniors Years 1-4, Secondary Years 1-5 then A'levels was actually Lower and Upper Sixth rather than years 6 & 7.

I'd say JKR has definately modelled it on the UK system Hogwarts is in the UK after all.

[familiar]

Wow! I never understood the English school system before, but it makes sense now. Thanks for such good descriptions. It really helps explain Hogwarts, too. I've been wondering about all this for years.

If you want to get technical about American schools, you aren't required to attend High School (grades 9 - 12, ages 15 - 18). At least in my state anyway. Of course, whithout a High School diploma you will have trouble getting a job anywhere so almost everyone goes. I think I like the English system better - having 2 years to study ("A" levels) with other kids who have similar goals (University, technical) sounds great. And if you want out of school at 16 you aren't disturbing the other kids, and you can be eligible to still get an entry level job somewhere.

[gred&forge4ever]

Thanks for the great explaination of the British school system. I never understood it before, even though both my parents are Irish and English respectively.

One more question. If you leave school at 16, can you still go to college? In the US, we have both 2 and 4 year colleges. The two year colleges(community colleges) have the same classes that the 4 years do for the first and 2nd year students, plus voc/ tech stuff.

I attended a community college for 2 years, as I was a stay at home mom when I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. After my 2 years of basics(English, Math Science, etc), I transferred to a 4 year University to finsh my Bachelors in Elementary Education. Does England have any of these options for people who decide as adults that they want to further their education?

Sorry to be so off topic, but it is interesting :)

[Filius Flitwick]

I want to bring this one back because I was wondering about it. If the O.W.L.'s do take place then it will be quite funny. Fred and George seemed to have a disappointing go at it while Percy excelled. Maybe a pool should be started to guess how many O.W.L.'s our favorite characters will receive. I'm sure that if they do take place we will at least see Harry, Ron, and Hermione's scores, but I wonder if we'll get to see other people's scores.

[grownupHP]

I read a funny interview with the trio on this topic. They Daniel was calculating his grade in the US system by using the Simpsons. He was figuring that since Bart was in the fourth grade and 9 yrs. old, he counted up from there to determine his grade level. It was hilarious.

[RogueRiver]

I am an American studying at a UK university, and it is definitely confusing making the transition from one system to the other (humor / humour... etc).

Probably the closest thing we've got in the US to OWLs (GCSE, O-levels) are aptitude exams required to graduate to the next level of study.

The SATs are a key measurement that universities look at on applications, but they assess verbal and mathematical skills, not every topic a student has studied so far.

AP classes do cover a range of topics, but they are for the Hermiones of the world who want to take advanced courses on an accelerated schedule. The exams at the end of the year determine how much University credit a student has earned for their work before they even get to a university!

At university, life is quite different in the UK vs the US (OK, parties and hormones aside). At the university level, a US student will take a number of different subjects, while a UK student usually will take courses in one subject. The UK bachelor's degree is run somewhat like a masters degree in the US...

And back to the Book 5 discussion: I've seen people suggest that Neville is under a memory spell, and if that were broken, he might do really well in classes in the future. He does well in Herbology anyway and might lead the class there...

I think the students will have a lot of distractions with dating, quidditch, and the whole wizarding world to save. But I think the OWLs will go on.

[EvilMeghan]

Originally posted by RogueRiver (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=299682#post299682))
IThe SATs are a key measurement that universities look at on applications, but they assess verbal and mathematical skills, not every topic a student has studied so far.

Don't forget the SAT II - Subject Tests. They are on specific subjects, such as Biology, Foreign Language, or Advanced Mathematics. Many colleges require that applicants take at least two of them in the subjects of their choice.

[RogueRiver]

Sorry, I've been away for a while

:o

Potions will be really hard for Harry and Ron... Do you think Snape will try to poison someone again?

[EvilMeghan]

I don't know if he will actually go through with it, but he will probably threaten the students with the fact that it may be on the O.W.L.'s. He could get in a lot of trouble for poisoning the students, unless he has the antidote with him to help whoever's antidote doesn't work. And I would imagine that if the antidote doesn't work, it would cause other...undesireable effects. That's a lot of risk.

