SOS: Solutions for Optimal Studying ▪ 1

Learning Preference Inventories

Here are some common indicators. Read each statement and select the statement that best describes you. Highlight that statement. Then total each column to indicate your dominant learning style. There are no right and wrong answers.

Visual / Auditory / Kinesthetic/tactual
1 / when operating new equipment for the first time I prefer to / read the instructions / listen to or ask for an explanation / have a go and learn by 'trial and error'
2 / when seeking travel directions I… / look at a map / ask for spoken directions / follow my nose or maybe use a compass
3 / when cooking a new dish I… / follow a recipe / call a friend for explanation / follow my instinct, tasting as I cook
4 / to teach someone something I… / write instructions / explain verbally / demonstrate and let them have a go
5 / I tend to say… / "I see what you mean" / "I hear what you are saying" / "I know how you feel"
6 / I tend to say… / "show me" / "tell me" / "let me try"
7 / I tend to say… / "watch how I do it" / "listen to me explain" / "you have a go"
8 / complaining about faulty goods I tend to… / write a letter / phone / go back to the store, or send the faulty item to the head office
9 / I prefer these leisure activities / museums or galleries / music or conversation / physical activities or making things
10 / when shopping generally I tend to… / look and decide / discuss with shop staff / try on, handle or test
11 / choosing a vacation I… / read the brochures / listen to recommendations / imagine the experience
12 / choosing a new car I.. / read the reviews / discuss with friends / test-drive what you fancy
13 / learning a new skill / I watch what the teacher is doing / I talk through with the teacher exactly what I am supposed to do / I like to give it a try and work it out as I go along by doing it
14 / choosing from a restaurant menu.. / I imagine what the food will look like / I talk through the options in my head / I imagine what the food will taste like
15 / when listening to a band I … / sing along to the lyrics (in my head or out loud!) / listen to the lyrics and the beats / move in time with the music
16 / when concentrating I… / focus on the words or pictures in front of me / discuss the problem and possible solutions in my head / move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch unrelated things
17 / I remember things best by… / writing notes or keeping printed details / saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head / doing and practicing the activity, or imagining it being done
18 / my first memory is of / looking at something / being spoken to / doing something
19 / when anxious, I… / visualize the worst-case scenarios / talk over in my head what worries me most / can't sit still, fiddle and move around constantly
20 / I feel especially connected to others because of / how they look / what they say to me / how they make me feel
21 / when I revise for an exam, I… / write lots of revision notes (using lots of colors!) / I talk over my notes, to myself or to other people / imagine making the movement or creating the formula
22 / when explaining something to someone, I tend to… / show them what I mean / explain to them in different ways until they understand / encourage them to try and talk them through the idea as they try
23 / my main interests are / photography or watching films or people-watching / listening to music or listening to the radio or talking to friends / physical/sports activities, fine foods, or dancing
24 / most of my free time is spent… / watching television / talking to friends / doing physical activity or making things
25 / when I first contact a new person… / I arrange a face to face meeting / I talk to them on the telephone / I try to get together to share an activity
26 / I first notice how people… / look and dress / sound and speak / stand and move
27 / if I am very angry… / I keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me / I shout lots and tell people how I feel / I stomp about, slam doors and throw things
29 / I think I can tell someone is lying because… / they avoid looking at you / their voice changes / the vibes I get from them
30 / When I'm meeting with an old friend… / I say "it's great to see you!" / I say "it's great to hear your voice!" / I give them a hug or a handshake
Totals: / Visual / Auditory / Kinesthetic/Tactual

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).

©VAK learning styles self-test: Victoria Chislett MSc and Alan Chapman 2005. Not to be sold or published. Sole risk with user. This learning styles self-assessment tool is a rough guide to individual learning styles only - it is not a scientifically validated instrument. With thanks also to Anita Mountain and Chris Davidson for their advice in creating this tool.

What does all of this mean?

Visual –Auditory – Kinesthetic–Tactual

Your learning style may be the single most important key to improving your grades.

Students learn in many ways, like seeing, hearing, and experiencing things first hand. But for most students, one of these methods stands out.

Why is this important? Research has shown that students can perform better on tests if they change study habits to fit their own personal learning styles.

For example, visual-learning students will sometimes struggle during essay exams, because they can't recall test material that was "heard" in a lecture.

