Ordinary Wizarding Level

An Ordinary Wizarding Level (often abbreviated O.W.L.) was a series of subject-specific standardised tests taken during Hogwarts students' fifth year. These exams were administered by the Wizarding Examinations Authority and had been around since at least the late 1800s.
Each subject had its own O.W.L. exam. The score achieved by a student on a particular O.W.L. determined whether or not that student would be allowed to continue studying in the more advanced classes of that subject in their sixth and seventh years. If students did not score high enough on a subjects O.W.L., then they would not be allowed to take that class anymore. Exam scores also determined what type of job a student could have once they graduated Hogwarts.As well as referring to the test that students took in their fifth year, the term "O.W.L." also referred to the type of class, i.e. the level of difficulty of the class the student is taking. In addition, "achieving an O.W.L." was used to refer to a class in which the student had passed their O.W.L. exam (example: Harry Potter received an O.W.L. in Transfiguration by attaining a passing grade on the O.W.L. exam for that class).
==Importance==
Once a student passed the O.W.L.s, they would be allowed to take the N.E.W.T. -level classes in their sixth and seventh years. In their seventh year, students took the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test, or N.E.W.T., the scores of which were what potential employers looked at when the student was looking for a career after they completed their education. Some careers required certain subjects to be taken at N.E.W.T. -level and with a passing grade or in some cases top grades. The O.W.L. examinations basically determined what type of career options students would be able to pursue once their education had been completed.
In order to be admitted into a class at N.E.W.T. level, a student first had to achieve an 'Outstanding' or 'Exceeds Expectations' at O.W.L.-level in order to prove they could cope with the upcoming course work, which would be much more advanced. Minerva McGonagall would not let Neville Longbottom into her N.E.W.T. Transfiguration class, because he did not achieve a high enough grade, which meant that Neville would have not had the skills or knowledge in that field to reasonably keep up with the significantly more challenging coursework. The individual teachers decided what grade was required for a student to take their class at N.E.W.T. level, Severus Snape only accepted students into his advanced potions class if they got an 'Outstanding' on the O.W.L. exam, while Horace Slughorn was perfectly willing to accept students with 'Exceeds Expectations'.
Successfully completing the O.W.L.s was also a sign that the student was trustworthy enough to be a law-abiding citizen who could learn from their mistakes. Thus, any such students who were expelled would be permitted to keep their wands and continue to practise magic, though this would be a sign of disgrace forever tainting their permanent record, as Newton Scamander underwent.
Due to the serious and important nature of the tests, preparation for both O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s was very hard work. Students would generally begin preparing for their O.W.L.s in their fourth year, in order to take them at the end of their fifth. The pressure was enough to make certain students (such as Hannah Abbott) have a panic attack, and it was necessary to give them a Calming Draught to lower their anxiety.
===Cheating===
Cheating was also both highly tempting for the students and highly guarded against by the exam givers. Anti-Cheating Spells were applied to all O.W.L. exam papers. Auto-Answer Quills, Remembralls, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs, and Self-Correcting Ink were all banned from the examination hall as well. Despite this, at least one student attempted to cheat every year, though none known were successful since the year 1896.
===Coursework===
Students in fourth year received more homework then any of the years prior, in preparation for their upcoming O.W.L.s. Once a student was in their fifth year, the amount of homework being set would drastically increase. During a 1995 Charms lesson, students spent more than an hour reviewing Summoning Charms, which according to Professor Flitwick were bound to come up in their O.W.L. Professor Flitwick then finished the lesson by setting fifth years their largest amount of Charms homework ever.
It was the same, if not worse, in Transfiguration. A Transfiguration lesson on Vanishing Spells ended with everybody, but Hermione Granger being given homework. This was done to prepare students, as Vanishing Spells were some of the most difficult magic they would be tested on during their O.W.L. exams. The amount of homework being set increased with every class, not just a select few. For O.W.L.-level Astronomy, students filled in blank star charts and were expected to complete long and complex essays. Astronomy homework became so intensive that some students had to organise meetings to help each other get through it. In Study of Ancient Runes fifth years had homework that involved translating runes. The Astronomy and Ancient Runes homework coincided with the exam material for both classes.
