WebAssign vs MyMathLab: how the two homework platforms differ

Who makes WebAssign and MyMathLab?

Two different publishers. WebAssign belongs to Cengage, which calls it “Cengage's Learning Platform that gives instructors full control of their courses” and says it is “Designed for STEM courses” (Cengage). MyMathLab belongs to Pearson, which now calls it MyLab Math. Pearson’s older student help still says “MyMathLab” (Pearson help), and the old mymathlab.com address now redirects to Pearson’s MyLab Math page. We checked that redirect on October 20, 2026.

Both are sold with a textbook. Cengage describes multi-term access as access “to courses using the same textbook edition” (Cengage help), and Pearson lists the titles it offers “through MyLab Math.” So your course’s textbook decides which platform you use.

How do retries work on each one?

On WebAssign, a retry is a submission. Cengage’s submission help says “Each time you submit answers to WebAssign, you use a submission,” and “After you use all of your allowed submissions, you can't change your answers, even if the assignment due date has not passed.” The Assignment Submission rule at the top of the assignment sets how they are counted. Under the question parts rule, “the number of submissions for each answer box is counted independently,” and parts you did not change use no submission.

Many WebAssign questions also change their numbers. Some assignments make you request a new randomization after a set number of submissions, and Cengage notes that a new randomization “doesn't change the overall number of submissions allowed” (randomization help).

On MyLab Math, retries are counted per step. Pearson’s homework help says a question is complete “when you answer correctly or when you have used the number of tries allowed (usually three) for each step in the question.” After that you can click Similar Exercise or Try Again to practice with new values, but “Your score on the question (correct or incorrect) is determined by your most recent attempt.” A new version you get wrong can replace one you got right.

Which one gives partial credit?

WebAssign scores each part of a question. Its points table “displays the number of points earned followed by the number of points possible for each question part” (Cengage help), and Cengage’s multi-part help tells you to “answer every part of a multiple-part question to receive full credit.” Its partial credit page lists other cases, such as “a numerically correct answer with the wrong number of significant figures” or bonus and penalty points your instructor sets. The exception is a mastery question set, which “is graded as one question, and partial credit is not possible.”

MyLab Math is all or nothing unless your instructor changes it. Pearson’s grading help says your instructor “can allow you to earn partial credit for a question that has multiple parts. If partial credit is not available, you receive the question's full point value if your answer is completely correct; otherwise the question is scored as incorrect.” Our MyLab attempts and partial credit guide covers the details.

How do you enter math answers on each?

WebAssign has a separate tool for each kind of answer. Its question types list includes mathPad, calcPad and physPad for expressions, chemPad for chemical formulas, graphing and NumberLine questions, and Marvin JS and JME for drawing chemical structures. Some questions also check units or significant figures, so a right number in the wrong form can lose points.

MyLab Math uses one player. Pearson’s help says “The math player is used for all online math courses,” and you use the math palette “to enter special mathematical formats and symbols (for example, fractions and square roots)” (Pearson help). Some questions ask you to plot on a number line or a graph. Pearson also tells you to make sure “your answer is fully simplified.”

What happens at the due date?

On WebAssign, saving and submitting are separate. “Your answers are automatically saved,” but “Your answers are not automatically submitted for untimed assignments” (Cengage help). On a timed assignment, when time reaches zero “all of your responses are automatically submitted” (timed assignment help). Due dates follow WebAssign’s server clock: “You can't submit work after the assignment due date, regardless of the time displayed on your computer.” Our WebAssign auto-submit guide goes further.

On MyLab Math, homework scores as you go: “Your score is automatically updated in your instructor's Gradebook each time you complete a question.” Once the due date passes, a test or quiz link is disabled, and homework you can still open can be reviewed, “but you can't work on it for a score” (Homework and Tests help). If no time is shown, the assignment is due at 11:59 PM on that date.

Do WebAssign and MyMathLab work inside Canvas?

Both can, if your school set up the connection. Cengage’s WebAssign student help lists video tutorials for opening WebAssign from Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas and Moodle. Pearson says its LMS integration “works with Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Moodle, Schoology and Sakai,” with single sign-on, grade sync from MyLab and Mastering into the LMS gradebook, and assignment links.

Either way, you click an assignment link in Canvas and the publisher’s site opens. The work itself happens on Cengage’s or Pearson’s platform, under that platform’s rules.

What does each one cost students?

Both sell access tied to your course’s textbook, so the price depends on the course. Cengage’s help says “In most cases, you also have to purchase access to the class” (Cengage help). It also offers multi-term access, which it calls “usually the most cost-effective way to purchase access for a multi-term course.” A Cengage Unlimited subscription covers “All of Cengage's Learning Platforms (MindTap, WebAssign, SAM, CNOWv2 and OWLv2)” for 1 term (4 months) or 2 terms (12 months), and it does not auto-renew.

Pearson’s help says “To access your course, make sure you have a student access code, which is provided with your textbook” (Pearson help). Your course’s registration page or bookstore shows the price that applies to you.

Where does WeBWorK fit?

Some math departments use a third option. The WeBWorK Project calls WeBWorK “an open-source online homework system for math and science courses,” supported by the MAA and the NSF, with an Open Problem Library of over 35,000 problems (openwebwork.org). A nonprofit volunteer project maintains it, and it does not come with a publisher’s textbook. If your course uses it, your instructor gives you the class link. What Silent Student does in a problem set is on its WeBWorK page.