What Is My Learning Style?

Take this quiz to find out!

Do you learn best by seeing, hearing, doing, or reading? What about by yourself, in a group, in nature, or by following logic?

Answer these questions to find out which of the 8 learning styles—visual, auditory, kinesthetic, verbal, logical, social, solo, or natural—suits you best so you can tailor your study habits and set yourself up for success!

A man studies at a table with books and an open computer.

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Questions Overview

1. Choose a group of activities that sound most interesting to you:
  1. Going to a concert, listening to a TedTalk, or creating a podcast.
  2. Meditating, taking a bath, or reading.
  3. Playing basketball, throwing pottery, or baking bread.
  4. Camping, kayaking, or fishing.
2. How do you make an important decision?
  1. I make a pros and cons list, of course!
  2. I get the opinion of someone I trust.
  3. I go with my gut.
  4. I try to visually picture the likely outcomes of both choices.
3. You’re working outside with a group on a project for work or school. What’s your reaction?
  1. Sweet! I love collaborating with other people.
  2. Ugh. I prefer independent work.
  3. As long as we’re working outside, I’m happy.
  4. Fine, but I want to be the group leader.
4. You're meeting a friend at a new restaurant. How do you find it?
  1. Use a map or Google Earth.
  2. Ask someone how to get there.
  3. Wander around until I locate it.
  4. Follow written directions.
5. Pick a place to study:
  1. A quiet, private cubby in the library so I can work undisturbed.
  2. Leaning up against a tree at the park or in my favorite nature clearing.
  3. A busy café where I’m in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.
  4. Anywhere. I can focus in all sorts of environments.
6. If you had to change your phone number, how would you memorize it?
  1. Write it down a few times.
  2. Say it out loud over and over.
  3. Repeat it in my head until it sticks.
  4. Find a way to relate it to another number I know, like a birthday or historical date.
7. What would help you relieve stress?
  1. Talking about my problems with a friend.
  2. Taking a walk on my favorite nature trail.
  3. Going to a party to get my mind off things.
  4. Solving the problem that’s creating the stress.
8. You just got a new electronic device. How do you figure out how it works?
  1. Carefully read the instructions.
  2. Watch a video tutorial online.
  3. Ask a friend to teach me how to use it.
  4. Play around with it until I learn all the ins and outs.
9. What’s your favorite class?
  1. P.E. or a science lab. I like to be active and hands-on.
  2. Music or a foreign language. I love getting to use my voice when I’m learning new things.
  3. English or history. I enjoy reading and writing.
  4. Math or computer science. Let’s solve some problems!
10. What kind of assessment do you prefer to show what you’ve learned?
  1. A demonstration or performance.
  2. A written report.
  3. A group presentation.
  4. An exam.
11. You get to try out a new job for a week. Which ones sound the most interesting?
  1. Construction worker, woodworker, or personal trainer.
  2. Graphic designer, interior designer, or photographer.
  3. Therapist, recruiter, or career counselor.
  4. Park ranger, biologist, or rancher.
12. You’re having fun online looking at dream homes. What do you most want to see?
  1. A video tour of the space.
  2. A description of the rooms and amenities.
  3. The floor plan.
  4. The image from Google Earth.

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When you take notes during class, create your own diagrams or draw images that represent the content. Mapping the relationship between ideas using a flow chart can help you understand the information better. Color-code your notes and make mental images of text materials to help you remember them.

Keep in mind that your result doesn\u2019t mean that the only way you learn is visually. Many people have a blend of learning styles. Try various techniques and see what works best for you.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-a-Histogram"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Draw a Histogram","id":1336878,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-a-Histogram","image":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Draw-a-Histogram-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-a-Histogram-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Draw a Histogram"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have an auditory learning style!","meaning":"Also known as an aural learning style, an auditory learning style means you tend to learn best when listening to information. Lessons that involve listening and speaking and lectures, music, melodies, or rhymes, are ideal for your learning style. You might even prefer to listen to audiobooks rather than reading.

