Is this a trick question?
In recent times the popular theory that we have a singular learning style has been debunked. We learn in many ways depending on the context. d that we don’t have a single learning style, it’s more of a preference and this can be useful to know when helping others to learn.
This test can be used though to get a greater understand of the preference to learn. But use the information lightly, don’t plan learning based solely on these results. Go deeper and push yourself to be creative.
Each test tends to segment people into different groups based on answers to a collection of questions. Which segment you fall in can then be used to make general observations about personality traits or attributes that tend to be associated with people similar to you. Therefore from here, you can find out which way of learning is likely to suit you best.
Below is a Honey and Mumford test, one that we at Optimus tend to use to gauge our learning style most often. We have a whole mix of all of the learning styles at Optimus and we would love to hear your results!
To complete the test, put a tick in the corresponding box for each of the statements you feel you agree with more than you disagree when describing yourself.
Results
For each question you ticked, give that column one point depending on which column the question falls under. How many points each column gets indicates how strongly you will match the description of each learning style. Remember, most people are a strong mix of 2 or even 3 styles so don’t be put off if most of your points aren’t in any one column. The learning style descriptions can be found below (they are the original descriptions given by Honey and Mumford).
Pragmatist
Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work in practice. They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications. They are the sort of people who return from courses brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice. They like to get on with things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them. They tend to be impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions. They are essentially practical, down to earth people who like making practical decisions and solving problems. They respond to problems and opportunities ‘as a challenge’. Their philosophy is “There is always a better way” and “If it works it’s good”.
Reflector
Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from many different perspectives. They collect data, both first hand and from others, and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. The thorough collection and analysis of data about experiences and events is what counts so they tend to postpone reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible. Their philosophy is to be cautious. They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possible angles and implications before making a move. They prefer to take a back seat in meetings and discussions. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get the drift of the discussion before making their own points. They tend to adopt a low profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant unruffled air about them. When they act it is part of a wide picture which includes the past as well as the present and others’ observations as well as their own.
Theorist
Theorists adapt and integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories. They think problems through in a vertical, step-by-step logical way. They assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories. They tend to be perfectionists who won’t rest easy until things are tidy and fit into a rational scheme. They like to analyse and synthesize. They are keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories models and systems thinking. Their philosophy prizes rationality and logic. “If its logical its good.” Questions they frequently ask are: “Does it make sense?” “How does this fit with that?” “What are the basic assumptions?” They tend to be detached, analytical and dedicated to rational objectivity rather than anything subjective or ambiguous. Their approach to problems is consistently logical. This is their ‘mental set’ and they rigidly reject anything that doesn’t fit with it. They prefer to maximise certainty and feel uncomfortable with subjective judgements, lateral thinking and anything flippant.
Activist
Activists involve themselves fully and without bias in new experiences. They enjoy the here and now, and are happy to be dominated by immediate experiences. They are open-minded, not sceptical, and this tends to make them enthusiastic about anything new. Their philosophy is: “I’ll try anything once”. They tend to act first and consider the consequences afterwards. Their days are filled with activity. They tackle problems by brainstorming. As soon as the excitement from one activity has died down they are busy looking for the next. They tend to thrive on the challenge of new experiences but are bored with implementation and longer term consolidation. They are gregarious people constantly involving themselves with others but, in doing so, they seek to centre all activities around themselves.
This is just one of several different choices of learning styles tests. Others such as the VAK and Kolb tests are also useful resources that you may feel help you even more, so we recommend you try these as well. We hope you find them useful and hopefully allow you to make the most of your brain when learning new things!
