VAK Learning Styles
VAK Learning Styles (Visual, Auditory, Kineasthetic Learning Styles)
Self-Assessment
Download and print out the quiz available by clicking here to see what your learning style is.
Once printed pick the answer that most represents how you generally behave out of the multiple choices.
This quiz will be online soon.
1. When I buy a new product I generally:
a) read the instructions first on how to operate
b) listen to someone else’s advice on how to use it
c) try to figure it out by playing around and just turning it on
2. When I am lost and not sure of where to go, I would most probably
a) look at a map or GPS
b) ask for directions from someone nearby
c) just drive around looking for a point of reference
3. When I cook food I like to:
a) get ideas from a cookbook
b) take a friends advice on how to cook it
c) make it up as I go or just trial new things
4. If I am training someone to do something I tend to:
a) write instructions down for them to read
b) give them a verbal explanation and answer questions
c) Show them how it’s done and get them to try it
5. I normally say to people:
a) watch me or watch how I do it
b) listen to me or let me explain
c) you give it a shot or your try it
6. If you had more free time I would like to:
a) Go to the movies or a museum or gallery
b) Listen to music or chat with my friends
c) Play some sport, or do something active
7. When I shop for clothing I would normally:
a) Picture them and what I would look like wearing them
b) Get a opinion from either a friend or shop assistant
c) Try them on or test them out
8. If I was thinking of taking a holiday I would:
a) Read brochures for Research
b) Listen to friends recommendations
c) Think about the feeling of being there
9. If I wanted to buy a new car I would:
a) Read brochures for research
b) Discuss my needs with friends or salesperson
c) Test drive would be my decision maker
10. When I am learning something new like a new skill, I am most comfortable:
a) Just watching someone else do it first
b) Asking questions on what I need to do and listening to direction
c) Just try by doing it
11. If I looking at a menu I would:
a) Imagine what the food will look like
b) Talk through the options or ask for recommendations
c) Imagine the taste of the food and the past experiences I’ve had.
12. When I go to a live concert I prefer to:
a) Watch the band members and other people in the audience
b) Listen to the lyrics and the music
c) Dance, move or groove with the music
13. When I concentrate, I would normally:
a) Focus on the words or the images in front of me
b) Discuss the problem internally with my internal dialogue
c) Play with items, touch things an move objects
14. If I buy furniture for my house I would decide on:
a) Their colours and how they look with other items
b) The descriptions or recommendation of others
c) How they feel and how I can use them
15. My first memory is:
a) Looking at something
b) Someone’s voice
c) Doing an activity of some sort
16. When I am nervous or anxious, I:
a) picture the worst-case scenarios in my mind
b) talk internally about the situation
c) show nervousness by shaking, jiggling and touching objects
17. I connect with people easier if I like:
a) How they look
b) What they say
c) How they make me feel
18. If I have a test, I normally:
a) Write lots of notes and diagrams
b) Rehearse out loud or ask someone to test me
c) Imaging doing it or practising the information
19. If I am trying to explain something to someone I normally:
a) Demonstrate or show them just what I mean
b) Explain to them multiple ways until they grasped what I was explaining
c) encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it
20. I enjoy:
a) Watching films, photography, looking at art or Social Networking
b) Listening to new music, the radio or speaking to my friends
c) Taking part in an active lifestyle, dining at restaurants and wines or dancing
21. If I had more free time I would:
a) Watch television or go to a movie
b) Catch up with Friends to chat
c) Visit my Friends to hang around with them
22. When I meet a new business contact, I usually:
a) Arrange a face to face meeting
b) Talk to them on the telephone first to get to know them
c) Try to involve them within a new activity to learn more about them
23. I first notice how people:
a) Look and dress
b) Sound and speak
c) Stand and move
24. If I am angry, I would most probably:
a) Keep thinking about what has upset me
b) Tell people how I feel
c) Get a little physical, or extra body language shown
25. I can remember the best:
a) People’s faces
b) People’s names
c) Things I have done
26. I believe someone is lying to you when they:
a) Avoid looking at you
b) Change their voice
c) Give me bad vibes
27. When I meet someone I haven’t seen for a while I would:
a) Say “it’s great to see you!”
b) Say “it’s great to hear from you!”
c) I connect with them with a handshake, hug or other form
28. I can remember best if I:
a) Write some notes or keep things written down
b) Repeating things in my head or saying things out loud
c) Doing it, practising or running through the exercise in my head
29. If I had to complain to someone I would:
a) Write a note or letter
b) Call up on the phone and complain
c) Taking the item back in person or meeting the person in charge or at fault
30. I normally say things like::
a) I see what you mean
b) I hear what you are saying
c) I know how you feel or I understand
Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.
A’s = B’s = C’s =
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 multiple styles that apply to you in the explanation(s) below.
VAK Learning Styles Explanation
The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one or several of three preferred styles of learning. These three styles are as follows:
- If you have a Visual learning style you may have a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. This style will mean people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s see’ or ‘can I have a look at that’ and may be able to perform a new task better after reading the instructions or seeing someone else do it. These are the people who will work from visual aids and written directions or instructions. Visualizing people’s names will help these people remember as they need a visual image to assist.
- If you have an Auditory learning style you may have a preference for information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. This style will mean people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ or ‘Explain that again’ and will be best to do a new task after listening to instructions from someone else like an expert or teacher. These people are happy when spoken instructions are given over the telephone, and can remember all the words to their favorite songs that they hear! These people remember names easier when they are told.
- If you have a Kinaesthetic learning style you may have preference for “doing things” or 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 able to perform a new task better by doing it and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to try things out, experiment, learn by doing, and rarely look at the instructions.
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. It also means you can teach yourself quicker by using the best learning style suitable for you. It also helps you take note of any areas you may need to concentrate on for improvement. Paying extra attention to areas of low learning as this may prevent you from learning when being taught.