Learning Style Assessment
Discover your dominant learning style and get personalized study strategies based on the VARK model. This assessment takes just 2 minutes.
1. When learning something new, what do you prefer?
2. When studying, what helps you retain information best?
3. How do you feel when learning in a classroom setting?
4. How do you prefer to practice new skills?
Ever sat through a training session and felt like you were learning nothing, even though everyone else seemed to get it? Or maybe you tried studying from a textbook and just couldn’t hold onto the information - until you watched a video or started drawing diagrams. That’s not you being slow. It’s your brain working the way it’s wired. There are four main learning styles that explain why some people remember best by seeing, others by hearing, moving, or reading. Understanding yours can turn frustrating study sessions into breakthrough moments - especially as an adult juggling work, family, and personal growth.
Visual Learners: See It to Believe It
If you’ve ever found yourself sketching mind maps during meetings, coloring code in your notes, or needing to see a diagram before you understand a concept, you’re likely a visual learner. About 65% of the population leans this way, according to research from the Social Science Research Network. Visual learners don’t just like pretty slides - they need them to process information.
For adults, this means ditching dense text-heavy manuals. Instead, try watching short explainer videos on YouTube, using color-coded flashcards, or drawing flowcharts to connect ideas. Tools like Canva or Miro help turn abstract concepts into images. One adult learner in Auckland, studying for a project management certification, told me she failed her first exam using only textbooks. After switching to drawing Gantt charts and color-coded timelines, she passed the next one with top marks.
Auditory Learners: Hear It to Own It
Do you remember conversations better than written instructions? Do you talk yourself through problems out loud? Do you find yourself humming a tune to remember a formula? You’re probably an auditory learner. These learners absorb information best through sound - spoken words, rhythm, tone, and even silence between sentences.
As an adult, this means recording lectures or podcasts and listening while walking, cooking, or commuting. Audiobooks on learning platforms like Audible or Libby are gold. Group discussions, study groups, or even explaining concepts to a friend (or your pet) can solidify understanding. One nurse returning to education after 15 years said she relearned anatomy by recording her own voice reading muscle names and playing them back during her commute. She didn’t need to reread a single page.
Kinesthetic Learners: Move to Learn
If you zone out during long lectures but remember everything after doing something - building a model, role-playing a scenario, or even pacing while thinking - you’re a kinesthetic learner. This style is often misunderstood as “restlessness,” but it’s actually a deep need to engage the body with the mind.
Adults with this style thrive in hands-on training. Online courses that offer simulations, labs, or interactive quizzes work better than passive video lectures. Try using flashcards you can physically sort, building Lego models to represent business processes, or walking while reciting key points. A mechanic in Christchurch studying for his electrical certification used a real circuit board to practice wiring while saying each step aloud. He passed on his first try - the others who only read manuals didn’t.
Reading/Writing Learners: Words Are Your Weapon
For some, the written word is king. You take detailed notes. You rephrase ideas in your own words. You feel more confident after reading an article twice. You might even enjoy textbooks more than videos. This style is common among academics, but it’s also the most overvalued in traditional education systems - which assume everyone learns best from text.
Adults who fit here benefit from rewriting summaries, creating lists, journaling key takeaways, or reading case studies. Don’t just highlight - rewrite entire sections in your own language. One teacher returning to university for a master’s degree said she struggled with group projects until she started writing mini-essays after every lecture. She didn’t just remember the content - she could argue it, defend it, and teach it.
Most People Use a Mix - But One Usually Dominates
The VARK model (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic) is the most widely accepted framework for learning styles, developed by Neil Fleming in the 1980s. It’s not perfect - some researchers debate whether learning styles affect outcomes - but for adult learners, it’s a practical tool. Why? Because it helps you stop blaming yourself when traditional methods fail.
Most people use more than one style. But rarely are all four equally strong. One person might be 60% visual, 30% reading/writing, and 10% auditory. That’s fine. The goal isn’t to be balanced - it’s to identify your strongest channel and build your learning strategy around it.
Try this quick test: Think about the last time you learned something new. What did you do? Did you watch a video? Listen to a podcast? Write it down? Act it out? That’s your hint.