I wonder if Ron or Harry will think to ask Fred and George about what was on the O.W.L.'s early in the book.

[RogueRiver]

Interesting... I bet you're right about Fred & George, though I bet the trio would feel more comfortable with pointers from Percy, seeing as how he did better on his OWLS than the twins. Then again, all three Weaselys will be busy with work (joke business / MoM).

Maybe the trio will discover interesting clues by looking up old exam papers in the library. I don't know if they'll have old exams available for review (US) / revision (UK) -- they do at the university where I am at the moment. Surely they'll get practice questions that will send them to the library?

[EvilMeghan]

May be they will confiscate old exams...Mauraders Map and Invisability Cloak to the rescue! Nah, I couldn't see the trio actaully stealing something, but maybe they will have a good reason for it (maybe keeping it out of Draco's hands?)

[RogueRiver]

Then there's the new DADA teacher... what kind of exam to expect? Maybe the trio will ask the real Mad Eye Moody for help both with the exam and real-world tests they're bound to face. However, I don't think cheating will be brushed off as it was in GF with the triwizard tournament. Cheating is a perfect example of the whole doing what is right vs. what is easy issue... I think there could be some real friction between Ron and his friends, especially with his dream of becoming Head Boy and the pressure he feels to live up to others.

[ArabellaBlack]

Do you think the professors set up the O.W.L.s, or the Ministry? It sounds like a standardized test, so why would they leave it up to the professors? Or maybe they have some input, which would be a lot fairer than the strange way standardized tests are conducted regularly.

Perhaps a little off topic, but I always wondered why Neville was so bad at Potions, if he's good at Herbology? To be good at Herbology, besides having a green thumb, you would have to have some knowledge of the properties of plants, wouldn't you? So, if he's already got that plant part of potions down, how hard would it be for him to memorize the properties of the animal parts of Potions as well? And he would just have to put it all together to make a potion. I think it's just because of Snape, and Neville is actually quite good at Potions. Besides potion-making, what use is there, magically, for Herbology?

Also: Does anybody else get the feeling wand magic is really just kiddie stuff? Not really complex? And more advanced charms and transfiguration doesn't require a wand? Does Sirius need a wand to transform? Or perhaps I'm grasping at greased straws.

[jordmundt6]

Yeah thye'll have them. I always saw them as written and I think Hermione does too but it'd be interesting if there were a physical component to them because doing "practice papers" means you could just regurgitate theory without actually being able to perform it. If it's anything like they're other classes it will require some theory explanation and some actual wandwork. Hermione will kick everyone's rear at the theory section, but I think Harry could be developed enough by the end of the year to give her quite a run for her money at the wnadwork.

EDIT: As I think the OWLs are the precursor or prelims to the NEWTs which are basically Ministry entrance entrance exams (or Wizard Civil Service exams), I think the Ministry sets them up and standardizes them subject to revision over short periods of time to accommodate advances in magical theory and practice.

[EvilMeghan]

I think they must be basically the same every year, like a standardized test. I wonder if they have study classes and books like we have for the SAT's and other standardized tests?

[jordmundt6]

Hermione indicated she was doing "OWL practice papers" so it does look like they have standardized tests and preps like the SAT and ACT

[bennett88133]

In the GoF, Hermione mentioned something about switching spells and how she only knows about those from doing OWL practice papers. That means that she will know about a lot of things already that the others won't know and will have plenty of time to ponder those things over the summer. I think she'll do really well.

[jordmundt6]

Yes, but I think Harry can match her if he channels his adrenaline the right way or even makes a half-hearted attempt at studying. Let me put it this way. Hermione approaches school the same way that Oliver Wood approaches Quidditch and they get pretty much the same results. Harry has more raw talent and if he inserts it into the structure those two provide, the results can be better than anyone could ever dream (whoever heard of a Seeker younger than anyone on the team who lost only one match in three years? Gotta be close to a record.). If Harry studies, he has the potential to match Hermione and even *gasp* surpass her. Now that would be a tough pill for her to swallow. Or maybe not. If she performs up to her usual standard and Harry still beats her, she'll probably be ecstatic.

