Math is usually assessed via quizzes and tests where you have to show your work, which makes it easier for the teacher to tell if you are getting it. It's a lot

Math is usually assessed via quizzes and tests where you have to show your work, which makes it easier for the teacher to tell if you are getting it. It's a lot harder to assess whether a student has read a novel -- you basically have to make them write a paper on it (and be aware of what they would get from Cliffs notes). Grading papers is a ton of work, and that limits that technique. Also, it's easy to see if someone is using a calculator. But needing to show your work makes that less of an issue anyhow.