VARK is one of the best-known models of how people prefer to learn. The acronym stands for four sensory channels: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinaesthetic. It was developed by educator Neil Fleming to help learners and teachers talk about learning preferences.

Here's what each one means - and study tips that suit each preference.

Visual (V)

Visual learners prefer information presented as images: charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams. They often think in pictures and notice layout and design.

Study tip: Turn notes into diagrams, then redraw them from memory.

Auditory (A)

Auditory learners prefer hearing and discussing information. They often remember what was said in a conversation better than what they read.

Study tip: Explain topics aloud to a friend, then answer their questions without your notes.

Reading/Writing (R)

Reading/Writing learners prefer information as text. They like lists, definitions, and well-organised notes, and they reinforce learning by writing things down.

Study tip: Rewrite notes in your own words, then write answers to practice questions from memory.

Kinaesthetic (K)

Kinaesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing: hands-on practice, real examples, and movement. Long stretches of reading can feel hard going.

Study tip: Learn through practice problems, models and experiments, and take movement breaks.

The limits of VARK

VARK describes preferences, not abilities, and it only covers how you like to receive information - not how you think about it. Research has also not found that teaching people in their preferred mode helps them learn more (Pashler et al., 2008). Every tip above works because it makes you recall or explain the material, which helps whatever your preference.

That's why the Study Style Test looks beyond VARK, to 16 learning styles including thinking styles like Logical, Analytical, Holistic, and Intuitive - and pairs your result with a study plan built on research-backed techniques.

Which VARK type are you?

You can usually feel your strongest channel, but most people are multimodal - a mix of two or more. To see your full profile, take the test.