Exceeds Expectations

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.

Entering N.E.W.T. Classes
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. Snape required an 'Outstanding' from his Potions students.

Other grades
Passing Grades
 * O - Outstanding
 * E - Exceeds Expectations
 * A - Acceptable

Failing Grades
 * P - Poor
 * D - Dreadful
 * T - Troll

Known recipients

 * Harry Potter
 * Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L.
 * Charms O.W.L.
 * Herbology O.W.L.
 * Potions O.W.L.
 * Transfiguration O.W.L.
 * Hermione Granger
 * Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.
 * Ron Weasley
 * Potions O.W.L.
 * Transfiguration O.W.L.
 * Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.
 * Charms O.W.L.
 * Herbology O.W.L.
 * Neville Longbottom
 * Charms O.W.L.
 * Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.

Behind the scenes

 * 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.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)