What’s Your Learning Style?

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: 9. If I was buying a new car, I would:
a) read the instructions first a) read reviews in newspapers and magazines
b) listen to an explanation from someone who has b) discuss what I need with my friends
used it before c) test-drive lots of different types
c) go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I
use it 10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most
comfortable:
2. When I need directions for travelling I usually: a) watching what the teacher is doing
a) look at a map b) talking through with the teacher exactly what
b) ask for spoken directions I’m supposed to do
c) follow my nose and maybe use a compass c) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to: 11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:
a) follow a written recipe a) imagine what the food will look like
b) call a friend for an explanation b) talk through the options in my head or with my
c) follow my instincts, testing as I cook partner
c) imagine what the food will taste like
4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:
a) write instructions down for them 12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:
b) give them a verbal explanation a) watching the band members and other people
c) demonstrate first and then let them have a go in the audience
b) listening to the lyrics and the beats
5. I tend to say: c) moving in time with the music
a) watch how I do it
b) listen to me explain 13. When I concentrate, I most often:
c) you have a go a) focus on the words or the pictures in front of
me
6. During my free time I most enjoy: b) discuss the problem and the possible solutions
a) going to museums and galleries in my head
b) listening to music and talking to my friends c) move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils
c) playing sport or doing DIY and touch things

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to: 14. I choose household furnishings because I like:
a) imagine what they would look like on a) their colours and how they look
b) discuss them with the shop staff b) the descriptions the sales-people give me
c) try them on and test them out c) their textures and what it feels like to touch
them
8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:
a) read lots of brochures 15. My first memory is of:
b) listen to recommendations from friends a) looking at something
c) imagine what it would be like to be there b) being spoken to
c) doing something

© 2015 University of Oxford

 What’s Your Learning Style?
16. When I am anxious, I:
a) visualise the worst-case scenarios 24. If I am angry, I tend to:
b) talk over in my head what worries me most a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has
c) can’t sit still, fiddle and move around upset me
constantly b) raise my voice and tell people how I feel
c) stamp about, slam doors and physically
17. I feel especially connected to other people because demonstrate my anger
of:
a) how they look 25. I find it easiest to remember:
b) what they say to me a) faces
c) how they make me feel b) names
c) things I have done
18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:
a) write lots of revision notes and diagrams 26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:
b) talk over my notes, alone or with other people a) they avoid looking at you
c) imagine making the movement or creating the b) their voices changes
formula c) they give me funny vibes

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to: 27. When I meet an old friend:
a) show them what I mean a) I say “it’s great to see you!”
b) explain to them in different ways until they b) I say “it’s great to hear from you!”
understand c) I give them a hug or a handshake
c) encourage them to try and talk them through
my idea as they do it 28. I remember things best by:
a) writing notes or keeping printed details
20. I really love: b) saying them aloud or repeating words and key
a) watching films, photography, looking at art or points in my head
people watching c) doing and practising the activity or imagining it
b) listening to music, the radio or talking to being done
friends
c) taking part in sporting activities, eating fine 29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most
foods and wines or dancing comfortable:
a) writing a letter
21. Most of my free time is spent: b) complaining over the phone
a) watching television c) taking the item back to the store or posting it
b) talking to friends to head office
c) doing physical activity or making things
30. I tend to say:
22. When I first contact a new person, I usually: a) I see what you mean
a) arrange a face to face meeting b) I hear what you are saying
b) talk to them on the telephone c) I know how you feel
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

© 2015 University of Oxford

 What’s Your Learning Style?
Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

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).

But what does it mean?

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 Kinesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience - touching, feeling, holding,
doing, and 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).

© 2015 University of Oxford