A mapping model is a Core Data construct that helps define how one version of a object model is migrated to another version the object model.
A mapping model is a collection of objects that specifies the transformations that are required to migrate part of a store from one version of your model to another (for example, that one entity is renamed, an attribute is added to another, and a third split into two). You typically create a mapping model in Xcode. Much as the managed object model editor allows you to graphically create the model, the mapping model editor allows you to customize the mappings between the source and destination entities and properties.
from Core Data Model Versioning and Data Migration Programming Guide