Get started with Mastering™

• Each assignment contains one or more "items" —
  When you open an assignment select an item link to work on its questions.
• Items contain part questions (Part A, B, and so on) —
  If you run out of answer attempts or choose Request Answer, these help you to complete an item, but don't increase your item score.
• One or more chances to answer each question —
  Check the grading policy for the assignment to see how many times you can try to answer each of its questions. You cannot go back to change any submitted answer.
• Some questions provide hints and feedback. —
  Hints can be a clue or a simpler question to help you answer the main part question. If you answer incorrectly, you may receive coaching feedback.

• To complete an assignment —
  Finish ALL of its for-credit items, or all extra credit items if there are no for-credit items. For the most credit, check the grading policy before you start an assignment.
• Stop and restart an assignment —
  All of your submitted answers are saved. Finish an assignment later as long as it's still available. Special rules apply to timed assignments.
• How to answer different kinds of assignment questions, such as how to draw molecules.

How to enter math and chemical equation answers

To enter math expressions or chemical equations, select toolbar options for formats and symbols or select  Keyboard shortcuts to enter answers from your keyboard, which can be faster.

• Enter * for the multiplication sign and don't use commas for large numbers like 2648.
• Spaces are not allowed. Use arrow keys to navigate in your answer.
• Arguments of trigonometric functions must be in radians, unless the question tells you to answer in degrees.
• To enter a numeric value with a unit, abbreviate the units and don't add a period after the unit. Units are case-sensitive. See the recognized units list
• Grading tolerance and significant figures —
  For grading tolerance, your numeric answer usually must be within 2% or 3% of the correct answer. For significant figures, use at least 3 digits in your answers. For multiple calculations, keep the significant figures as you work and round only at the end.

Select Scores to review all of your Mastering assignment scores.

• Availability of scores —
  Each item score is usually available as soon as Mastering grades your answers. Scores for essays and Freehand Grader assignments take longer.
• A score can change during the course.
  A score can be affected by changes your instructor makes later, like removing an item or giving the class credit for a troublesome question.
• Multiple attempts for a best score —
  The best score from a multiple attempt assignment shows on your Scores page after the due date. To see the scores for all of your attempts, open the assignment.
• Your instructor can hide the display of your scores for assignment items, individual assignments, and/or your total score for the course. Check back later in case scores are hidden temporarily.
• "Weighted" averages can affect your total score.
  For example, homework assignments may count for more than quizzes. Your total score is an average of all your Mastering assignment scores, based on any weighting plan.

Read and study more flexibly. Listen to the audiobook, add notes and highlights, create flashcards, and more. How to open the Pearson eTextbook and get the Pearson+ app for your eTextbook for tablets and smartphones. (The eTextbook was formerly known as eText.)

Watch bite-sized video explanations of complex topics and practice answering questions. Mastering students receive access to Channels. (May not be available for all fields of study or textbooks.)

• From the course menu, select the eText option, then Explore Channels.
• After you open the eText from your course, select   Channels – watch our videos.
• You can also access Channels from Pearson+.

Open the Study Area for study activities, videos, investigations, practice quizzes/texts, links to the eTextbook (formerly known as eText), and more. Availability and resources vary by textbook.

Based on brain science research, Dynamic Study Modules help you to study and remember what you learn. You can use Dynamic Study Modules to study on your own or they may be assigned for credit.

Based on any weaknesses identified in your assignment performance, the items in an Adaptive Follow-Up assignment provide another chance for you to learn or practice similar material.

The Course Home provides a link (upper right) if your instructor wants you to participate in Learning Catalytics activities. If it does, you may be asked to join a Learning Catalytics session during class on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Instructors may allow you to review past Mastering standard assignments or to rework items for practice. Consider reviewing completed assignments that provided answer feedback and hints.