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NAME: _____________________________________________
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POSITION:

VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Circle the answer that most represents how you generally behave (A-BC)
1. When I operate new equipment I generally:
a) read the instructions first
b) listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before
c) go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it
2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:
a) look at a map
b) ask for spoken directions
c) follow my nose and maybe use a compass
3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:
a) follow a written recipe
b) call a friend for an explanation
c) follow my instincts, testing as I cook
4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:
a) write instructions down for them
b) give them a verbal explanation
c) demonstrate first and then let them have a go
5. I tend to say:
a) watch how I do it
b) listen to me explain
c) you have a go
6. During my free time I most enjoy:
a) going to museums and galleries
b) listening to music and talking to my friends
c) playing sport or doing DIY
7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:
a) imagine what they would look like on
b) discuss them with the shop staf

c) try them on and test them out

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:
a) read lots of brochures
b) listen to recommendations from friends
c) imagine what it would be like to be there

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

a) read reviews in newspapers and magazines
b) discuss what I need with my friends
c) test-drive lots of diferent types
10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:
a) watching what the teacher is doing
b) talking through with the teacher exactly what Im supposed to do
c) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go
11. If I am choosing food of a menu, I tend to:
a) imagine what the food will look like
b) talk through the options in my head or with my partner
c) imagine what the food will taste like
12. When I listen to a band, I cant help:
a) watching the band members and other people in the audience
b) listening to the lyrics and the beats
c) moving in time with the music
13. When I concentrate, I most often:
a) focus on the words or the pictures in front of me
b) discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head
c) move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things
14. I choose household furnishings because I like:
a) their colours and how they look
b) the descriptions the sales-people give me
c) their textures and what it feels like to touch them
15. My first memory is of:
a) looking at something
b) being spoken to
c) doing something
16. When I am anxious, I:
a) visualise the worst-case scenarios
b) talk over in my head what worries me most
c) cant sit still, fiddle and move around constantly
17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:
a) how they look
b) what they say to me
c) how they make me feel

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

a) write lots of revision notes and diagrams
b) talk over my notes, alone or with other people
c) imagine making the movement or creating the formula
19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:
a) show them what I mean
b) explain to them in diferent ways until they understand
c) encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it
20. I really love:
a) watching films, photography, looking at art or people watching
b) listening to music, the radio or talking to friends
c) taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing
21. Most of my free time is spent:
a) watching television
b) talking to friends
c) doing physical activity or making things
22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:
a) arrange a face to face meeting
b) talk to them on the telephone
c) try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal
23. I first notice how people:
a) look and dress
b) sound and speak
c) stand and move
24. If I am angry, I tend to:
a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me
b) raise my voice and tell people how I feel
c) stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger
25. I find it easiest to remember:
a) faces
b) names
c) things I have done
26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:
a) they avoid looking at you
b) their voices changes
c) they give me funny vibes

27. When I meet an old friend:

a) I say its great to see you!
b) I say its great to hear from you!
c) I give them a hug or a handshake
28. I remember things best by:
a) writing notes or keeping printed details
b) saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head
c) doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done
29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:
a) writing a letter
b) complaining over the phone
c) taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office
30. I tend to say:
a) I see what you mean
b) I hear what you are saying
c) I know how you feel

Now add up how many As, Bs and Cs you selected.

As =

Bs =

Cs =

If you chose mostly As you have a VISUAL learning style.

If you chose mostly Bs you have an AUDITORY learning style.
If you chose mostly Cs 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).
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, lets
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, lets 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.
Please note that this is not a scientifically validated testing instrument it is a free
assessment tool designed to give a broad indication of preferred learning style(s).

vak - visual, auditory, kinesthetic - learning styles model and

free self-test
The VAK learning styles model and related VAK learning styles tests ofer a
relatively simple methodology. Therefore it is important to remember that these
concepts and tools are aids to understanding overall personality, preferences
and strengths - which is always a mixture in each individual person.
As with any methodology or tool, use VAK and other learning styles ideas with
care and interpretation according to the needs of the situation. They are guide as
to the mixture of preferences, strengths and learning styles in an individual, not a
basis for deciding on one exclusive preference or approach to the exclusion of
everything else.
On this point, the Kolb Learning Styles page ofers additional notes on the use of
Learning Styles in young people's education.
In addition to the VAK materials and tests below, further VAK (and VARK and
VACT) explanation is on the page dealing with Multiple Intelligences and VAK.

vak learning styles

The Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic learning styles model or 'inventory', usually
abbreviated to VAK, provides a simple way to explain and understand your own
learning style (and learning styles of others).
'Learning style' should be interpreted to mean an individual mixture of
styles. Everyone has a mixture of strengths and preferences. No-one has
exclusively one single style or preference. Please bear this in mind when using
these ideas.
Alternatively the model is referred to as Visual-Auditory-Physical, or VisualAuditory-Tactile/Kinesthetic (or Kinaesthetic). The model is also extended by
some people to VARK (Visual-Auditory-Reading-Kinesthetic) or VACT (VisualAuditory-Kinesthetic-Tactile), and you can decide yourself about the usefulness of
such adaptations.