However, if the visual learner uses a visual aid when studying, like a colorful outline of test materials, he or she may retain more information. For this type of learner, visual tools improve the ability to recall information more completely.

A simple explanation of learning styles is this: Some students remember best materials they've seen, some remember things they've heard, while others remember things they've experienced.

How can you determine your learning style?

Eventually, you may want to consult a professional or your counselor for advice on learning styles, but you may recognize your own style quickly, once you look over the characteristics. If any of the traits and characteristics below sound familiar, you may have identified your own style.

Visual Learner Characteristics

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner:

  • Is good at spelling but forgets names.
  • Needs quiet study time.
  • Has to think awhile before understanding lecture.
  • Likes colors & fashion.
  • Dreams in color.
  • Understands/likes charts.
  • Is good with sign language.

Learning Suggestions for Visual Learners:

  • Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
  • Make outlines of everything!
  • Copy what's on the board.
  • Ask the teacher to diagram.
  • Diagram sentences!
  • Take notes, make lists.
  • Watch videos.
  • Color code words, research notes.
  • Use flashcards.
  • Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

BEST test type for visual learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if you've studied using an outline), showing a process / WORST test type:
Listen and respond tests

Auditory Learner Characteristics

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:

  • Likes to read to self out loud.
  • Is not afraid to speak in class.
  • Likes oral reports.
  • Is good at explaining.
  • Remembers names.
  • Notices sound effects in movies.
  • Enjoys music.
  • Is good at grammar and foreign language.
  • Reads slowly.
  • Follows spoken directions well.
  • Can't keep quiet for long periods.
  • Enjoys acting, being on stage.
  • Is good in study groups.

Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:

  • Using word association to remember facts and lines.
  • Recording lectures.
  • Watching videos.
  • Repeating facts with eyes closed.
  • Participating in group discussions.
  • Using audiotapes for language practice.
  • Taping notes after writing them.

BEST test type for auditory learners:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard.
They're also good at oral exams. / WORST test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be a kinesthetic learner if you are someone who:

  • Is good at sports.
  • Can't sit still for long.
  • Is not great at spelling.
  • Does not have great handwriting.
  • Likes science lab.
  • Studies with loud music on.
  • Likes adventure books, movies.
  • Likes role playing.
  • Takes breaks when studying.
  • Builds models.
  • Is involved in martial arts, dance.
  • Is fidgety during lectures.

Kinesthetic Learners Can Benefit from:

  • Studying in short blocks.
  • Taking lab classes.
  • Role playing.
  • Taking field trips, visiting museums.
  • Studying with others.
  • Using memory games.
  • Using flash cards to memorize.

BESTtest type for kinesthetic learners:
Short definitions, fill-ins, multiple choice. / WORST test type:
Long tests, essays.

Right/Left Brain Information

Right Brain-DominantStudents

You Might Be a Right Brain If...By Grace Fleming, About.com Guide

Do you get bored when teachers lecture too much? Do you feel like you can size up people easily by watching them? If so, you may be right-brain dominant.

Characteristics of Right-Brain Students

  • You take notes but lose them. You may have a hard time keeping track of your research
  • You might have a hard time making up your mind
  • You are good with people
  • You don't fall for practical jokes as easily as some
  • You seem dreamy, but you're really deep in thought
  • People may have told you you're psychic
  • You like to write fiction, draw, or play music
  • You might be athletic
  • You like mystery stories
  • You take time to ponder and you think there are two sides to every story
  • You may lose track of time
  • You are spontaneous
  • You’re fun and witty
  • You may find it hard to follow verbal directions
  • You are unpredictable
  • You get lost
  • You are emotional
  • You don't like reading directions
  • You may listen to music while studying
  • You read lying down
  • You may be interested in “the unexplained”
  • You are philosophical

Your Classes

  • In history class, you enjoy the social aspects most. You like to explore the effects of things that happened in history. You also like the essays.
  • You can do well in math class if you apply yourself, but you get bored doing long problems.
  • Science? Boring.
  • You do well in English class, especially when it comes to reading literature and writing essays about books. You also do well in creative writing assignments.

