VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.
(It’s best to complete the questionnaire before reading the accompanying explanation.)

1. When I operate new equipment I generally: *

2. When I need directions for travelling I usually: *

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to: *

4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to: *

5. I tend to say: *

6. During my free time I most enjoy: *

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to: *

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually: *

9. If I was buying a new car, I would: *

10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable: *

11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to: *

12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help: *

13. When I concentrate, I most often: *

14. I choose household furnishings because I like: *

15. My first memory is of: *

16. When I am anxious, I: *

17. I feel especially connected to other people because of: *

18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally: *

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to: *

20. I really love: *

21. Most of my free time is spent: *

22. When I first contact a new person, I usually: *

23. I first notice how people: *

24. If I am angry, I tend to: *

25. I find it easiest to remember: *

26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if: *

27. When I meet an old friend: *

28. I remember things best by: *

29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable: *

30. I tend to say: *

Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

As:				Bs:				Cs:

If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style.

If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style.

If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style.

Some people find that their learning style may be a blend of two or three styles, in this case read about the styles that apply to you in the explanation below. When you have identified your learning style(s), read the learning styles explanations and consider how this might help you to identify learning and development that best meets your preference(s).

Now see the VAK Learning Styles Explanation.

VAK Learning Styles Explanation

The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of three preferred styles of learning. These three styles are as follows, (and there is no right or wrong learning style):

- Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions.

- Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert. These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear!

- Someone with a Kinaesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. These people will use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel?’ and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first!

People commonly have a main preferred learning style, but this will be part of a blend of all three. Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even mixture of two or less commonly, three styles.

When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learning that best suits you. This enables you to choose the types of learning that work best for you.

There is no right or wrong learning style. The point is that there are types of learning that are right for your own preferred learning style.