This intense work load, lead to some students panicking about the amount of homework they had to do. For example, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley spent a lunch hour in the library looking up the uses of moonstones in potion-making. It also resulted in some students developing headaches due to the stress, because of the sheer quantity of work being set. Harry was a frequent victim of these headaches, and the pain would stab at him sharply.
During the same point in time, some fifth year students had to write three essays, practise Vanishing Spells for McGonagall, work out a counter-charm for Flitwick, finish a bowtruckle drawing, and start a dream diary for Professor Trelawney. Apparently, O.W.L.-level Divination had such an increase in coursework that homework meetings between students were common. Essays were issued in both Herbology and History of Magic as well. The History of Magic essay on Giant Wars was considered long. These essays most likely reflected questions that would be asked on the theory portions of the O.W.L exams. This trend in homework continued for the majority of the school year of fifth years.
===Study===
Students such as Ernie Macmillan studied eight or nine hours a day in order to ensure good results'. The day before exams, fifth year students in Gryffindor spent the entire day reviewing subject content that could appear in their exams. Harry Potter quizzed Hermione Granger by asking her question from the book Achievements in Charming. Hermione became so agitated that she accidentally hit Harry in the nose with the sharp corner of the book, after having snatched it back in order to check her answers.
Ron Weasley spent his time reading two years' worth of Charms notes with his fingers in his ears, his lips moving soundlessly. Seamus Finnigan laid flat on his back on the floor, reciting the definition of a Substantive Charm while Dean Thomas checked it against The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown practised basic Locomotion Charms, by making their pencil-cases race each other around the edge of a table.
The evening before the exam was uncomfortable. Every fifth year was trying to do last-minute revising, but nobody seemed to be getting very far. All the fifth year boys were lying awake, but no one in the dormitory spoke. None of the fifth-years talked very much at breakfast the next day, either. Parvati was practising incantations under her breath. Hermione was rereading Achievements in Charming so fast that her eyes appeared blurred. Neville Longbottom kept dropping his knife and fork and knocking over the marmalade.
Students also studied in between exams, practising wand movements and whispering incantations under their breath. Students also went straight to their common rooms after meals and submerged themselves in revision for whatever exams they had the next day. Ginny Weasley was also forced to study for hours into the night and spend much time within the Hogwarts Library.
==Exams==
Most O.W.L.s were divided into written exams and practical exams. The O.W.L. was comparable to the Muggle "O level" given at the same stage of education (the "O" standing for Ordinary). In 1988, this examination was replaced by the G.C.S.E. in England and Wales and the Standard Certificate level in Scotland, though in recent years the Standard Certificate has been replaced by National 5s in Scotland, but wizards were under no obligation to change their examinations when Muggles did.
Strict measures, such as Anti-Cheating Quills and Anti-Cheating spells, were used to prevent academic dishonesty. Among the examiners were Griselda Marchbanks and Professor Tofty. When a practical examination started, students would be called in alphabetically, by either first or last name.
===Schedule===
O.W.L. exams were administered over a period of two successive weeks at the end of fifth year. Most exams were divided into two parts: students will sit the theory portion in the morning and the practical portion in the afternoon, with the exception of the Astronomy practical exam, which occurs at night.
====1989====
The exact days for the O.W.L.s was unknown, but it was known that seven of the O.W.L.s were held in this order.
#Potions
#Charms
#Transfiguration
#Herbology
#Care of Magical Creatures
#Defence Against the Dark Arts
It is unknown when the Astronomy, Divination, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies and Study of Ancient Runes O.W.L.s took place.
====1996====
=====First week=====
Subject 	Time 	Exam info
Charms 	Monday 	Written: Levitation Charm, Cheering Charm, and Counter-charm for hiccoughs.
Charms 	Monday 	Practical: Take an egg cup and make it do some cartwheels, Levitation Charm, Colour Change, and Growth Charms.
