Ordinary Wizarding Level

"Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations. O.W.L.'s. More commonly known as OWLS. Study hard and you will be rewarded. Fail to do so and the consequences may be... severe."

- Dolores Umbridge to a fifth-year's class

An O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level) is a subject-specific test taken during Hogwarts students' fifth year, administrated by the Wizarding Examinations Authority. The score made by a student on a particular O.W.L. determines whether or not he or she will be allowed to continue taking that subject in subsequent school years.

Exams
Most O.W.L.s are divided into practical exams and written exams. The O.W.L. is comparable to the Muggle "O level" exam 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 the Standard certificate in Scotland, but wizards are under no obligation to change their examinations when Muggles do.

O.W.L. Scores
If a student fails an O.W.L. and still wishes to retake it, they are presumably held back in that class. This was the case for Marcus Flint; Professor Severus Snape also remarked in 1996 that Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle need to pass their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.

Passing Grades

 * O (Outstanding)
 * E (Exceeds Expectations)
 * A (Acceptable)

Failing Grades

 * P (Poor)
 * D (Dreadful)
 * T (Troll)

Confirmed O.W.L.s Received By Subject
All of the O.W.L.'s listed above (expect for Neville's Transfiguration O.W.L., and possibly Harry's and Ron's Astronomy O.W.L.s) qualified for an advancement to N.E.W.T.-level classes.

Behind the scenes

 * In their Defence Against the Dark Arts exam, students are called in order by last name, alphabetically. However, Harry Potter and Hannah Abbott are called at the same time.