[kitha]

I have to imagine that Harry will be so distracted by Voldy that he'll scarcely have time to worry about the OWL's - Ron may surprise everyone though, and break out of his mediocre mold by doing better than expected.... I also think that Hermione will do better than anyone else in their year, and maybe even set some sort of record!! ;)

Then again, maybe Harry really will apply himself - or maybe he'll try to, only to get sidetracked, and then find that watever he HAD learned when studying was extremely useful!

All I know is that I can hardly STAND the wait!! 50 more days! :banghead:

[FawkesBox]

Originally posted by Picko (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=140970#post140970))
I think it will really depend on the subject. I would think that most of it will be practical ie. doing spells making potions etc. Although there will probably be a bit of theory.

And I wouldn't bet on Hermione getting the highest score, it would develop her character more to see how she would deal with failure, especially seeing as how distraught she was after seeing her bogart.

I agree and I think that things like the boggart (the botched divination homework and the Mirror of Erised) are all twisted sorts of foreshadowing- making this a plausible possibility.

[jordmundt6]

Um there is a difference between not getting the highest score and washing out completely. And probably being up on charges for using the Time Turner. Big, big difference. And Hermione was really impressed by Harry's ability to perform the Patronus Charm. I think she'd respond well to Harry catching and passing her if she knows she did her best and got credit for it.

And for everybody on the boards who is using The MIRROR OF ERISED to say that

1. "Ron will be Quidditch Captain"

2. "Ron will be Head Boy."

3. "Ron will surprise everyone and get top OWLs out of nowhere even though he doesn't study except under extreme duress."

4. "Ron is the savior of the wizarding world" :lol: *groan*

There are times when I'd like to take that mirror and smash it and then make you guys clean up the shards. It doesn't show truth, it doesn't give knowledge, it doesn't tell the future. It presents an illusion composed of the viewers deepest, most heartfelt desires. It won't come true and the images have been known to kill men (but no women yet mentioned, interestingly) mesmerized by it trying to figure out if what it showed was possible. We already know that Harry will never see James or Lily alive. Why does Ron get a special dispensation on these images?

[tttiiimmmmmmyyy]

O.W.L- Ordinary Wizarding Levels

N.E.W.T- Nastilly Excruciating Wizarding Test

[jordmundt6]

Isn't it Exhausting or Exhaustive?

[RogueRiver]

The mirror might not tell the truth, as in, what will happen in the future -- but it does tell the truth about what viewers most desire. I think the fact that Ron wants so badly to be a leader will factor into how much effort he puts into practice for quidditch / studying for OWLS... it doesn't guarantee he'll succeed (back to the raw talent vs effort point above).

Then again, Ron being a master chess whiz bodes well for the exams, I think - must have a good mind! He's still trying to find where his raw talent lies.

[Picko]

Originally posted by jordmundt6 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=300297#post300297))
Um there is a difference between not getting the highest score and washing out completely. And probably being up on charges for using the Time Turner. Big, big difference. And Hermione was really impressed by Harry's ability to perform the Patronus Charm. I think she'd respond well to Harry catching and passing her if she knows she did her best and got credit for it.


Failure cannot always be measured in terms of a score, sometimes it is best measured in relative terms ie. previous performances. Hermione has been the top student in her year since she began at Hogwarts, if she isn't top of the year that would be a failure for her because it is below previous efforts. How she deals with that will be interesting. It will give extra depth to her character and the interactions between the trio (I'm expecting Harry to beat her) could provide an extra dimension to the story.

[Barbara Kennedy]

[i]Originally posted by EvilMeghan (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=299779#post299779))[/

I wonder if Ron or Harry will think to ask Fred and George about what was on the O.W.L.'s early in the book.


Wouldn't they change the O.W.L. tests every year?

[Amina]

this isn't really relevant, but someone asked about the A/S levels, and as i've just gone through the system i thought i'd answer for them :D

a-levels are now done in six modules. three in the first year, three in the second for each subject. at the end of the lower sixth, you take exams in teh first three modules of each subject (most people take four). you now have four 'AS levels' (advanced subsiduary levels).