Transfiguration 	Tuesday 	Written: One of the questions was the definition of a Switching Spell.
Transfiguration 	Tuesday 	Practical: Vanishing Spell
Herbology 	Wednesday	Written: Unknown
Herbology 	Wednesday	Practical: Fanged Geranium and other plants.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Thursday 	Written: Question ten — name five signs that identify the werewolf.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Thursday 	Practical: Counter-jinxes, Defensive Spells, Boggart-Banishing Spell, and the Patronus Charm for bonus points.
=====Second week=====
Subject 	Time 	Exam info
Potions 	Monday 	Written: Contains a question about Polyjuice Potion
Potions 	Monday 	Practical: The making of certain potions, although few details are known.
Care of Magical Creatures	Tuesday	Written: Unknown
Care of Magical Creatures	Tuesday	Practical: Identify a Knarl hidden among a dozen hedgehogs; Demonstrate correct handling of a Bowtruckle; Feed and clean out a Fire crab without sustaining serious burns; Choose from a wide selection of food the diet they would give a sick Unicorn.
=====Unknown=====
*Muggle Studies – It was not specified when this exam was taken, or what components it included.
==O.W.L. scores==
If a student failed an O.W.L. and still wished to retake it, they were presumably held back in that class. Professor Severus Snape remarked in 1996 that Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle needed to pass their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s, and that he gave them detention for this.
===Passing grades===
*Outstanding [O]
*Exceeds Expectations [E]
*Acceptable [A]	
===Fail grades===
*Poor [P] (may possibly repeat)
*Dreadful [D]
*Troll [T] (fail with distinction)
==O.W.L.s achieved==
Subject 	Recipients 	Notes
Study of Ancient Runes 	Hermione Granger, Bill Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (most likely), 	
Arithmancy 	Hermione Granger, Bill Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Septima Vector 	
Astronomy 	Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (most likely), Aurora Sinistra 	Harry and Ron's O.W.L.s may or may not have allowed them to continue to N.E.W.T.-level, though it is unknown as neither of them chose to apply for the subject in either case.
Care of Magical Creatures 	Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Silvanus Kettleburn, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank 	It was never mentioned that Charlie earned a pass, but it seems likely since he worked directly with magical creatures.
Care of Magical Creatures 	Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Silvanus Kettleburn, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank 	It is unknown whether Luna Lovegood achieved an O.W.L. in this subject, but seeing as she became a professional Magizoologist in her adult life, it was very likely.
Care of Magical Creatures 	Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Silvanus Kettleburn, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank 	It was also very possible that Luna's husband Rolf Scamander achieved an O.W.L. in this subject as well, considering he was also a Magizoologist.
Charms 	Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Cedric Diggory, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Filius Flitwick, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Isobel Ross, 	Augusta Longbottom failed her Charms O.W.L.
Charms 	Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Cedric Diggory, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Filius Flitwick, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Isobel Ross, 	Isobel Ross, the mother of Minerva McGonagall, most likely achieved an O.W.L. in this subject, as she excelled in Charms and graduated top of her class in the subject.
Charms 	Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Cedric Diggory, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Filius Flitwick, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Isobel Ross, 	It is one of the subjects in which students are required to pass an O.W.L. with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror.
Charms 	Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Cedric Diggory, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Filius Flitwick, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Isobel Ross, 	It's possible that Ben Copper gained an O.W.L. with an Outstanding in this subject, because charms normally reserved in the subject was merged into Charms class, and he was well-versed in Charms and Martial magic. It was his best subject.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Quirinus Quirrell, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Pansy Parkinson, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Ben Copper (possibly), Luna Lovegood (possibly), Jae Kim	Most of these were members of Dumbledore's Army, which contributed to their high scores.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Quirinus Quirrell, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Pansy Parkinson, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Ben Copper (possibly), Luna Lovegood (possibly), Jae Kim	This was the only course Harry Potter received an 'Outstanding' in and Hermione Granger did not.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Quirinus Quirrell, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Pansy Parkinson, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Ben Copper (possibly), Luna Lovegood (possibly), Jae Kim	It was possible that Lyall Lupin achieved a O.W.L. in this subject, as he was world-renowned authority on Non-Human Spirituous Apparitions.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Quirinus Quirrell, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Pansy Parkinson, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Ben Copper (possibly), Luna Lovegood (possibly), Jae Kim	It was one of the subjects in which students were required to pass an O.W.L. with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror.
