ABSTRACT
Dyscalculia and maths anxiety go hand in hand and it would be remiss not to focus on the prevalence and impact of maths anxiety on pupil well-being and attainment. Whilst the prevalence of dyscalculia is around 5–8% of the population, a much greater percentage of people struggle with maths anxiety. In some ways, one could argue that maths anxiety is a greater problem than dyscalculia. It certainly affects a larger number of people and is not only found in struggling learners. Maths anxiety has also been defined asthe panic, helplessness, paralysis, and mental disorganization that arises among some people when they are required to solve a mathematical problem. Maths anxiety can range in severity from feelings of mild anxiety to a profound and debilitating fear of maths. If not addressed at an early stage the anxiety is very likely to snowball. Giving timed tests can be one of the biggest triggers of maths anxiety.
