Is this an easy A?
FairEffort
55/100Some students call it an easy A because of , and , but many say the real cost is heavy self-study and tough tests.
The one , while in-person reviews are mixed between easy-grade opportunities and .
STATISTICS · MATH212 · MATH1A · M11 · STATS10D · MATH27 · MATH112 · MATH1B · MATH49A · MATH210 · MATH10 · TRIG50 · MATH12 · MATH114 · MATH51 · 76 lifetime ratings
The decision
Key questions
Is this an easy A?
Some students call it an easy A because of curves, prep tests, and extra credit, but many say the real cost is heavy self-study and tough tests.
The one online review reports tough tests, while in-person reviews are mixed between easy-grade opportunities and serious self-study.
Is the course easy?
Math content may be manageable for prepared students, but unclear lectures make the course feel much harder.
Online and in-person evidence both point to tough learning conditions, with far more in-person evidence.
Is attendance flexible?
Some reviews say attendance is mandatory or important, while others say attendance is not part of the grade.
The one online review says attendance was not mandatory, while many in-person reviews describe attendance as required or important.
Is this professor recommended?
Most students warn against taking him because they find the teaching unclear and the class frustrating.
The online review is weakly negative, and the in-person reviews are strongly negative overall.
Course guide
Grading
Fair
52/100
Curves, extra credit, and practice tests can help, but tough grading and high-stakes exams are also common complaints.
Format shift
In-person reviews provide most grading evidence; the online review only says tests are tough.
Workload
Heavy
34/100
Formal homework can be light, but the practical workload is heavy because students often must read and self-teach.
Format shift
Online and in-person comments both support extra reading or self-study.
Teaching experience
Poor
24/100
The dominant pattern is unclear, rambling, disorganized teaching despite signs that he knows math.
Format shift
The online review is brief but negative, while many in-person reviews give detailed negative teaching evidence.
Assessment method
FocusOnExams
82/100
Reviews repeatedly mention tests, finals, practice exams, quizzes, curves, and extra credit as central to grades.
Format shift
Both formats mention tests, but in-person reviews give much richer assessment detail.
Luni fit check
Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.
Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.
Course format
Classroom format
High confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro
In-person reviews overwhelmingly describe confusing lectures, self-study, and mixed grading relief from curves or extra credit.
Main concern
Students often say they cannot learn well from lecture and must rely on the book, tutors, or exam guides.
What students said
“Don't take his classes unless you have no problem teaching yourself or have no other choice.”
“Class is very much self-study”
Remote format
Low confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro
The single online review reports long lectures and tough tests.
Main concern
Tests are tough and reading is required.
What students said
“Lectures are long Tests are tough Get ready to read”
Exam style
many students say tests are tough, but practice tests, curves, and extra credit can make grades recoverable.
Assessment risk
Varies
45/100
Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.
In-person reviews mention tough tests, exam guides, practice tests, finals, curves, and extra credit, but do not clearly prove book or proctoring policy.
“Test were difficult if you didn't study.”
“He literally gives you "exam preps" (which are p much the exam) the class before your tests.”
“The exams and final are worth a lot of points.”
The online review says tests are tough but does not clearly prove proctoring, camera, Lockdown Browser, open-book, or final format.
“Lectures are long Tests are tough Get ready to read”
Student evidence
Top student voice
“Don't take his classes unless you have no problem teaching yourself or have no other choice.”
“Professor Phelps is very difficult to understand.”
“Be prepared to teach yourself because that's basically what this class is about”
“Whatever you do, DON'T TAKE HIM.”
Theme 1
Theme 2
Theme 3
Data context
Analysis sample
50
Recent reviews read by the AI
76
Lifetime ratings
84/100
Evidence confidence
There are 50 reviews across many years with strong consistency around unclear teaching and self-study risk.
Inside 50 stored ratings
Reported outcomes
12 reported outcomes
A+ 2 · A 1 · A- 1
B+ 1 · B 3
No reported values
No reported values
No reported values
Incomplete 1 · Not sure yet 2 · Not_Sure_Yet 1