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Representational System Preference Test3

Representational System Preference Test

Learn whether you process information mainly through images, sound, feelings, or logic in about 5 minutes. Use the insight to tailor communication for better coaching, teaching, therapy, and teamwork.

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Questions: 55 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

18,276 views

1,306 completions

1,124 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

13/20

Digital (D)

Measures the tendency to process information through logic, analysis, and internal verbal reasoning rather than primarily through sensory impressions.

Lower digital preference

Moderate digital preference

Higher digital preference

5 – 9: Lower digital preference | 10 – 15: Moderate digital preference | 16 – 20: Higher digital preference

A score of 13 falls in the moderate range, suggesting a balanced use of structured, analytical thinking alongside other representational systems.

example score

12/20

Visual (V)

Measures the degree to which a person tends to perceive and process information primarily through visual images and cues.

Low visual preference

Moderate visual preference

High visual preference

5 – 9: Low visual preference | 10 – 15: Moderate visual preference | 16 – 20: High visual preference

A score of 12 indicates a moderate preference for visual processing, suggesting visuals can be helpful but are not the only channel relied on.

example score

13/20

Auditory (A)

Measures the degree to which a person prefers processing and recalling information through sounds, speech, and intonation.

Low auditory preference

Moderate auditory preference

High auditory preference

5 – 10: Low auditory preference | 11 – 15: Moderate auditory preference | 16 – 20: High auditory preference

A score of 13 suggests a moderate auditory preference, indicating you often notice and use verbal cues and intonation, but other channels may be similarly influential.

example score

14/20

Kinesthetic (K)

Measures how strongly a person tends to perceive and process information through bodily sensations, movement, and hands-on experience.

Low

Moderate

High

5 – 9: Low | 10 – 15: Moderate | 16 – 20: High

A score of 14 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable preference for learning and communicating through practical experience and physical sensations, though other channels may also be used.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Coaches and therapists

41%OF USERS

They use it to quickly identify a client’s dominant perception channel and tailor questions, exercises, and communication.

Teachers and trainers

34%OF USERS

They take it to understand how learners best absorb information and adjust explanations, materials, and feedback.

Self-development seekers

25%OF USERS

They take it out of curiosity to learn how they think and communicate and to improve study, work, and relationships.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Digital (D)

Average

13.7

Normal range

11.5 — 15.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Visual (V)

Average

15.4

Normal range

12.7 — 18.1

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Auditory (A)

Average

15.1

Normal range

12.8 — 17.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Kinesthetic (K)

Average

14.8

Normal range

12.8 — 16.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Read the set of statements. For each item, rank the four phrases from most to least applicable by assigning 4 to the phrase that best describes you, 3 to the next most applicable phrase, and so on, ending with 1 for the phrase that describes you least. Complete this ranking for each of the five items.

- gut feelings
- which option sounds best
- what looks best to me
- a precise and thorough review of the issue
- the other person's tone of voice
- whether I can see the other person's point of view
- the logic of the other person's arguments
- whether I can get in touch with the other person's true feelings
- my style of clothing
- the feelings I can share
- the words I choose
- the tone of my voice

These are 3 of the 5 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Representational System Preference Test - Symptoms and Signs

representational system

This brief self-report measure is used to screen for an individual’s preferred modality for perceiving and processing information, as conceptualized in representational systems. The Representational System Preference Test is typically used to identify relative preferences across visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and analytically oriented (often termed “digital”) channels.

It consists of 5 items and takes about 5 minutes to complete. Content is generally framed as forced-choice or preference-based questions intended to highlight the modality a respondent most often relies on in thinking and communication. Results are usually interpreted descriptively to inform communication style, coaching, or clinical rapport-building rather than as a diagnostic indicator. A version of the measure is commonly attributed in secondary sources to Richard Bandler and John Grinder; interpretive conventions for the Representational System Preference Test may vary across editions and translations.

Author: John Grinder, Richard Bandler

Literature: Lewis, B. A., & Pucelik, R. F. Magic of NLP demystified. Metamorphous Press. 1982.; Bandler, R., & Grinder, J. The structure of magic I: A book about language and therapy. Science and Behavior Books. 1975.; Hall, L. M., & Bodenhamer, B. The user’s manual for the brain: The complete manual for neuro-linguistic programming practitioner certification. Crown House Publishing. 2004.