Analysis of mathematics anxiety of junior high school students

Abstract

Mathematics anxiety (MA) is a feeling of depression and fear when someone is faced with a mathematical problem. MA can affect student achievement in mathematics. This study aims to determine MA of junior high school students. The method used in this research is descriptive. The sample of this study was 94 students of junior high school. MA instruments are modified from some valid and reliable test MA. The results showed that the MA of junior high school students was at a moderate level. Increased anxiety occurs in grade 8. The greatest student anxiety occurs when students are facing math tests and when completing math tasks. Students feel insecure when solving math problems, because students only memorize mathematical formulas and do not understand its meaning. The material in mathematics textbooks cannot be understood well by students. MA increases as students go to higher classes, and generally students do not want to have a career in the future associated with mathematics. Teachers have an important role in reducing the level of MA. Knowing about MA experienced by students is the first step of the teacher to make efforts to minimize MA.