Exceeds Expectations

Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Spoilers will be present within the article.

An 'Exceeds Expectations'-graded W.O.M.B.A.T.

"Well done — a most creditable performance! We are impressed by the breadth of your magical knowledge and your level of insight into the wizarding world."

—'Exceeds Expectations'-graded W.O.M.B.A.T.^[src]

Exceeds Expectations is one of the three passing grades, and one of six grades overall, in the Ordinary Wizarding Levels, Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, and Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Tests. It is the second highest mark, immediately below 'Outstanding' and immediately above 'Acceptable'.^[1]

Advancement

Most professors at Hogwarts set their N.E.W.T. classes entrance standards at 'Exceeds Expectations', meaning that the students must acquire such a grade in their O.W.L. in order to continue.^[2] Severus Snape however, required an 'Outstanding' from his Potions students.^[3] Professor Horace Slughorn, later however, accepted students with 'Exceeds Expectations' when Snape went on to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.^[2]

In 1995, Fred and George Weasley joked that they should have earned "E's" in all of their O.W.L.s, since they exceeded expectations just by showing up for the exams.^[1]

Recipients of an E

Known students	Subject	Date
Harry Potter	"He ran his finger down his grades... he had passed well in Transfiguration and Herbology, he had even exceeded expectations at Potions!" —Harry Potter reviewing his O.W.L. results^[src] Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L.^[4] Charms O.W.L.^[4] Herbology O.W.L.^[4] Potions O.W.L.^[4] Transfiguration O.W.L.^[4]	1996
Hermione Granger	"Oh, come off it. Yep — nine ‘Outstandings’ and one ‘Exceeds Expectations’ at Defence Against the Dark Arts. You're actually disappointed, aren't you?" —Hermione's O.W.L. results^[src] Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.^[4]
Ron Weasley	Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L.^[4] Charms O.W.L.^[4] Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.^[4] Herbology O.W.L.^[4] Potions O.W.L.^[4] Transfiguration O.W.L.^[4]
Neville Longbottom	"And you qualify for Defence Against the Dark Arts with 'Exceeds Expectations'... I see that you have an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Charms, however — why not try for a N.E.W.T. in Charms?" —Minerva McGonagall regarding Neville's O.W.L. result^[src] Charms O.W.L.^[2] Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.^[2]