🧠Category 1:Math Anxiety Basics
What is math anxiety?
Feeling nervous or worried about math that makes it hard to focus or remember steps.
What are the Four Horsemen of negative self-talk?
The Worrier, the Victim, the Critic, and the Perfectionist.
Define 🕒 Spaced Repetition
Study a little each day instead of all at once.
Example: Review notes for 30–60 minutes daily instead of cramming all night.
Helps you remember more and stay calm.
What should you do instead of cramming?
Review for 30–60 minutes each day before a test.
What is a variable in math?
A letter that stands for a number we don’t know yet.
Name one physical sign of math anxiety.
Fast heartbeat, sweaty palms, stomachache, or “brain freeze.”
What does the Worrier usually think or say?
“What if I mess up?” or “I can’t do this.”
Define 🧠 Active Recall
Practice remembering info instead of just rereading it.
Example: Close your notes and explain the steps in your own words.
Name one healthy way to calm test stress.
Breathe deeply, move around, or take a short break.
In y = 2x + 3, which is the independent variable?
x
Name one behavioral sign of math anxiety.
Avoiding math work, giving up, or saying “I’m bad at math.”
What does the Critic focus on?
Mistakes—saying things like “That’s wrong.”
Define ✏️ Self-Quizzing
Test yourself without looking at your notes.
Example: Make your own quiz or practice questions.
What does positive self-talk sound like?
“I can do this,” “I’ll take it one step at a time.”
In y = 2x + 3, which is the dependent variable?
y, because it changes based on x.
How can math anxiety affect your brain during a test?
It makes memory and problem-solving harder to use.
What does the Perfectionist believe?
They must be perfect or they’ve failed.
Define 🔄 Interleaving
Mix different types of problems in one study session.
Example: Instead of only fractions, mix in word problems, decimals, and percentages to practice switching strategies.
How can self-quizzing help you study?
It trains your brain to recall information without notes.
When solving an equation, why do we do the same operation on both sides?
To keep the equation balanced and make sure both sides stay equal.
What are two ways to calm math anxiety?
Deep breathing, positive self-talk, breaks, or asking for help.
How can you defeat one of the Four Horsemen?
Replace negative thoughts with kind ones, relax, or set realistic goals.
Define the 🗣️ Feynman Technique
To really understand something, try teaching it.
Method: Write the topic and explain it like you’re teaching a friend. Review and fill in gaps if you get stuck.
Why is sleep important before a math test?
It helps your brain focus and remember what you studied.
How can math anxiety affect problem-solving steps like PEMDAS?
It can make you forget steps, rush, or doubt your answers
— slowing down and breathing helps you focus again.