Maths Anxiety Test
Maths anxiety kicks in from a very early age but it can easily be stopped with a few simple adjustments. If you have maths anxiety don’t let your children suffer the same stress and anxiety.
We believe if you teach maths using pictures and stories rather than numbers then maths anxieties fads away to be replaced with new found confidence and happiness when approaching mathematics.
YEARS OF MATHS STRESS, WORRY, ANXIETY AND FEAR CAN BE AVOIDED IF APPROACHED IN A NEW WAY. SEE SOLUTIONS BELOW.
Maths anxiety test
If the answers to below Maths Anxiety Test questions are ‘YES’ then you probably do have maths anxiety.
DO NOT FEAR If you do have maths anxiety we have suggestions below to concur this fear.
Maths lessons are EXCRUCIATING . You would do anything for the teacher not to ask you a question : YES / NO.
If the teacher did ask you a question in front of the class you’d nearly pee your pants with fright as you’re convinced your answer would be WRONG : YES / NO.
Times Table tests were/ are a weekly reminder of how RUBBISH you were at maths and how everyone else was brilliant : YES / NO.
You NEVER ask questions in math lessons because the teachers explanations don’t make sense : YES / NO.
You ZONE OUT in maths lessons because nothing makes sense, easier to zone out than try and get everything wrong :YES / NO.
You have NIGHTMARES about the teacher asking you to come to the board and work out a maths problem : YES / NO.
You understand bits of maths but trying to put it all together somehow you PANIC and everything goes wrong : YES / NO.
Maths tests are your biggest FEAR : YES / NO.
“How the hell do you study for a maths test?” Maths REVISION doesn’t make sense. YES / NO.
In maths lessons things make sense but once HOME it’s like you never attended the class “I don’t remember anything!!!!” : YES / NO
MOSTLY YES? READ BELOW TO FIND OUT WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?
So why do you suffer maths anxiety and what can you do about it? According to research from University of Minnesota, “Once the fear pathways are ramped up, the brain short-circuits more rational processing paths.” Eg when you are scared all rational thought goes out the window! So in maths classes as soon as you get scared no longer can you think about anything in a rational way.
However there is a process called ‘Fear Extinction’ which is overcoming a fear memory. All you have to do is replace horrible thoughts with good ones. Below is our personal 5 Day Plan however if you have extreme anxiety we suggest you see a professional psychologist or therapist.
5 DAY PROGRAM to eradicate maths fears.
BEFORE YOU START - COMPLETE THE BELOW Times Table & dividing SUMS AND SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU TO complete, REPEAT THE PROCESS AFTER 5 DAYS Program
DAY 1 MATHS ANXIETY TEST SOLUTIONS : Time yourself, MANTRA & WRITe down fears
1. Time yourself doing below maths sums and note your time and stress levels.
2. Mantra : Repeat to yourself 10 x “I love Maths, I love Maths, I love Maths” - you will not believe this but repeat it anyway as it will send subconscious signal to the brain that will reduce fear. Do this once in the morning and once at night.
3. Write down all your maths fears and anxieties and think of rational solutions to those fears. Scientist now know that the act of writing down fears will increase your maths test results. If you are helping your child overcome their maths anxiety let them have a look at the examples below.
Example 1 :
Write down fear : “My teacher is always cross with me because I get maths questions wrong.”
Rational solution : “My teacher may not have been great at explaining maths in the way I needed to understand. If I find a different approach I might be better at maths.”
Example 2 :
Write down fear : “My Mum and I are bad at maths there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Write down rational solution : “Brains are like plants, if you feed them the right food they can grow and change. If you don’t feed they wither and die. So if you feed and help your maths brain it will grow and get better. Science has proven that this is true of everyone.
DAY 2 MATHS ANXIETY TEST SOLUTIONS : MANTRA & TIMES TABLES
1. Mantra : Repeat to yourself 10 x “My maths brain is growing and I WILL be BRILLIANT at MATHS” - again you won’t believe this but that doesn’t matter because your subconscious brain will hear and believe it and reduce anxiety. Do this once in the morning and once at night.
2. Times Tables : REPLACE 10 MINS OF SOCIAL MEDIA WITH 10 MINS OF TIMES TABLE & DIVIDING THAT MAKES SENSE TO YOU AND DOESN’T CAUSE MORE STRESS!
We recommend Table Fables as it takes ALL FEAR out of learning maths as it uses animation and comedy stories (including farts and poo!) to teach. Start on your 3 & 4 Times Table & Dividing.
Basic maths principles are a must. If you don’t have a solid grasp of your times table and dividing facts then your mathematical journey will stall.
DAY 3 MATHS ANXIETY TEST SOLUTIONS: BREATHING & TIMES TABLE
Before you do your daily 10 minutes of Times Table and Dividing we need to remove the anxiety that blocks your brain from functioning properly.
Scientists have continuously proven if the area of the brain that controls stress is activated then other areas of the brain cease to function properly.
So when you get anxious about maths then the mathematical area of your brain isn’t working at full capacity, no wonder maths is hard. So let’s begin by removing the stress.
1. Breathing is the easiest and best way to remove stress and Wim Hof is having considerable success. Wim Hof himself seems rather eccentric but scientists have proven his technique works and various celebrities have used his method including Jim Carrey, Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise. Wim Hof himself has broken 21 Guinness World Records and climbed close to the top of Everest in only his shorts, having to give up because of a foot injury, not the cold!!
Whether you use the Wim Hof method or another breathing exercise we need to get your anxiety levels down so your maths brain can function properly.
2. Basic Maths - 10 minutes of maths practice that uses images rather than numbers so your brain doesn't become anxious when faced with maths questions. Concentrate on 6 & 7 Times Table & Dividing.
DAY 4 MATHS ANXIETY TEST SOLUTIONS : MANTRA, BREATHING & TIMES TABLE
1. Mantra - Repeat 10 x morning and night “I’m brilliant at maths”.
2. Breathing - Either use Wim Hof Method or another breathing technique to reduce stress.
3. Basic Maths - 10 minutes of maths practice that uses images rather numbers so your brain doesn't become anxious when faced with maths questions. Concentrate on 8, 9 & 12 Times Table & Dividing.
DAY 5 MATHS ANXIETY TEST SOLUTIONS: MANTRA, BREATH & Retest yourself
.1. Mantra - Repeat 10 x morning and night “I’m a maths hero”.
2. Breathing - Either use Wim Hof Method or another breathing technique to reduce stress.
3. Retest yourself with the below maths sums and compare your results with how fast you could do them on day 1.
If you have done all the steps you will have IMPROVED. If not repeat again for another 5 days. Remember to BIG YOURSELF UP - even if you don’t believe it the action of repeating a mantra to yourself that you are ‘good at maths’ will mean you improve. MIND OVER MATTER really does WORK.
Good luck and most importantly have fun so maths anxiety doesn’t cripple your learning.
