Self-Assessment of Modality Strengths

Learning modality is a way of using sensory information to learn.

There are three modalities you use to process material into your memory. They are visual (lerning from seeing), auditory (learning from hearing) and kinesthetic (learning from touching, doing, moving).

Generally speaking, everyone has a predominant modality and many people have a balance between multiple senses. Knowing your primary sense of learning helps you know the best way to approach your own learning so you can seek methods which best suit you.

Complete this self assessment to find your best modality, then refer to our chart for recommended learning methods to get the best results.

Read each question or statement and circle the most appropriate answer. Some will be difficult to answer, but try to respond according to how you would react most often.

You usually remember more form a class lecture when: *

a. You do not take notes but listen very closely

b. You sit near the front of the room and watch the speaker

c. You take notes (whether or not you look at them again)

You usually solve problems by: *

a. Talking to yourself or a friend

b. Using an organized, systematic approach with lists, schedules, etc.

c. Walking, pacing or some other physical activity

You remember phone numbers (when you can't write them down) by: *

a. Repeating the numbers orally

b. "Seeing or "visualizing" the numbers in your mind

c. "Writing" the numbers with your finger on a table or wall

You find it easiest to learn something new by: *

a. Listening to someone explain how to do it

b. Watching a demonstration of how to do it

c. Trying it yourself

You remember most clearly from a movie: *

a. What the characters said, background noises and music

b. The setting, scenery and costumes

c. The feelings you experienced during the movie

When you go to the grocery store, you: *

a. Silently or orally repeat the grocery list

b. Walk up and down the aisles to see what you need

c. Usually remember what you need from the list you left at home

You are trying to remember something and so you: *

a. Hear in your mind what was said or the noises that occurred

b. Try to see it happen in your mind

c. Feel the way "it" reacted with your emotions

You learn a foreign language best by: *

a. Listening to records or tapes

b. Writing and using workbooks

c. Attending a class in which you read and write

You are confused about the correct spelling of a word and so you: *

a. Sound it out

b. Try to "see" the word in your mind

c. Write the word several different ways and choose the one that looks right

You enjoy reading most when you can read: *

a. Dialogue between two characters

b. Descriptive passages that allow you to create mental pictures

c. Stories with a lot of action in the beginning (because you have a hard time sitting still)

You usually remember people you have met by their: *

a. Names (you forget faces)

b. Faces (you forget names)

c. Mannerisms, motions, etc.

You are distracted most by: *

a. Noises

b. People

c. Environment (temperature, comfort of furniture, etc.)

You usually dress: *

a. Fairly well (but clothes are not very important to you)

b. Neatly (in a particular style)

c. Comfortably (so you can move easily)

You can't do anything physical and you can't read, so you choose to: *

a. Talk with a friend

b. Watch TV or look out a window

c. Move slightly in your chair or bed

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Your Full Name *