Advice for Right Brain Students

  • Choose to do personal essays
  • Watch your daydreaming—keep it under control
  • Let your imagination work for you in the arts
  • Let your intuition work for you in social situations
  • Let your deep thinking work for you during essay tests—but don’t ponder too long
  • Be creative with essays. You can use colorful language well
  • Use images and charts when you study
  • Write down directions
  • Try to be more organized!
  • Don’t be overly suspicious of others
  • Make outlines to organize your thoughts.
  • Choose fiction in reading assignments
  • Try to avoid teachers who lecture a lot; choose teachers who use activities
  • You tell stories well, so write some!
  • Put information into categories for better understanding
  • Avoid getting bogged down by thinking of all possibilities when answering questions
  • Finish things! You have so much talent, but you don’t always complete things.

You have great instincts and survival skills.

If you study hard, you might be a finalist on Survivor one day!

Left Brain-Dominant Students

You Might Be a Left Brain If...By Grace Fleming, About.com Guide

Are you very organized? Do you believe that there is a right way and a wrong way to do everything? If so, you may be left-brain dominant.

Characteristics of Left Brain Students

  • You probably work with a To-Do list
  • You like to be the critic in class
  • You're good at math or science
  • You are rational and logical
  • Your research is precise and well-documented
  • You set goals for yourself
  • You can interpret information well
  • Your room is orderly
  • You can answer questions spontaneously
  • You follow directions and you do read directions (unlike some people)
  • You aren't touchy-feely
  • You can listen to a long lecture without losing patience
  • You don’t let feelings get in your way
  • You like action movies
  • You read sitting up
  • Your words are precise

Your Classes

  • In history class, you are able to remember dates and processes.
  • In math class, you enjoy going through a long calculation.
  • You like the order of science.
  • In English class, you have a good understanding of grammar and sentence structure.

Advice for Left Brain Students

  • Study in a quiet room
  • You can do math but get impatient trying to explain it to someone who struggles—so don’t volunteer to be a tutor unless you know you have the patience
  • You like to lead in a study group, so go ahead and volunteer
  • Join a debate team or academic competition
  • Take advantage of your skills in math and science
  • Choose non-fiction reading
  • You prefer factual questions and assignments, as opposed to open-ended questions
  • You can organize your notes well, so you should
  • Keep your room organized
  • Don’t argue with the teacher too much
  • Choose to do analytical essays
  • Work alone when you have a choice. You get frustrated with others who “clown around”
  • Avoid “free thinking” teachers if they confuse you
  • Take more risks. Don’t be afraid to be creative

You might be a finalist on Jeopardy some day!

Multiple Intelligences

Intelligence Type / Capability and Perception
Verbal Linguistic / words and language
Logical-Mathematical / logic and numbers
Musical Rhythmic / music, sound, rhythm
Bodily-Kinesthetic / body movement control
Spatial-Visual / images and space
Interpersonal / other people's feelings
Intrapersonal / self-awareness
Naturalist / natural environment

Verbal Linguistic (Language)

People who are strong in the language intelligence enjoy saying, hearing, and seeing words. They like telling stories. They are motivated by books, records, dramas, opportunities for writing.

Here are ways to work with this intelligence in your lessons:

  • Look at different kinds of dictionaries.
  • Read plays and poetry out loud.
  • Write a story for a book or newsletter.
  • Keep a journal.
  • Read from books written by or for new readers.
  • Use a tape recorder to tape stories and write them down.
  • Read together, i.e., choral reading.
  • Read out loud to each other.
  • Read a section, then explain what you've read.
  • Read a piece with different emotional tones or viewpoints — one angry, one happy, etc.
  • Trade tall tales, attend story-telling events and workshops.
  • Explore and develop the love of words, i.e., meanings of words, origin of words and idioms, names. Research your name.

Visual Spatial (Spatial)

People who are strong in the spatial intelligence remember things visually, including exact sizes and shapes of objects. They like posters, charts, and graphics. They like any kind of visual clues. They enjoy drawing.

Here are ways to work with this intelligence in your lessons:

  • Write a language experience story and then illustrate it.
  • Study and create maps, diagrams and graphs.
  • Color code words so each syllable is a different color.
  • Write a word on the blackboard with a wet finger. Visualize the word as it disappears. See if you can spell it afterwards.
  • Take a survey. Put the information in a chart.
  • Write words vertically.
  • Cut out words from a magazine and use them in a letter.
  • Use pictures to stimulate reading or writing.
  • Visualize spelling words.
  • Use the say-copy-look method of spelling.
  • Use colorful newspapers like USA Today.
  • Use crossword puzzles.

Logical Mathematical (Logic/Math)