<p>Right now I'm enrolled in Math 16A with Prof Harrington. </p>
<p>I thought it would be easier than the math classes but harrington has a weired grading policy. The max you can get on 2 midterms and the first part of the final is a B+. The second part of the final which covers everything and will be harder are "extra credits" and they give you "bumps" (his exact words) to your grade.</p>
<p>There's comments about Harrington when he taught math 16b that his midterms and finals are pretty easy. </p>
<p>For example, if you got one bump in the second part of the final, B+ would be to an A-.</p>
<p>I have the option of taking Math 16B with WILKENING but there's bad comments about his hard finals and midterms although 85% is an A- and you can drop the lowest one. </p>
<p>What’s your calculus background? For instance I had none coming to Cal took Math 1A last semester and BOMBED it. Now I wish I’d taken Math 16A. I would say to stick with 16A… I’m assuming your a freshman?.. Meaning you have 4 years to fulfill prereqs so there shouldn’t be a rush to skip to 16B</p>
<p>Both 16A and 1A assume a great deal of proficiency in algebraic manipulation, exponents, simplifying equations, and expect you to have good intuition about the way to attack a complicated equation. The actual new calculus material, limits, integration and differentiation, are only about half of what is begin tested. You won’t get test questions with a straightforward equation to integrate or differentiate, you will get a complex one that demands all those prior skills. For some, they should really start with a precalc class to buff up those assumed skills that are a major element of the tests.</p>
<p>How hard would it be if you have an okay background in Calc (5 on the AP test). I know the classes are never easy and require studying many hours, but how are the concepts/exams in comparison to the AP tests.</p>