• Saturday, May 09, 2026

Dyscalculia can have two causes: brain damage — ‘acquired dyscalculia’— and developmental dyscalculia — dyscalculia from birth. Whichever the cause, dyscalculia has three features: problems with mathematics; problems with mathematics only, not other areas of learning; and the assumption that these problems are rooted in brain activity. Unlike dyslexia — difficulties with words, dyscalculia has been relatively little studied until recently. Very little is known about its causes, prevalence, or how to treat it. Estimates indicate that between 3% and 6% of the population could be affected. The figures refer to children who only have difficulties with maths but have good or excellent performance in other areas of learning.

These questions test your ability to identify specific facts.

Match each feature to one of four categories: (A) Reasons for being bad at maths, (B) Plasticity, (C) Dyscalculia, or (D) Treatment of dyscalculia. 23. D (Treatment) : Limiting maths teaching to short periods is mentioned as a good teaching approach. 24. A (Reasons) unmotivated

: Subtle changes in definitions, like in the subitizing question, are common.

The text might say dyscalculia is as common as dyslexia, but the question might claim it is more common. If the comparison isn't explicit, the answer is "Not Given." 3. Sentence Completion

arithmetic / calculations : Sufferers struggle with basic arithmetic.

The IELTS Academic Reading passage titled explores a specific learning difficulty in mathematics that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and basic arithmetic. Unlike dyslexia, which impacts reading, dyscalculia specifically disrupts brain areas involved in mathematical cognition. Article Summary and Key Concepts

The reading text structures its exploration of the learning disability across several distinct paragraphs. To effectively answer the questions, candidates must first grasp the core concepts highlighted by the author:

According to the passage and related IELTS answers, symptoms often manifest in childhood but can persist into adulthood:

The reading passage often appears in various IELTS practice tests. Based on common versions of this text (such as those found on IELTSMaterial and IELTSReading.info ), the answers typically focus on defining the condition and its origins. Answer Key for "What is Dyscalculia" (Common Questions)

: One explanation provided is the lack of an inherited innate capability (the "number sense").