Defence Against the Dark Arts	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Quirinus Quirrell, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Pansy Parkinson, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Ben Copper (possibly), Luna Lovegood (possibly), Jae Kim	It was possible that Ben Copper gained a O.W.L. in this subject, because charms normally reserved in the subject was merged into Charms class, and he is well-versed in Charms and Martial magic.
Divination 	Parvati Patil, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Sybill Trelawney 	Lavender Brown may also have achieved an O.W.L. in this subject, given that she and Parvati are usually mentioned as being the most enthusiastic, interested and diligent in this class.
Divination 	Parvati Patil, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Sybill Trelawney 	Harry Potter failed this exam, given that it was his worst subject. Ron Weasley also failed this exam.
Herbology 	Hannah Abbott, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Pomona Sprout, Herbert Beery, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Nymphadora Tonks, Jae Kim 	Neville Longbottom achieved an 'Outstanding' O.W.L.; Herbology was noted to be his best subject, and he later worked as a Professor of the subject himself.
Herbology 	Hannah Abbott, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Pomona Sprout, Herbert Beery, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Nymphadora Tonks, Jae Kim 	It is one of the subjects in which students are required to pass an O.W.L. with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror.
History of Magic 	Hermione Granger, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Cuthbert Binns, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Rowan Khanna (possibly), Nymphadora Tonks, Ismelda Murk (possibly), Jae Kim 	As this was known to be an extremely boring subject, given Professor Binns' droning lecture style, most students found it impossible to pay any attention in this class, and thus almost impossible to get a good O.W.L. score in.
History of Magic 	Hermione Granger, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Cuthbert Binns, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Rowan Khanna (possibly), Nymphadora Tonks, Ismelda Murk (possibly), Jae Kim 	It was one of the subjects which Talbott Winger was required to pass with O.W.L. an with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror, oddly enough.
History of Magic 	Hermione Granger, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Cuthbert Binns, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Rowan Khanna (possibly), Nymphadora Tonks, Ismelda Murk (possibly), Jae Kim 	It was likely that Rowan Khanna and Ismelda Murk gained top marks in their O.W.L.s in this subject, as it was their best subject.
History of Magic 	Hermione Granger, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior (possibly), Cuthbert Binns, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Rowan Khanna (possibly), Nymphadora Tonks, Ismelda Murk (possibly), Jae Kim 	Harry Potter received a 'Dreadful' on this O.W.L., as he passed out halfway through the exam.
Muggle Studies 	Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Arthur Weasley (possibly), Quirinus Quirrell, Charity Burbage, Bartemius Crouch Junior (most likely) 	Although it was unknown if Arthur Weasley gained any qualifications in this subject, it is likely due to his fascination of Muggles and his work in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.
Muggle Studies 	Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Arthur Weasley (possibly), Quirinus Quirrell, Charity Burbage, Bartemius Crouch Junior (most likely) 	This was a class that Hermione Granger wanted to study due to her Muggle status, but was dropped due to conflicting schedules.
Potions 	Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Severus Snape, Horace Slughorn, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Padma Patil, Jae Kim 	Professor Snape's favouritism of Slytherin students may have been part of the reason Slytherin students tended to do well in this subject.
Potions 	Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Severus Snape, Horace Slughorn, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Padma Patil, Jae Kim 	This was said to be a rather difficult subject to achieve an high O.W.L. score in. Only twelve students were able to make it to N.E.W.T.-level in 1996; four Ravenclaws, four Slytherins, three Gryffindors, and one Hufflepuff.
