More and more schools are turning to the Vark learning styles assessment tool to help determine how students prefer to study. The Vark learning styles assessment tool is a questionnaire that provides a series of questions to help students understand what their learning process is. Once students take this questionnaire and answers have been checked, the results can be given out. Students will be told that they prefer to learn visually, aurally, by reading/writing, kinesthetically or through a combination of one or more of the first four styles.

One of the greatest things about the Vark learning styles assessment tool is that there are no right or wrong answers. Students don't have to dread taking this test, because it will only help them and is not for a grade. Intelligence level doesn't have anything to do with this test and one student cannot do better than another.

The reason why it's so important that students take the Vark learning styles questionnaire is because everyone processes information differently. Once you understand how your brain is processing information, you can help it by studying in the ways most conducive to you. This can account for a rise in grades and self esteem. Once a student is no longer struggling with a subject because they know how to prepare for it, they will feel better about themselves and won't be as stressed out about tests or papers.

The first of the four Vark learning styles is reading/writing. This student will learn that they prefer to have information presented to them visually and in a written language format. They work well when their teacher presents important information to them in a bullet point format. This type of learning style excels when they color code notes and study sheets with highlighters.

The second of the four Vark learning styles is visual. This student prefers to always have a visual aid present during any presentation, lecture or study session. They learn best through videos, film, maps, diagrams and charts. This type of student may not like to work with study groups and prefer to study by themselves in a quiet room.

The third of the four Vark learning styles is aural. This student needs to hear a lesson out loud before they can truly begin to absorb the information. This person may find it hard to read silently and after class, they may need to read the information again out loud to actually retain it. Group discussions work well for this type of learner and it may be a good idea for this person to tape record lectures so they can listen to them later when they are studying.

The last of the four Vark learning styles is kinesthetic. This student is a real "hands on" learner. They do not like to be cooped up in a classroom listening to a lecture. They like to be a part of demonstrations, outdoor field work and lab work. They would much rather "do" than sit and take notes. It's important for this type of learner to sit in the front of a classroom because it will help them to pay attention when a teacher is lecturing.