The SuccessTypes Learning Style Type Indicator

by John W. Pelley, Ph.D.

Each of the questions or statements below represent opposites in your thinking when you are learning¹. Choose the one that describes the way you really are. It is common to want to choose the one that represents what you want to be or what others think you ought to be. Try to imagine that you are learning for yourself and not for a teacher and that there is no grade involved. For example, you are learning about something that interests you like a new hobby or outside interest. Just enter the boldface letter of your choice in the box to the left, so that you can total them when you are done.

Choose the description that best fits you.	1.	E	I study best with other people.	I	I study best by myself.
	2.	E	When I study with other people, I get the most out of expressing my thoughts.	I	When I study with other people, I get the most out of listening to what others have to say.
	3.	E	When I study with other people, I get the most out of quick, trial-and-error thinking.	I	When I study with other people, I get the most out of thinking things through before I say them.
	4.	E	I prefer to start my learning by doing something active and then considering the results later.	I	I prefer to start my learning by considering something thoroughly and then doing something active with it later.
	5.	E	I need frequent breaks when I study and interruptions don't bother me.	I	I can study for very long stretches and interruptions are not welcome.
	6.	E	I prefer to demonstrate what I know.	I	I prefer to describe what I know.
	7.	E	I like to know what other people expect of me.	I	I like to set my own standards for my learning.
	8.	S	I am more patient with routine or details in my study.	N	I am more patient with abstract or complex material.
	9.	S	I am very uncomfortable with errors of fact.	N	I consider errors of fact to be another useful way to learn.
	10.	S	I am very uncomfortable when part of my learning is left to my imagination.	N	I am bored when everything I am supposed to learn is presented explicitly.
	11.	S	I prefer to learn fewer skills and get really good at them.	N	I prefer to keep learning new skills and I'll get good at them when I have to.
	12.	S	I learn much better in a hands-on situation to see what-is.	N	I learn much better when I'm thinking about the possibilities to imagine what might be.
	13.	S	I prefer to learn things that are useful and based on established principles.	N	I prefer to learn things that are original and stimulate my imagination.
	14.	S	I always re-examine my answers on test questions just to be sure.	N	I usually trust my first hunches about test questions.
	15.	S	I emphasize observation over imagination.	N	I emphasize imagination over observation.
	16.	S	I'm more comfortable when the professor sticks closely to the handout.	N	I'm likely to get bored if the professor sticks closely to the handout.
	17.	T	I prefer to have a logical reason for what I learn.	F	I prefer to see the human consequences of what I learn.
	18.	T	I prefer a logically organized teacher to a personable teacher.	F	I prefer a personable teacher to a logically organized teacher.
	19.	T	I prefer group study as a way to give and receive critical analysis.	F	I prefer group study to be harmonious.
	20.	T	I prefer to study first what should be learned first.	F	I prefer to study first what appeals to me the most.
	21.	T	The best way to correct a study partner is to be blunt and direct.	F	The best way to correct a study partner is to be tactful and understanding.
	22.	J	I prefer to study in a steady, orderly fashion.	P	I prefer to study in a flexible, even impulsive, way.
	23.	J	I stay on schedule when I study regardless of how interesting the assignment is.	P	I tend to postpone uninteresting or unpleasant assignments.
	24.	J	I tend to be an overachiever in my learning.	P	I tend to be an underachiever in my learning.
	25.	J	I prefer to structure my study now to avoid emergencies later.	P	I prefer to stay flexible in my study and deal with emergencies when they arise.
	26.	J	I prefer to give answers based on the information I already have.	P	I prefer to seek more information before deciding on an answer.
	27.	J	I prefer to finish one assignment before starting another one.	P	I prefer to have several assignments going at once.
	28.	J	I like well defined learning assignments.	P	I like learning from open-ended problem solving.
Let's boil it down to four letters:	E or I		Record the letter which occurred the most for questions 1 - 7.
	S or N		Record the letter which occurred the most for questions 8 - 16.
	T or F		Record the letter which occurred the most for questions 17 - 21.
	J or P		Record the letter which occurred the most for questions 22 -28.

Now arrange the letters starting at the top, from left to right.	E or I	S or N	T or F	J or P
Based on the choices you made above, the four letter combination to the right could represent your type.

¹ This questionnaire was adapted from Table 5.1 in SuccessTypes for Medical Students, J.W. Pelley and B.K. Dalley (Texas Tech Univ. Extended Learning, 1997) and, with permission, from table on learning preferences in People Types and Tiger Stripes (3rd ed.,.pp. 43-46) by Gordon D. Lawrence,1995. Gainesville, FL; Center for Applications of Psychological Type.