How to Build a Personal Learning Plan
Once you know your style, tweak your routine. Here’s how:
- Visual learners: Use diagrams, mind maps, videos, and color coding. Apps like Notion or Obsidian with visual templates help.
- Auditory learners: Record yourself, join discussion forums, use text-to-speech tools, and explain concepts aloud.
- Kinesthetic learners: Build, move, simulate, touch. Use physical flashcards, role-play, or hands-on kits.
- Reading/writing learners: Write summaries, take notes in full sentences, read articles twice, and create lists.
Don’t force yourself into a style that doesn’t fit. If you’re a kinesthetic learner stuck in a Zoom lecture, ask for a downloadable PDF so you can print and annotate it. If you’re a visual learner in a book club, sketch the plot structure on paper. Small changes make big differences.
Why This Matters for Adult Learners
Adults don’t have the luxury of sitting in a classroom for hours. We learn in fragments - during lunch breaks, after kids go to bed, on weekend mornings. Our time is limited. If you’re using the wrong method, you’re wasting it.
Studies show adult learners who match their study method to their learning style retain information 30-40% longer than those who don’t. That’s not a small edge - it’s the difference between passing and failing, between promotion and stagnation, between confidence and frustration.
It also reduces cognitive load. When your brain doesn’t have to fight the medium, it can focus on the message. You’re not trying to force a square peg into a round hole. You’re using the right tool for the job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even when you know your style, it’s easy to fall into traps:
- Only using one method: You’re a visual learner? Don’t ignore audio entirely. Mix it up. Your brain learns better with multiple inputs.
- Believing you’re “bad at learning”: You’re not. You just haven’t found your groove yet.
- Copying someone else’s system: Your friend learns by listening to podcasts. That doesn’t mean you should. Your brain isn’t theirs.
- Waiting for perfect conditions: You don’t need a quiet room or a $500 app. A phone, a notebook, and 15 minutes are enough.
One adult learner in Wellington started studying for her accounting certificate using only her phone’s voice recorder. She spoke her answers out loud while walking the dog. Six months later, she passed - and said she never would’ve if she’d tried to read the textbook cover to cover.
Final Thought: Learn Like You, Not Like a Textbook
School taught us that learning looks a certain way: sit still, read quietly, take notes, memorize. But adult learning isn’t school. It’s survival. It’s advancement. It’s reclaiming control over your future.
You don’t need to be the best student. You just need to be the best version of yourself - learning in a way that fits your life, your brain, and your rhythm. Whether you’re learning to code, preparing for a promotion, or just trying to understand your taxes - your learning style is your secret advantage. Use it.
Can someone have more than one learning style?
Yes, most people use a mix of all four learning styles. But one usually stands out as the strongest. The key is identifying your dominant style and using it as your main approach, while still using others as supports. For example, a visual learner might still benefit from listening to a podcast after drawing a diagram - it reinforces the idea, it doesn’t replace the method.
Are learning styles backed by science?
There’s debate. Some studies, like those from the American Psychological Association, say there’s little evidence that matching teaching methods to learning styles improves outcomes. But for adult learners, the real value isn’t in proving the theory - it’s in personal insight. If you feel more confident and remember more when you use diagrams or talk out loud, then it’s working for you. Practical results matter more than academic debates.
What if my job requires me to learn in a way that doesn’t match my style?
You can’t always control how information is delivered - but you can control how you receive it. If you’re forced to read a manual, rewrite it in your own words. If you’re stuck in a lecture, sketch the key points as you hear them. If you’re given audio, transcribe it into bullet points. Adapt the medium to your brain, not the other way around.
Can I change my learning style?
You can’t fundamentally change how your brain processes information, but you can get better at using other styles. It’s like learning to write with your non-dominant hand - it’s harder, but it’s possible. Start small. If you’re a kinesthetic learner, try listening to one podcast a week. Over time, your brain will adapt. But don’t force it. Stick with your strongest style as your anchor.
What’s the fastest way to find out my learning style?
Look back at your last successful learning experience. How did you learn it? Did you watch a video? Write notes? Build something? Talk through it? That’s your style. You don’t need a quiz. Just reflect. The most accurate tool is your own memory - not a test.
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