Maths GCSE 2024

Just over a week to go to the first round of Maths GCSE!

It is most likely this is the first time your children will sit a national exam and we, as teachers and parents, continuously remind them how crucial these are for their career and entire future. While we only aim to emphasize the importance and motivate them, we can also cause significant stress. Of course, this applies to all GCSE, however, maths holds a special place, being often considered one of the most challenging subjects and certainly not one of the best liked. And it is compulsory. So, emotions will be running high.

While exam stress can feel overwhelming, it is important to recognize that stress is not always detrimental. There are some surprising positive effects of stress during an exam. A moderate level of stress can lead to a release of stress hormones like adrenaline, which can sharpen your attention and focus. Further, the stress response triggers increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, which can enhance memory and problem-solving. During revision and exams, moderate stress can increase motivation and determination.

Excessive stress, however, can negatively affect not only the performance during an exam but also mental health and well-being in general. Maths, unfortunately, is a subject that is likely to cause excessive stress and anxiety.

What is maths anxiety?

Maths anxiety refers to a negative emotional reaction to mathematics, leading to varying degrees of helplessness, panic and mental disorganization that arises among some people when faced with a mathematical problem. Anything connected to maths might trigger a panic reaction, which blocks the ability to think and access knowledge. Maths anxiety is found to impede the ongoing, task-relevant activities of working memory which is crucial in maths computations and problem-solving.

What causes maths anxiety?

Research has found that maths anxiety can occur even in children as young as 6 years old. It is sad to think that children experience such negative emotions when they start learning basic number skills and these often persist into secondary school and beyond. Often maths becomes too abstract too early before children can truly grasp the concepts. There is a consistent demand for children to memorize facts and procedures instead of developing conceptual understanding. This is not helped by the pressure put on teachers to move forward with the curriculum. In addition, children are asked to perform under time pressure (weekly mental maths tests) with results revealed in front of their peers, leaving them very exposed and worried. They enter the vicious circle of reduced confidence and maths avoidance, limiting their learning and performance and increasing their negative attitude and anxiety. However, it is important to recognize that maths anxiety is not solely linked to ability. Studies show that many high-achieving students could also be greatly affected. To overcome their maths anxiety, students will need support and tools to build their confidence and resilience alongside the task of tackling maths.

In this exam period, parents play a crucial role and there are ways to support your children navigate their GCSE journey. In the first place, be aware of the signs of stress. This can manifest itself as constant worry, tension, headaches, stomach pain, poor sleep and irritability, and task avoidance. Keep open communication and validate their fears; worries and stress are normal and shouldn’t be downplayed. Instead, reassure them that you are there for them. Avoid installing feelings of fear, desperation, or disappointment. Help them get organized. Some top tips here: routine is essential which means the plan needs to be sustainable. Otherwise, it might set them up for failure even before they have started. Create mind maps, which would help them visualize their tasks or checklists to keep track of the weekly studying. As schedules might get very busy, do colour code to make sure what has the highest priority and what is “would be nice to have done” each day or week. This could help them chunk up their work and conquer small tasks! Small victories will help them embrace bigger challenges and develop a growth mindset. Keep reminding them that everything will be ok.