WebAssign vs MindTap: why Cengage sells both

Why does Cengage have both WebAssign and MindTap?

They are built for different kinds of courses. Cengage’s own platform list labels MindTap “For 65+ disciplines,” WebAssign “For Math and Sciences,” CNOWv2 “For Accounting and Tax” and OWLv2 “For Chemistry” (Cengage). WebAssign is “Designed for STEM courses.” MindTap is pitched as “one integrated learning platform” built around a Learning Path (Cengage).

In our reading, that split is why a calculus or physics class usually lands on WebAssign while courses in many other subjects use MindTap. Your syllabus or the Canvas link names the one your course uses.

How is the work laid out on each one?

WebAssign gives you assignments made of questions, and many questions have several parts. “Each part of a multiple-part question can be a different type of question,” such as fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice or mathPad (Cengage help). The scoring table shows points for each part.

MindTap gives you a learning path. Outline view “displays activities according to the structure of the textbook,” and rolling week view shows what is due each week (Cengage help). The path mixes reading activities, quizzes and other activity types. Some courses add Mastery Training, which Cengage says is “Powered by Cerego” and adapts “to each student's performance” with spaced review (Cengage help).

How do attempts and grading compare?

On WebAssign, every submission counts. “Each time you submit answers to WebAssign, you use a submission,” and once they are used up “you can't change your answers, even if the assignment due date has not passed” (Cengage help). “Most questions in WebAssign use randomized values,” so your numbers can differ from a classmate’s (Cengage help).

On MindTap, “Each answer to a question is called an attempt. Some activities give you multiple attempts to answer correctly” (Cengage help). Multiple choice, matching and true or false activities are graded automatically after each attempt. Essays, short answers and audio recordings are graded by your instructor. Watch for “Credit only” activities: “To receive credit for the activity, you must complete all sections and score 100% on each question.”

What happens at the due date?

This is where the two differ most. On WebAssign, “Your answers are automatically saved,” but “Your answers are not automatically submitted for untimed assignments” (Cengage help). Saved work you never submitted may not count. See does WebAssign submit automatically?

On MindTap, “Most activities are automatically submitted if they are in progress when the due date passes, but some are not” (Cengage help). The exceptions include InQuizitive, Learning Labs, Coding Labs and Practice Labs. Your instructor can also allow late work: “Your instructor can choose to accept late submissions for a designated period of time, but you might receive a late penalty” (Cengage help). On a credit or no-credit activity with a 20% late penalty, the only possible late scores are 80% or 0%. Our MindTap late work guide has more.

Is MindTap the same as the eBook?

No. MindTap is the course platform, and its learning path includes assigned reading activities (Cengage help). Cengage also sells eBooks on their own. For WebAssign, Cengage says “eBook access might be included with WebAssign access, eBook access might be an optional purchase, or no eBook might be available” (Cengage help). Check your course’s materials list before you buy a separate eBook.

Does Cengage Unlimited cover WebAssign and MindTap?

Yes. A student subscription gives you “All of Cengage's Learning Platforms (MindTap, WebAssign, SAM, CNOWv2 and OWLv2),” “Thousands of Cengage eBooks” and up to four textbook rentals, for “a one-time, flat price” (Cengage Unlimited). It runs 1 term (4 months) or 2 terms (12 months), and it does not auto-renew. Cengage says it “could save you money” if you were assigned more than one Cengage product. Without it, you buy access for each course; WebAssign also offers multi-term access on the same textbook edition (Cengage help).

Cengage vs Pearson: how do their platforms line up?

Pearson’s closest match to WebAssign is MyLab Math, the platform once called MyMathLab, and it also sells Mastering and Revel. The retry rules differ: MyLab Math usually gives three tries per step, while WebAssign counts submissions. WebAssign vs MyMathLab compares them line by line.