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:
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 staff
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 different 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 I’m
supposed to do
c) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go
11. If I am choosing
food off 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 can’t 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) can’t 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 different 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 “it’s great to see you!”
b) I say “it’s 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
A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.
A’s = 11 B’s
= 8 C’s = 11
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.
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).
More information about learning
styles, personality, and personal development is at www.businessballs.com.
With acknowledgements to Victoria
Chislett for developing this assessment.
Victoria Chislett specialises in
performance psychology and its application within organisations, and can be
contacted via email: performance_psychologist at yahoo.com.
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