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Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia: what it is and how to study smart with it

With dyscalculia, numbers and sums stay hard however much you practise. That says nothing about how clever you are. Here you can read what dyscalculia is, how to recognise it, what helps and what StudyWorld can do for you.

In short

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty in which arithmetic and working with numbers stay persistently hard, despite good teaching and plenty of practice. It says nothing about intelligence. Studying goes better with step-by-step working, a calculator, formula cards and extra time in tests.

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Geography

Help with numbers is on

A town has 12 500 inhabitants. 34 live in the centre. How many people is that?

Calculator

12 500 ÷ 4

= 3 125

Step by step

  1. 1Divide 12 500 by 4. That gives you one quarter.
  2. 2Take that result 3 times.
  3. 3That last calculation is yours to do.

What is dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty in which arithmetic stays hard, even with good lessons and plenty of practice. It is mainly about remembering and using number facts, such as times tables, quickly and correctly, and about working with numbers.

It is not the same as disliking maths. Somebody with dyscalculia can be very good at other subjects and often understands the explanation, but gets lost in the numbers themselves.

Dyscalculia does not go away. With tools, a fixed approach and enough time you can get much better at working with numbers, also in subjects such as economics, physics or geography.

Assessment and help at school

Think you might have dyscalculia? Talk to your parents, your maths teacher or the student support team. Only a specialist can diagnose dyscalculia after an assessment.

In Belgium you can go to your school's CLB. In the Netherlands a registered specialist can give you a dyscalculia statement after an assessment.

With a statement your school can agree on adjustments, such as a calculator, a formula sheet, extra time or exams without time pressure. Ask what is possible at your school.

Tips for studying with dyscalculia

There is no trick that works for everybody. Try these tips and keep what suits you.

  • Write down every step

    Do not calculate in your head. Put each step under the last one, so you can see where it goes wrong.

  • Say what is being asked first

    Before you start, answer two questions: what do I already know, and what do I need to find?

  • Use a calculator when allowed

    Then your energy goes into understanding the question, not into the arithmetic itself.

  • Make your own formula sheet

    Put formulas, tables and an example on one page. Using the same page every time helps you remember it.

  • Make numbers visible

    Draw a fraction as a pizza or a percentage as a bar. A drawing makes a number concrete.

  • Check with an estimate

    Could the answer be roughly right? If 3/4 of 12,500 comes out bigger than 12,500, something went wrong.

  • Practise little and often

    Ten minutes a day works better than two hours the night before the exam. Start with what you can already do and build up.

  • Practise without a clock first

    Time pressure makes sums harder. Only try to go faster once the method is solid.

At no extra cost

Dyscalculia tools: maths support and clearer numbers

Tick 'Help with numbers' when you create your account, or turn it on later in Settings. It costs nothing extra.

  • Clearer numbers

    Numbers stand out, large numbers are grouped in threes and fractions are stacked, the way you write them on paper.

  • A calculator with every sum

    On questions that involve calculating, you open a calculator with big buttons. You see the result while you type.

  • Step by step with the AI tutor

    The AI tutor sets out the steps and leaves the last calculation to you. The answer is not given away.

  • Practice exams without a clock

    With help with numbers on, a practice exam starts without a time limit. You can still choose a time yourself.

  • Sums read aloud as words

    With read-aloud on, 3/4 is read as 'three divided by four' and x² as 'x squared'.

  • Practice until it sticks

    What you get wrong comes back later in a different form, until you really have it.

Help with numbers only appears on questions that involve calculating. Other questions stay calm.

Frequently asked questions about dyscalculia

What is the difference between dyscalculia and being bad at maths?

With dyscalculia the basics, such as times tables and simple sums, stay hard even after lots of practice and good explanations. Somebody who has simply not practised much, or has not understood a chapter yet, usually makes quick progress with extra help.

Can you have dyscalculia and dyslexia at the same time?

Yes, that happens. In StudyWorld you can turn on help with reading and help with numbers together.

Can I use a calculator if I have dyscalculia?

That depends on what your school agrees. With a statement it is often allowed. In StudyWorld you can open a calculator on every question that involves calculating.

Does help with numbers in StudyWorld cost extra?

No. It costs nothing extra. The AI tutor that helps you step by step is part of your free week and of StudyWorld Unlimited.

Can StudyWorld tell me whether I have dyscalculia?

No. StudyWorld does not diagnose anything. Only a specialist can do that after an assessment. Talk to your school about it.

Read more and find help

These organisations give reliable information and can help you further (mostly in Dutch):

Last updated:

Also read: dyslexia and studying

This page gives general information. It does not replace an assessment or advice from a specialist.

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