Try recording lectures (with your instructor\u2019s permission) so you can listen to them again later. If you read something confusing, ask your instructor or a classmate to explain the concept to you verbally so you can better understand it. You can even try making mnemonic devices to help you remember things and create flashcards so you can read the questions and answers out loud.

You can also utilize other learning styles, too! Try creating visual aids or doing hands-on activities to see what you like best. Most people actually have a blend of learning styles.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Create Good Study Habits for Exams","id":5599,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams","image":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-22-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Create-Good-Study-Habits-for-Exams-Step-22-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Create Good Study Habits for Exams"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a kinesthetic learning style!","meaning":"Also known as a physical or tactile learning style, a kinesthetic learning style means you probably learn best with hands-on activities. You have strong motor skills and prefer learning by doing and handling physical objects. Manipulating puzzles, doing labs, performing plays, dancing, and drawing are right up your alley.

Create hands-on activities to go along with your lessons. Recreate an experiment to reinforce the concepts or create a puzzle to represent a timeline or idea. Study for short chunks of time, then take a break for physical activity. It might even help you to move around the room while you\u2019re completing assignments.

This doesn\u2019t mean that you can only learn in a kinesthetic style. Experiment with a variety of strategies, like using visual or auditory aids, to see what works best for you!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Conduct-a-Science-Experiment"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Conduct a Science Experiment","id":1748225,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Conduct-a-Science-Experiment","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Conduct-a-Science-Experiment-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Conduct-a-Science-Experiment-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Conduct a Science Experiment"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a verbal learning style!","meaning":"Also known as a reading-writing or linguistic learning style, a verbal learning style means you probably learn best using language. You might enjoy wordplay and rhymes, and prefer debates, discussions, presentations, and performances.

Take hand-written notes during class to read through later. Also, ask questions and listen carefully to the answers to help you retain the information. Or, discuss what you\u2019ve learned in class with a friend or family member to reinforce the concepts.

You can learn using other techniques, too! Most people have a blended style, so test out hands-on or visual learning tools, too.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Take-Notes"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Take Notes","id":319398,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Take-Notes","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Take-Notes-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Take-Notes-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Take Notes"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a logical learning style!","meaning":"Also known as an analytical learning style, a logical learning style means you look for patterns and trends in information. You utilize reasoning, analyze results, and find connections in content. You may prefer to make interpretations and inferences, solve problems, and find conclusions based on evidence.

Make use of visual tools, like timelines, maps, and diagrams. Focus on finding patterns instead of memorizing material and think of real-world examples that apply to what you\u2019re learning about. Creating a strict study schedule and using the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of studying followed by 5-minute breaks) can help you succeed.

You may have a blended learning style\u2014most people do! Utilize various techniques, like reading and writing or recording lectures, to see what\u2019s best for you.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Motivated-to-Study"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Motivate Yourself and Get in the Mood for Studying","id":254526,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Motivated-to-Study","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Get-Motivated-to-Study-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Get-Motivated-to-Study-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Motivate Yourself and Get in the Mood for Studying"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a social learning style!","meaning":"This is one of the linguistic learning styles, and it means that you tend to learn best when working with others. Group activities, class discussions, and role-playing help you get the most out of lessons.

Form a study group with a few of your peers. Work together to review the material, share notes, and quiz each other to prepare for exams. Or, work with a tutor to help you understand difficult concepts and stay on task.

That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t learn in a solo environment or by using visual, auditory, or other styles. Many people have a blended learning style, and you might, too!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Form-a-Study-Group"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Form a Study Group","id":640420,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Form-a-Study-Group","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Form-a-Study-Group-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Form-a-Study-Group-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Form a Study Group"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a solo learning style!","meaning":"Also called a solitary learning style, a solo learning style means you tend to thrive when working by yourself. In contrast to someone with a social learning style, you might not enjoy group work. Instead, you do best when you can focus on the task without disruptions or other people\u2019s input.

