Understanding BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) and BIDMAS (Brackets, Indices, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) can be tough for Year 8 students.

Here are some of the main challenges they face:

1. Complex Operations: When students have to solve problems with many steps, it can get tricky. If they don’t remember to do the operations in the right order, they might get the wrong answer.

   For example, in the problem (2 + 3 \times (4 - 1)^2), if they don't notice that they have to solve what's in the brackets first, they could mess up the whole calculation.

2. Misunderstanding Indices: Some students find indices (or powers) hard to understand. If they don’t know how to use these correctly along with other math operations, it can make things confusing.

   For instance, in the problem (3 + 2^3 \div 2), forgetting to deal with the exponent before the division can lead to errors in the answer.

3. Possible Solutions: To help students do better, teachers can try different ideas:

   • Regular Practice: Doing lots of different problems can help students really understand BODMAS/BIDMAS.
   • Visual Aids: Showing flowcharts step-by-step can help students see the process clearly.
   • Group Work: Working together on problems lets students talk it out and fix any misunderstandings.

In summary, while BODMAS and BIDMAS can make math harder for Year 8 students, using clever teaching methods can help them get through these challenges.