Researchers recently found that math test anxiety impairs performance, regardless
of the test takers actual cognitive ability to perform math problems in non-test
settings. This study shows the immense negative impact of anxiety, specifically
test anxiety, to determine how we perform in certain situations.
The study showed that excessive worry over your performance on a test might
actually lead to a lower math test score. Many people suffer specifically from
math anxiety, which is defined as feelings of fear and math avoidance. This
study found that the anxiety takes away valuable brain energy from the task
of completing complex math problems.
The brain requires memory stores to perform complex math problems. Test anxiety
uses the same area of the brain needed for these memory stores to function.
If someone is overwhelmed with math test anxiety, their memory stores will
not be as readily available to work test problems—lowering their score,
regardless of their ability to perform well on math problems in non-test situations
where the same level of worry is not present.
This study is backed up by previous studies that have shown that test anxiety
in general can lower a student’s overall score by as much as 15 points.
These previous studies not only showed test anxiety as a problem for math students.
Test anxiety can negatively affect overall test scores in a variety of subjects
including language arts.
The reason is most likely the same. Memory is required to perform well on
tests and supply correct answers. Test anxiety clouds the mind, making it harder
to recall information.
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Anxiety also makes it hard to focus on details, leaving students open to misunderstanding
what is being asked or missing a step when doing complex math tasks.
While more research is needed to find the exact causes of test anxiety, it
appears that it increases when a person believes they are incapable of performing
the task at hand, even if evidence shows they’re more than capable. It
also tends to be a problem for perfectionists who experience extreme fear at
the thought of failure.
© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.
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