In the upper sixth, most people then 'cash in' one of the AS levels, thus getting a grade. The other three are then carried on and the other three modules taken at the end of the year. The total six units are then all 'cashed in' at the end of the two year course, and give you three -level grades. Thus, we now have that one extra qualification; three a-levels, and one AS.

Back to the question at hand. I think harry will be like a lot of people at gcse...they have got by on natural intelligence until then, but now pull out all the stops and surpass the ones who are thought to be brainy and always get good marks. no doubt hermionie will do well. i think ron will struggle but do well...probably better than fred and george *l*

i'll be curious to see how things with voldemort interfer with studies....

[Puffskein]

Originally posted by Amina (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=317977#post317977))i'll be curious to see how things with voldemort interfer with studies....


You've just made me think that maybe Harry won't even be qualified because he's been so busy fighting evil! Of course, if he defeated Voldemort that would be enough to prove him as a trained wizard. Do we know what happened to his fourth-year qualification, since he didn't do exams due to the tournament?

[Chocolate Frogs]

I can see Harry and Hermione doing very well on their O.W.Ls, but Ron, I'm not sure. He doesn't seem to be good at any subject, really. Hermione is good at everything, and Harry does well in DADA. What does Ron excell in? I see him getting just enough to pass. He's the average kid.

[zent]

I see Harry doing extremely well-it seems to me, as has been mentioned, OWLs are practical exams. Harry has already exceeded OWL with the Patronus Charm (remember Lupin saying "it's very advanced magic?").

Harry may not have as extensive a knowledge of a spell list as Hermione, but he is more level-headed under pressure, and always seems to have a spell ready when he needs it.

For some reason, I think Gryffindors may be at an advantage over Slytherins in any Potions test->Snape was so hard on the Gryffindors that they have been trained better than the Slytherins.

In DADA, Harry is clearly at an advantage. What's anything Hogwarts can conjure up next to Voldemort, a basilisk, or a Dementor?

I have a feeling we might see Harry delve deeper into Transfiguration, too, as he tries to become an Animagi (just my prediction), so he may have an easy time of that.

And as for Charms, he's learned and performed some pretty tough Summoning Charms, so he should be ok.

For Divination, we know all he has to do is predict his own death :)

[Horntail]

I hope the O.W.L.s take up a good part of the book, it would be intresting to learn more about wizard tests. If end of year exams are any indications, Harry, Ron and Hermione will all do fine, with Hermione having the best scores. But I agree with earlier posts, maybe Harry will do the best, and it would be fun to see how both of them deal with this, it would really be a reversal from earlier. I think Harry would be really freaked out if he beat Hermione on such an important test.

[FawkesBox]

I completely agree. I also think that it will be interesting (and funny) to see how Neville will do... as well as Draco.
I also think that this will allow Lucius to do some more browbeating on young Draco- or perhaps will allow him to shine.

[AvidSkyRise]

It would be interesting to see how they take their OWLS and to see what kind of scores everyone gets on them. Obviously Hermione is going to get the highest score but waht if people we don't expect do bad...or do surrpisingly good...what if someone unsuspected surpasses Hermione! hehe

[Prof.Aze]

I'm kinda excited about their OWLS. Maybe they will have hands-on experience with their owls or both. They will have written and actual. Maybe in potions they will have to make a potion on their own and try to test it on someone else. How bad for the person who is going to try out Neville's potion. And i agree that Hermione is going to flip studying for the OWLS. And as usual Ron and Harry are jut relaxing and watching Hermione study. ;D

[Imperio! (Crucio!)]

I have a feeling we might see Harry delve deeper into Transfiguration, too, as he tries to become an Animagi (just my prediction)

i also beleive harry will try and become an animagus

[Earendil]

Hmm..it would be interesting if Harry became an Animagus...of what animal though? A Lion? :shrug:

In relation to O.W.L.s: I wonder if N.E.W.Ts are optional tests? Kind of like SAT II's if you're in the States. The way it seems in PoA, when it says that Percy was taking the N.E.W.T.s, I get the impression that since it is the highest qualification that Hogwarts offers, it's optional: only students who want to have super amazing resumes take them.

