Final answer:
Mastery learning is best suited for situations where foundational skills are essential for understanding future material, ensuring a clear and sequential understanding of knowledge which is critical in cumulative disciplines like math and science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mastery learning is most appropriate when certain skills provide the foundation for future material. This approach ensures that core conceptual understanding is achieved before moving on to more advanced topics. Students are assessed through a variety of tests and assignments to confirm their mastery of the subject. A strong factual foundation in earlier material is critical when new material builds on previous knowledge.
In contrast, while mastery learning can be applied to abstract and complex subjects, these areas may sometimes require a different emphasis in teaching strategies due to their intricate nature. When dealing with higher-order cognitive processes, such as those at the upper levels of Bloom's taxonomy, or addressing attitudes and dispositions, other pedagogical approaches may be more effective or used in conjunction with mastery learning.
Ultimately, mastery learning is particularly beneficial in settings where a sequential understanding of knowledge is necessary for student success. Strategies like breaking chapters into manageable sections, utilizing clear learning objectives, and creating customized problems help foster mastery and can be particularly advantageous in disciplines that are cumulative, such as math and science.