When you can, study alone. A secluded spot in the library or an empty room in your home are probably the best places for you to do homework and review for exams. Try journaling about what you\u2019ve learned or creating your own study guide.

Keep in mind that most people have a blended learning style. Try a group project, record a lecture to listen to later, or employ other techniques to find the right fit for you.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Study-Space"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Make a Study Space","id":145274,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Study-Space","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Make-a-Study-Space-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Study-Space-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Study Space"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You have a natural learning style!","meaning":"Also called a nature or naturalistic learning style, a natural learning style means you tend to do best when working outside in the natural environment. The peaceful location helps you learn and retain information, and examples from nature can drive home the concepts you\u2019re studying.

Ask your instructor if you can have class outside on occasion, and do your homework or study outdoors. Listen to a recorded lecture while on a nature walk and try to classify or sort content in relation to the natural world.

Note that most people have a blended learning style. You might also learn well using visual aids or by doing hands-on activities. Test out various approaches to figure out what suits your unique style.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Enjoy-Nature"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style","id":20380,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Learning-Style-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style"},{"title":"How to Enjoy Nature","id":83046,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Enjoy-Nature","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Enjoy-Nature-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Enjoy-Nature-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Enjoy Nature"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Right<\/picture>","alt":"Right Brain vs Left Brain Test"},{"title":"Type A B C D Personality Test","id":13714623,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Type-A-B-C-D-Personality-Test","image":"\"Type<\/picture>","alt":"Type A B C D Personality Test"},{"title":"What's Your Mindset Quiz","id":13699974,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Whats-Your-Mindset","image":"\"Whats<\/picture>","alt":"What's Your Mindset Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"No, I\u2019m in the mood for something different.","result":"We\u2019ve got you covered! Check out these quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Vibe Do I Give Off Quiz","id":13381647,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Vibe-Do-I-Give-Off","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Vibe Do I Give Off Quiz"},{"title":"What Zodiac Sign Am I Quiz","id":13284573,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Zodiac-Sign-Am-I-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Zodiac Sign Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Is My Aesthetic Quiz","id":13281612,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Is-My-Aesthetic-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Is My Aesthetic Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

Learning Styles: History, Theory, and Applications

In 1987, Neil Fleming, a teacher from New Zealand, popularized the VARK theory of learning styles (V = Visual, A = Aural, R = Read/Write, and K = Kinesthetic). The 16-question inventory he developed was designed for students, instructors, and employers. A fifth result, multimodal, was added because around 60% of people have multiple preferences when it comes to how they learn new information.

Visual Visual learners prefer charts, maps, diagrams, and images. They learn best by seeing information presented in a visual way.

Aural Aural, or auditory, learners prefer hearing information out loud. They learn best with discussions, oral presentations, and question-and-answer sessions.

Read/Write Often referred to as a verbal style, read/write learners prefer to see content in written form. They prefer books, handouts, manuals, and other text-based materials.

Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic learners prefer hands-on experience. They do best when they can complete a task or activity, rather than just seeing, hearing, or reading about it.

Since the original VARK model was created, 4 other popular learning styles have emerged—logical, social, solo, and natural. These are often thought of as secondary learning styles, as most of them refer more to learning environments than the way we perceive information.

Logical Logical learners use logic and analytics to find patterns, connections, causes, and results in provided information. They have strong problem-solving skills.

Social Social learners do best in group settings. Working with their peers, having discussions, and even role-playing help these learners to understand new information.

Solo Solo learners do best on their own. They prefer independent work rather than group activities.

Natural
Natural learners often find connections between the material they’re studying and the natural world. They may even learn best when outdoors in a natural environment.

While the VARK learning styles became widely used after Fleming published his theory, many people question its validity. Some of the criticisms include that the best way to learn something may depend on what is being learned and who is teaching it, among other factors. Furthermore, studies have shown that there is no correlation between study strategies that align with a student’s learning style and their course outcome (or grade). Some psychologists and researchers even claim that there are upwards of 170 learning styles, so limiting instruction to 4 or even 8 strategies may not benefit all types of learners.

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