What if Neville does better at O.W.L.s than Hermione? :lol: Yeah, I doubt it too. But I do feel that we're having a buildup to some Huge Honking Neville Plotline--what it is, I'm not sure. I think there's much more to Neville than we know right now.

[zent]

Maybe a wolf? He's fast, dark-haired, noble, and loyal. It would be an interesting combination of Sirius and James too. He has a lot of the qualities of both. I think a wolf would be a good form for Harry.

[Filius Flitwick]

I thought Rowling said that none of the trio would ever become one....anywho, this is going a bit off topic.

[zent]

Filius: I'd be very interested in seeing where she said that, do you have the link?

[timmay]

My thoughts would be you could possibly get 3 O.W.Ls in each class, beginer, intermediate and Advanced.

So each student takes;
1. Defense Against the Dark Arts,
2. Charms,
3. Transfiguration,
4. Potions,
5. History of Magic,
6. Herbology,
7. Astronomy.
Then any 2 electives;
a. Care of Magical Creatures,
b. Divination,(Fortune telling)
c. Artihmacy,(more scientific fortuntelling)
d. Muggle Studies,
which gives a grand total of 9 classes.

So the maximum no of O.W.ls you could get would be 27.
But 18 would be the norm? or not.

Perhaps you just have to get the core subjects- Charms, Transfiguration and defence against the dark arts those subjects that require actual magic use rather than theory and technique.

But then if its a pass or fail system how do you get 12 O.W.Ls(which is said to be good) out of 9 subjects?
Remembering that Fred and george only got 8-did they fail a subject?

[Dedalus]

Originally posted by Earendil (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=320474#post320474))
In relation to O.W.L.s: I wonder if N.E.W.Ts are optional tests? Kind of like SAT II's if you're in the States. The way it seems in PoA, when it says that Percy was taking the N.E.W.T.s, I get the impression that since it is the highest qualification that Hogwarts offers, it's optional: only students who want to have super amazing resumes take them.

NEWTs are like A Levels. A Levels are taken for two years, after your GCSEs (or after your OWLs in this case) and are optional but are better for getting jobs with, and in the real world they get you into University too. A Levels can even be taken in a 6th form, like they are in Hogwarts ... taken in the same building as your high school.

But it doesn't seem like NEWTs are optional, because we've yet to see anyone drop out. That could just mean that they're sensible, though, but the question of leaving after OWLs has never arose. But it'd depend on how well you did in your OWLs ... if you only got like 3 or something, you surely couldn't do your NEWTs, and so wouldn't you have to leave? Or just do them again?

[Picko]

Originally posted by Filius Flitwick (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=320496#post320496))
I thought Rowling said that none of the trio would ever become one....anywho, this is going a bit off topic.


That's true, I'll try and find a link.

As for the OWL's, provided they actually get to complete them. I see this happening:

Harry will get the highest mark, I'll bet three eggs on that.
Neville will surprise.
Ron will be middle of the road.
Hermione will perform badly in comparison to her usual standards.

[McKinnon02]

The O.W.L.S. may be a compilation of everything they've learned so far. Meaning everything from years 1-4 (and probably part of 5) would be included in the test. There may be one for each subject, and it's possible they're tailored to each student, depending on the subjects taken and the time spent in the subject (a.k.a. Hermione's withdrawal from Divination.) In which case, Hermione will have the highest marks- I would bet my right arm she's got the magical equivolent of a photographic memory.

[Peteyt13]

Hello everyone, I'm new to posting here, although I have been browsing the boards for a few weeks. I just wanted to introduce myself and make my first post. I'm Pete... 15 and live in New York City. I was just reading Chamber Of Secrets for about the 9th time and noticed something interesting on p. 46 (US). About halfway into the page they talk about Percy having recieved his O.W.L.s just a week before. If this information is correct, you get your results in the summer. Does this mean we don't find out how Harry does until Book 6? (Even though in my mind I have a strong suspicion that for some reason he will not take them or they will be delayed).

