In school, most students have at least one subject they struggle with, such as math. For some kids, a few extra-help sessions and a lot of studying are all they need to catch up with the rest of the class. Others have a harder time grasping mathematical topics and develop what is known as math anxiety.

Not only can this concern cause students to freeze when doing math problems, but it can also affect their working memory, based on new research from the University of Chicago. Working memory helps individuals juggle numbers and solve math problems in their head. According to Sian Beilock, a professor of psychology at the University, it is one of the "major building blocks of IQ."

During a study of first- and second-graders, Beilock found that math anxiety has the potential to harm children who would normally be considered high-achieving students. No impact was observed among those considered to be low-performing students.

Based on the results of this study, parents of children who struggle with math anxiety may want to have them take an IQ test for kids to see if there have been any changes to their cognitive ability.