The VARK Questionnaire:

How Do I Learn Best?

The VARK questionnaire can provide you with a profile of your learning preferences as well how you process information. This is important for you, the student, to understand because it will help you learn more about your learning style and how you learn best, thus being able to be a more successful student.

Use These Guidelines to Complete the Questionnaire

1. Be honest. Fill out the answers to this questionnaire as truthfully as possible; this is your learning style so be sure to be 100% honest. The results will be even closer!
2. Select multiple answers. If you see a question that has a few answers that you agree with, check them. Don't limit yourself to just one choice if you feel that two, three, or even all of them suit you! This also isn't a bad thing, so don't worry about getting poor results!
3. Take your time. This questionnaire is only 16 questions long and seems short, but be sure to take your time and read the questions. A few wrong answers could skew the results, so proceed slowly and cautiously!

1. You are helping someone who wants to go to your airport, town center, or railway station. You would:

1. go with her.
2. tell her the directions.
3. write down the directions.
4. draw or give her a map.

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

1. see the words in your mind and choose by the way they look.
2. think about how each word sounds and choose one.
3. find it in a dictionary.
4. write both words down on paper and choose one.

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

1. describe some of the highlights.
2. use a map or Web site to show them the places.
3. give them a copy of the printed itinerary.
4. phone, send text, or send e-mail to them.

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

1. cook something you know without the need for instructions.
2. ask friends for suggestions.
3. look through the cookbook for ideas from the pictures.
4. use a cookbook where you know there is a good recipe.

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

1. talk about or arrange a talk for them about parks or wildlife reserves.
2. show them Internet pictures, photographs, or picture books.
3. take them to a park or wildlife reserve and walk with them.
4. give them books or pamphlets about the parks or wildlife reserves.

6. You are about to purchase a digital camera or mobile phone. Other than price, what would most influence your decision?

1. Trying or testing it.
2. Reading the details about its features.
3. It is a modern design and looks good.
4. The salesperson telling me about its features.

7. Remember a time when you learned how to do something new. Try to avoid choosing a physical skill, eg., riding a bike. You learned best by:

1. watching a demonstration.
2. listening to somebody explaining it and asking questions.
3. diagrams and charts - visual clues.
4. written instructions - e.g., a manual or textbook.

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

1. gave you something to read to explain what was wrong.
2. used a plastic model to show what was wrong.
3. described what was wrong.
4. showed you a diagram of what was wrong.

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

1. read the written instructions that came with the program.
2. talk with people who know about the program.
3. use the controls or keyboard.
4. follow the diagrams in the book that came with it.

10. I like Web sites that have:

1. things I can click on, shift, or try.
2. interesting design and visual features.
3. interesting written descriptions, lists, and explanations.
4. audio channels where I can hear music, radio programs, or interviews.

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

1. The way it looks is appealing.
2. Quickly reading parts of it.
3. A friend talks about it and recommends it.
4. It has real-life stories, experiences, and examples.

12. You are using a book, CD, or Web site to learn how to take photos with your new digital camera. You would like to have:

1. a chance to ask questions and talk about the camera and its features.
2. clear written instructions with lists and bullet points about what to do.
3. diagrams showing the camera and what each part does.
4. many examples of good and poor photos and how to improve them.

13. Do you prefer a teacher or presenter who uses:

1. demonstrations, models, or practical sessions.
2. question and answer, talk, group discussion, or guest speakers.
3. handouts, books, or readings.
4. diagrams, charts, or graphs.

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

1. using examples from what you have done.
2. using a written description of your results.
3. handouts, books, or readings.
4. diagrams, charts, or graphs.

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

1. choose something that you have had there before.
2. listen to the waiter or ask friends to recommend choices.
3. choose from the descriptions in the menu.
4. look at what others are eating or look at pictures of each dish.

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

1. make diagrams or get graphs to help explain things.
2. write a few key words and practice saying your speech over and over.
3. write out your speech and learn from reading it over several times.
4. gather many examples and stories to make the talk real and practical.

FOR TRACKING PURPOSES ONLY

The following questions are designed to help us track the results of this learning style survey. All submitted surveys are anonymous, and only staff members of Tutoring Services will have access to the results.

Gender: Male Female

Student Status: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate Student

Additional Info: EOF Student Athlete DDS Student

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