[Silver Phoenix]

First let me say - Welcome to the boards :clappy: ! Interesting point. That would be...not fun (for lack of better words) to have to wait another how many years to find out? x.x If, or course, he does take them. (which is another good point, btw.)

[Sortiri]

arg, another thing I missed in the books!!! I really need to start reading slower!! I also need to stop reading the boards or I will never get through "Ultimate ... Potter"!! I hope that was found in it!! If not I will make a note for myself ( I have been making pencil notes in the margins and cross referencing the pages ... something I do not do with most books)

[Ousley]

If not I will make a note for myself ( I have been making pencil notes in the margins and cross referencing the pages ... something I do not do with most books)

That's actually a pretty good idea. I might buy the paperback versions so I can do that. :p

Edit: I forgot to mention: that was a very good observations. :)

[GryffindorSeeker]

Oy. I've noticed that, but it never clicked! It would be.... as Silver Pheonix said, "for lack of a better word, not fun". Hopefully she'll make a mistake and tell us any way! (or not)

[Peteyt13]

Thank you Ousley, I honestly don't thing if the 5th years took them J.K. would make us wait, but you never know (Although I am still standing by my theory that for some reason the exams will not be taken).

[Virtuousdream]

Hmm, I do think the exams will be taken, I can't see JKR making Harry have no O.W.L's can you? For a start he would probably have to re-sit the year in order to then get them to progress to N.E.W.T's and if he didn't do that then he wouldn't get a good job would he?!

I think she will make us wait until book 6 though, because JKR's mean like that :P. Still, not a lot we can do now, all we have to do is wait for another 6 days!

[rotsiepots]

:welcome: to the boards, Peteyt13!

This topic is currently being discussed in a thread entitled O.W.L.s (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4971).

I'll merge your topic with this existing thread, but if you're ever unsure whether a topic has been discussed previously, please consult the search (http://www.cosforums.com/a/search.php) function located at the top left-hand corner of your screen.

Thanks -- I'll merge this now. :)

[jordmundt6]

It looks like you get them in the first part of the summer. Remember we got the F&G OWL information listed in the same paragraph as everybody else's exam information at the very end of PoA; with a notation, of course, that Percy got his top NEWTs. It'd be cool if Harry actually surpasses Hermione at this, but I doubt it will happen. If it does, she'll be torn between being ecstatic for him and beating herself up because she didn't do better. And I don't think Hermione has a photographic memory. It doesn't look like she reads once and knows it without more effort. She pores over this stuff. She's been doing OWL practice for at least an entire year (she's talking about Switching Spells that she read about doing OWL practice papers in November when Harry's preparing for the first task). She has good retention, but it takes a lot of work and she puts the time in. I get the impression of the classic geek with a mountain of books and an even taller stack of notes that's triple cross-referenced.

[McKinnon02]

I think JKR may extend this book a little bit into the summer, so we can see the results of their O.W.L's (assuming the school isn't closed when they're supposed to be taking them.)

[jordmundt6]

She extended the last one into the summer (right up to where Book 5 starts) "Even looking back on it a month later, Harry never knew..." From "The Beginning." But it didn't help us any, did it?

[Picko]

She extended the last one into the summer (right up to where Book 5 starts) "Even looking back on it a month later, Harry never knew..." From "The Beginning." But it didn't help us any, did it?

GoF finishes when the term ended like the books previous. It didn't go any further into Summer than the books before it.

[jordmundt6]

Check the first couple of pages of "The Beginning"--It says something like "Even looking back on it a month later."

[Picko]

I hardly think one line constitutes an expansion into summer like the one proposed by other members. GoF essentially ended where the previous three books ended - after the train ride, no sooner no later.

[Ashkins]

The third task was in May if I recall correctly. The end of the term is in June. At the end of the book he had just gotten a hug from Molly and his his first kiss on the cheek by Hermione. Vernon just walked in front of him without saying a word as Harry recalled what DD had said at the final feast of the year.

[Picko]

No, the third task was on the 24th of June.

[Ashkins]

Yes you are correct. It was the 24th of June..


Brings up questions that are best asked in the spoilers thread.