= JKR's Interviews-Website Effects Section Folder+ WOMBAT exams - general discussion
Edited by Kip Carter Aug 4, 2007 2:29 am
Now that Jo has given us both WOMBAT Grade 1 and Grade 2, there's more to think about than simply the questions themselves.
What do you think she is trying to tell us with these tests?
Are there hints to the end of the series tucked in?
How do the two exams differ?
Was Grade 2 really more difficult that Grade 1?
Let's use this thread for discussion of the WOMBATs in general, since there are individual threads for discussing the questions on each exam. 
Added Edit: Discussion threads:
+ WOMBAT grade 1 questions and commentary
+ WOMBAT grade 2 questions and commentary
haymoni
- Oct 6, 2006 12:58 pm (#1 of 169)
I figured they were ways to keep us out of her hair for a bit!!!
- Oct 6, 2006 2:50 pm (#2 of 169)
I think they're pretty darn cool. The tests require some work on her part, and she doesn't have to do that. (Though it may be an investment in time, as she keeps us out of hair for a bit afterwards!) She wouldn't bother if she didn't care about her readers. It must be fun for her, too.
I missed the first exam, so I can't compare the two.
In this one she seems to be emphasizing the wizarding world's attitude about muggles and non-wizard magical beings.
Do you think JKR will ever publish the answers to the tests anywhere? Maybe we should write another open letter and ask all the exam questions to see how she answers? (Just kidding... well, mostly kidding......)
- Oct 6, 2006 5:17 pm (#4 of 169)
Edited Oct 6, 2006 6:18 pm
I think with the first test the majority of the answers could be found in the books.This test was different,I think very few of the answers could be found in the books.
- Oct 7, 2006 1:59 am (#5 of 169)
Was Grade 2 really more difficult that Grade 1?
I think I found Grade 2 easier than Grade 1 (and my results reflect that--E for 2, A for 1). I seem to remember Grade 1 taking me a lot longer, too. I'd like to chalk that up to the time spent here on the Lex Forum, but I actually spent a lot more time here six months ago than I do now.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, "I dunno."
--Mike
- Oct 7, 2006 4:33 am (#6 of 169)
Edited Oct 7, 2006 5:36 am
I agree that Grade 1 took a lot longer to complete, Mike. But then again, with this one, I deliberately decided to just go through it quickly and not agonize over all the possible "meanings" for each question like I did the first one; I just put down my first "gut" answer. And I ended up with an O, while I got an E the last time. (Which really makes me wonder if the grading system isn't just totally random, because I seriously did not know what I felt was a great majority of the answers.)
I did feel that both versions contained a LOT of questions that seemed to me to be very subjective. Or at least the questions weren't very cut and dried -- there were a lot of "Well, if this had just happened, then the answer would be such-and-such, but if that had just happened, then the answer would be something else." (Being an ESTJ, I absolutely hate that kind of test...)
During the Grade 1, I think I just kept trying to "force" the test -- I went over and over the questions trying to figure out the one correct way she was trying to phrase it. After reading everyone else's comments post-test that they felt she deliberately worded them vaguely, I decided that this is the kind of test that just can't be "right" or "wrong" but is very subjective, and so I took Grade 2 accordingly.
They are fun to take because they get you to think of things that you might not normally, but they are also very frustrating to somebody like me who wants one right answer.
I would really like to see her answers and the logic she used to arrive at them someday. She's probably not likely to do that, though, because we fans would be arguing with her reasoning and pulling quotes out of her canon that would "prove her wrong" and she doesn't need that in her life -- she gets enough of that with every little timeline error! 
Poor woman -- talk about being under a microscope!
- Oct 7, 2006 7:53 am (#7 of 169)
I agree with journeymom. This test did emphasize the WW and it's attitudes. I felt like JKR was trying to let us know what the attitudes of the average wizard were.
For instance, the poll question on the subject that had the most complaints. I chose muggle studies. I thought that the other questions led me to believe that wizards in general don't want to hurt muggles but they do think that they are annoying in general. I think of Molly Weasley when I think of generic attitudes of wizards.
The other poll questions seemed to emphasize the idea that some wizards feel very superior to other beasts and creatures as well as muggles.
I've got to go,
Betelgeuse
- Oct 7, 2006 12:45 pm (#8 of 169)
They are fun to take because they get you to think of things that you might not normally, but they are also very frustrating to somebody like me who wants one right answer.--Madame Pince
I think this is my "problem" too. I was trying very hard to get the first one "right", while with the second one I just relaxed and went with my gut. Maybe that's her point with these tests--she's telling us to calm down and quit being so nitpicky. 
--Mike
- Oct 7, 2006 4:54 pm (#9 of 169)
Count me in on the "tried harder on the first one and just relaxed on the second" bandwagon. I took one look at some of the questions this go around and knew I couldn't possibly know the right answers, so I just eliminated the choices I could and picked one from the rest. And I got an "E" the first time and and "O" this time! Go figure! 
cindysuewho45 - Oct 10, 2006 11:27 pm (#10 of 169)
Hi all, I too feel that grade 1 was longer than grade 2. I liked them both, but liked the longer one, or grade 1 more. I just got back from JKR's site and found out that I got a EE on grade 2. this was also what I had for grade 1. I was also very happy to see that it will only be a few months before we get our 3rd and last test. That is, I was happy about how fast we will be getting the 3rd test. I am not that happy about it being the last one. Talk to you all latter.
Phelim Mcintyre
- Jun 14, 2007 3:41 am (#11 of 169)
OK - have just taken test three. Very different to WOMBATs one and two. Am interested to see what the answers are.
- Jun 14, 2007 4:07 am (#12 of 169)
Taking that test served as a reminder to me just how imaginative JKR is. I now hold high expectations for DH and I feel assured that she'll deliver.
- Jun 14, 2007 7:11 am (#13 of 169)
One this is for sure, JKR has a rich history to the wizarding world. Ghost rebellions, pureblood uprisings, elf rights legislation. . . This exam wanted us to think about three things, I believe: 1. The implications of rights (or lack of) for non-human magical beings; 2. The limits and capabilities of magic; and 3. Ways to combat the ill effects of various forms of magic.
I feel these issues will come up in the last book, even if specific historical events are not spelled out for us.
I like your theory, Gina!
I just took the test for a second time. I changed a surprising number of my answers. I hope I didn't do worse! The most difficult ones were the magical theory (section 2?). I was trying to think back to what we learnt in the books, but they couldn't help that much. By far the most fun was the history section.
- Jun 14, 2007 7:36 am (#15 of 169)
Edited Jun 14, 2007 8:37 am
I agree.I think elf rights will be a biggy although I didn't answer the questions as such. I noticed at the beginning of the test Jo said that if we answered some of the questions wrong it would cost us points. I am wondering if the notion to destroy all darkarts spell books is a big no no. It would be taking away someone elses rights.Ya know what I mean?
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+ WOMBAT exams - general discussion