VARK QUESTIONNAIREHOW DO I LEARN BEST?

Circle the number(s) of the answer which best explains your preference.

Please circle more than one if a single answer does not match your perception

You are helping someone who wants to go to your airport, the centre of town or railway station. You would:

go with her

1

tell her the directions

2

write down the directions

3

draw, or give her a map

4

You are not sure whether a word should be spelled ‘dependent’ or ‘dependant.’ You would:

see the words in your mind and choose by the way they look

1

think about how each word sounds and choose one

2

find it online or in a dictionary

3

write both words on paper and choose one

4

You are planning a vacation for a group. You want some feedback from them about the plan. You would:

describe some of the highlights

1

use a map or website to show them the places

2

give them a copy of the printed itinerary

3

phone, text, or email them

4

You are going to cook something as a special treat for your family. You would:

cook something you know without the need for instructions

1

ask friends for suggestions

2

look through the cookbook for ideas from the pictures

3

use a cookbook where you know there is a good recipe

4

A group of tourists want to learn about the parks or wildlife reserves in your area. You would:

talk about, or arrange a talk for them about parks or wildlife reserves

1

show them internet pictures, photographs or picture books

2

take them to a park or wildlife reserve and walk with them

3

give them a book or pamphlets about the parks or wildlife reserves

4

You are about to purchase a digital camera or smartphone. Other than price, what would most influence

your decision?

Trying or testing it

1

Reading the details about its features

2

It is a modern design and looks good

3

The salesperson telling me about its features

4

Remember a time when you learned how to do something new. Try to avoid choosing a physical skill, e.g. riding a

bike. You learned best by:

watching a demonstration

1

listening to somebody explaining it and asking questions

2

diagrams and charts - visual clues

3

written instructions - e.g. a manual or textbook

4

You have a problem with your heart. You would prefer that the doctor:

gave you something to read to explain what was wrong

1

used a plastic model to show what was wrong

2

described what was wrong

3

showed you a diagram of what was wrong

4

You want to learn a new program, skill or game on a computer. You would:

read the written instructions that came with the program

1

talk with people who know about the program

2

play around with the program, experimenting with various tasks

3

follow the diagrams in the book that came with it

4

I like websites that have:

things I can lick on or try

1

interesting design and visual feature

2

interesting written descriptions, lists and explanations

3

audio channels where I can hear music, radio programs or interviews

4

Other than price, what would most influence your decision to buy a new non-fiction book?

The way it looks is appealing

1

Quickly reading parts of it

2

A friend talks about it and recommends it

3

It has real-life stories, experiences and examples

4

You are using a book, CD or website to learn how to take photos with your new digital camera. You would like to

have:

a chance to ask questions and talk about the camera and its features

1

clear written instruction with lists and bullet points about what to do

2

diagrams showing the camera and what each part does

3

many examples of good and poor photos and how to improve them

4

Do you prefer a teacher or a presenter who uses:

demonstrations, models or practical sessions

1

question and answer, talk, group discussion, or guest speakers

2

handouts, books, or readings

3

diagrams, charts or graphs

4

You have finished a competition or test and would like some feedback. You would like to have the feedback:

using examples from what you have done

1

using a written description of your results

2

from somebody who talks it through with you

3

using graphs showing what you had achieved

4

You are going to choose food at a restaurant or cafe. You would:

choose something that you have had there before

1

listen to the waiter or ask friends to recommend choices

2

choose from the descriptions in the menu

3

look at what others are eating or look at pictures of each dish

4

You have to make an important speech at a conference or special occasion. You would:

make diagrams or get graphs to help explain things

1

write a few key words and practice saying your speech over and over

2

write out your speech and learn from reading it over several times

3

gather many examples and stories to make the talk real and practical

4

Scoring chart

Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

1 K V K K A K K R R K V A K K K V

2 A A V A V R A K A V R R A R A A

3 R R R V K V V A K R A V R A R R

4 V K A R R A R V V A K K V V V K

Count the number or each of the VARK letters you have circled

to get your score for each VARK category

Calculating your scores Total

Total number of Vs circled = Visual learner score

Total number of As circled = Auditory learner score (oral / interactive)

Total number or Rs circled = Reading / writing learner score

Total number of Ks circled = Physical learner score (tactile kinaesthetic)

Visual Learners

Clues Learning Tips

• Needs to see it to know it

• Strong sense of colour

• May have artistic ability

• Difficulty with spoken directions

• Overreaction to sounds

• Trouble following lectures.

• Misinterpretation of words

• Use graphics to reinforce learning -- films, slides,

illustrations, and diagrams

• Colour coding to organize notes and possessions.

• Write out directions

• Use flow charts and diagrams for note taking

• Visualizing spelling of words of facts to be

memorized

Tips for Visual Learners

1.Write down anything that you want to remember.

2.Try to write down information in your own words.

3.Underline or highlight important words you need to learn as

you read.

4.When learning a new vocabulary word, visualize the word.

5.When you have a list of things to remember, keep the list in

a place where you will be sure to see it several times a day.

6.Try drawing a picture of any information you want to learn.

Try making a diagram, a chart, or actually drawing people,

things, etc.

7.Always read any material in advance of a session so you

have a chance to visually connect with the information before

hearing it.

Auditory Learners

Clues Learning Tips

• Prefers to get information by

listening, needs to hear it to know it.

• Difficulty following written direction

• Difficulty with reading

• Problems with writing

• Inability to read body language and

facial expressions

• Use tapes for reading and for class and lecture

notes

• learn by interviewing or by participating in

discussions

• Have test questions or directions read aloud or put

on tape

Tips for Auditory Learners (Oral, Interactive)

1. Use a tape recorder to record notes when reading instead of writing

facts down. Play it back while you are riding in the car, doing dishes,

washing the car, jogging etc.

2. Subvocalize -- that is, talk to yourself about any information you want

to remember. Try to recite it without looking at your notes or the book.

3. Discuss with others and then quiz each other on the material. Really

listen to yourself as you talk.

4. When learning a new vocabulary word, say it out loud. Then spell it

out loud several times. See if it rhymes with a word that you know.

You could even try singing the word in a song.

5. To learn facts, say them out loud, put the facts to music or read them

into a tape recorder. Then listen to what you have recorded often.

6. When writing, talk to yourself. First tell yourself what you will write,

say it out loud as you write it, and then read aloud what you have

written or tape record it.

7. Always read material to be learned after hearing the information.

Kinaesthetic Learners

Clues Learning Tips

• Prefers hands-on learning

• Can assemble parts without reading

directions

• Difficulty sitting still

• Learns better when physical activity is

involved

• May be very well coordinated and have

athletic ability

• Experimental learning (making models, doing lab work,

and role playing).

• Frequent breaks in study periods

• Trace letters and words to learn spelling and remember

facts

• Use computer to reinforce learning through sense of

touch

• Memorize or drill while walking or exercising

• Express abilities through dance, drama, or gymnastics

Tips for Physical Learners (Tactile, Kinesthetic)

1.Try to study through practical experiences, such as making

models, doing lab work, or role playing.

2.Take frequent breaks when learning.

3.Trace words and letters to learn spelling and to remember facts.

4.Use the computer to reinforce learning through the sense of

touch.

5.Memorize or drill while walking, jogging or exercising.

6.Try expressing your abilities through dance, drama, or sports.

7.Try standing up when you are reading or writing.

8.Write facts to be learned on 3" x 5" cards, with a question on one

side and the answer on the other. Lay out the cards, quiz

yourself, shuffle them, lay them out again and quiz yourself

again.

9.When working with a study group, think of TV quiz games

(Jeopardy, etc.) as ways to review information.