Potions 	Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Severus Snape, Horace Slughorn, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Padma Patil, Jae Kim 	It was one of the subjects in which students are required to pass an O.W.L. with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror.
Potions 	Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Severus Snape, Horace Slughorn, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Padma Patil, Jae Kim 	Lily Evans most likely achieved an high O.W.L. score in this subject, given that she had an instinctual understanding of potion-making (according to Horace Slughorn.
Transfiguration 	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Jae Kim 	Neville's 'Acceptable' O.W.L. did not qualify him for the N.E.W.T.-level.
Transfiguration 	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Jae Kim 	It is likely that the Marauders progressed to N.E.W.T.-level in this subject considering; Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were able to perform Untransfiguration on Peter Pettigrew, James Potter's wand was excellent for Transfiguration, and Pettigrew was able to perform conjuration, which is taught at N.E.W.T.-level.
Transfiguration 	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Jae Kim 	It is one of the subjects in which Talbott Winger was required to pass an O.W.L. with a grade of E or O in order to have prospects of becoming an Auror.
Transfiguration 	Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnigan, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Jacob's sibling (possibly), Talbott Winger, Jae Kim 	It is possible that Augusta Longbottom received a high O.W.L. score in this subject, considering that she wanted her grandson Neville to take it at N.E.W.T.-level.
==Behind the scenes==
*O.W.L.s are comparable to the formerly used Ordinary Levels (known as "O-Levels") that these exams appear to be named after, being taken around the same age and studied for two years before examination.
*In the film adaptations, "O.W.L" is pronounced as an acronym, but in the UK audiobooks every letter is enunciated individually, presumably to avoid ambiguity.
*In their Charms exam, students are called in order by last name, alphabetically. However, Harry Potter and Hannah Abbott are called at the same time for their Transfiguration exam, which may mean Transfiguration O.W.Ls are called in order of first name.
*The only known characters to receive all twelve O.W.L.s are Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, and Bartemius Crouch Junior. However, in , it is revealed that attempting this would cause a timetable clash during that year; Minerva McGonagall had to write several letters to the Ministry in order to obtain a Time-Turner for Hermione Granger so that she would be able to attend all her classes when she attempted to take all twelve subjects in her third year (although she ultimately dropped two when she was not able to cope with so many subjects). It is unclear how Percy, Bill, and Barty Crouch Jnr were able to make a similar accomplishment as Hermione's was the only Time-Turner to ever enter Hogwarts according to J.K. Rowling. It should be noted that Barty Crouch Jnr obtaining twelve O.W.L.s was mentioned by his father during a bout of insane rambling due to the damage to his mind from fighting the Imperius Curse and could have been a delusional mistake on the part of Bartemius Crouch Senior. On the other hand, all three had parents connected in some way with the Ministry, so this is fairly plausible.
*Harry Potter and his year all begin studying for their O.W.L.S as early as the beginning of fourth year. It is unknown whether this is the case with other years at Hogwarts or if it was a precaution so students didn't forget their work whilst the Triwizard Tournament was being held.
*In early editions of , Hermione Granger is said to receive eleven O.W.L.s, scoring ten O's and one E. However, after the events of , Hermione shrunk her class load from twelve subjects to ten, dropping both Divination and Muggle Studies. This was corrected in the Scholastic edition, where Ron instead states the she received nine O's and one E, giving her a total of ten O.W.L.s.
*It is interesting to note that the passing grades of O.W.L. exams are vowels (A, E, and O), while the failing grades are consonants (P, D, and T).
*In the film version of Half-Blood Prince, many more students are seen studying N.E.W.T. level Potions. Interestingly, both Romilda Vane and Katie Bell are seen in this class, despite the fact that Romilda is a fourth year and Katie is a seventh year.
*In , players can guide Jacob's sibling to gain at least an A in 7 subjects:
**Charms
**Potions
**Transfiguration
**Care of Magical Creatures
**Herbology
**Defence Against the Dark Arts
==Appearances==
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==See also==
*Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test
*Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test
Category:Examinations And Tests
Category:Foundables
Category:Hogwarts