The original VAK concepts were first developed by psychologists and teaching (of
children) specialists such as Fernald, Keller, Orton, Gillingham, Stillman and
Montessori, starting in the 1920's. VAK theory is now a favourite of the
accelerated learning community because its principles and benefits extend to all
types of learning and development, far beyond its early applications. See

also Kolb's learning styles model, and Gardner's Multiple Intelligences model, in
which section you'll findmore information about VAK, VARK and VACT learning
styles theories. Katherine Benziger's methodology is also useful and relevant, as
is the various material on the Personality Styles section. These models provide
additional perspectives of the way we each think and relate to the world, and
where are natural strengths lie. The Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic learning styles
model does not overlay Gardner's multiple intelligences, or Kolb's theory, rather
the VAK model provides a diferent perspective for understanding and explaining
a person's preferred or dominant thinking and learning style, and strengths.
Gardner's theory is one way of looking at thinking styles; Kolb is another way;
VAK is another. The more perspectives you have, the better you see and
understand your own personality and learning styles, and the learning styles of
employees, colleagues and staf.

vak learning styles

learning style

description

Visual

seeing and reading

Auditory

listening and speaking

Kinesthetic

touching and doing

N.B. Kinesthetic style is also referred to as 'Physical', or 'Tactile', or 'Touchy-Feely'.

According to the VAK model, most people possess a dominant or preferred

learning style, however some people have a mixed and evenly balanced blend of
the three styles.
As already mentioned, it is also helpful to look at Kolb's learning styles
model and Gardner's Multiple Intelligences model.

visual-auditory-kinesthetic learning styles

The VAK learning styles model provides a very easy and quick reference
inventory by which to assess people's preferred learning styles, and then most

importantly, to design learning methods and experiences that match

people's preferences:
Visual learning style involves the use of seen or observed things, including
pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc.
Auditory learning style involves the transfer of information through listening: to
the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises.
Kinesthetic learning involves physical experience - touching, feeling, holding,
doing, practical hands-on experiences.
The word 'kinesthetic' describes the sense of using muscular movement physical sense in other words. Kinesthesia and kinesthesis are root words,
derived from the Greek kineo, meaning move, and aisthesis, meaning
sensation. Kinesthetic therefore describes a learning style which involves the
stimulation of nerves in the body's muscles, joints and tendons. This relates to
the colloquial expression 'touchy-feely' ('kineo-aisthesis' = 'move-sensation').
The VAK Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic model and the free test below provides a free
quick easy way to assess your own or other people's preferred learning styles.
Please note the test below is a simple indicator of preferred learning styles - it's
bloody good for free, but it's not meant for rigorous scientific research. This VAK
assessment tool is a good basic guide to personal learning styles, but it's is not a
scientifically validated instrument - otherwise it would probably not be free.

vak (visual-auditory-kinesthetic) learning style indicators and

free self-test
Here is a free VAK learning style indicator, which can be used as a questionnaire
or 'test' to assess your own preferred learning style or styles, or the VAK learning
styles of your people. Score each statement and then add the totals for each
column to indicate learning style dominance and mix. Your learning style is also a
reflection of the type of person you are - how you perceive things and the way
that you relate to the world. This questionnaire helps you to improve your
understanding of yourself and your strengths. There are no right or wrong
answers. (See also the free quick VAK test - short version)
You can use various scoring systems to suit your purposes:
Method 1 - Simplest and quickest - select one from each line and add the total
selections for each column. The totals will indicate your relative learning style
preference and mix.
Method 2 - More subtle measurement - takes longer, but probably worth it score each option either 1, 2 or 3 points. Clearer indication will be produced if no

options in a single line are scored the same, but it's up to you. You get out what
you put in. Decide whether to allow equal scores or not, and most importantly
then apply the rule for the whole of the questionnaire.
Method 3 - Re-structure the matrix into a multiple choice-style questionnaire takes longer, but is more likely to avoid 'leading' or influencing the person being
assessed because the format is less transparent. Each of the 30 questions would
be structured as per this example, and could either ask for a single selection or
to score each option 1, 2, or 3:
Q1 When operating new equipment for the first time I prefer to..
a) read the instructions
b) listen or ask for an explanation
c) have a go and learn by 'trial and error'
(A scoring grid would need to be created so as to enable calculation of totals for
all a's b's and c's.)
Free VAK learning styles test - multiple-choice questionnaire (MSWord doc)
Free VAK learning styles test - multiple-choice questionnaire (PDF)
Method 4 - As method 3, but mix up the order of the options within each
question, so as to reduce the transparency of the options and which style they
relate to - this takes even longer and is a pain in the backside to score because
'a, b, c' would no longer correlate to 'V, A, K', so you'd need quite a clever scoring
grid to achieve this, and a reasonably serious project to justify the efort.
However you calculate the totals, ensure you use the chosen method
consistently throughout the questionnaire. The total scores for each style indicate
your relative preferred learning style or styles. There are no right or wrong
answers. Some people have very strong preferences, even to the extent that
they have little or no preference in one or two of the styles. Other people have
more evenly balanced preferences, with no particularly strong style. The point is
simply to try to understand as much as you can about yourself and your
strengths (your preferred style or styles), and then make best use of learning
methods which suit your strengths (your preferred style or styles).

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