The 7 Learning Styles Explained: Find Yours to Transform How You Study

Not every student learns the same way. While some people can read a chapter once and retain every detail, others need to hear information out loud to make it stick. Some do their best thinking alone, while others only fully process ideas by talking them through. These aren't personality quirks; they're genuine differences in how our brains absorb and retain new material. More formally, they're called learning styles, and understanding yours allows you to work smarter as you get ready for Test Prep, College Readiness, and everything in between.

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When you know how you learn best, you can tailor your study habits, communicate more effectively with your Cram Crew Consultants and teachers, and find an approach to studying that truly works for you.

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Here's a breakdown of the most widely recognized learning styles, what they look like in practice, and the study strategies we've found to be most effective for each.

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How Learning Styles Are Defined

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The most widely used learning style model is called VARK (developed by educator Neil Fleming in 1987), which identifies four primary learning preferences: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. Alongside VARK, researchers and psychologists have expanded the model to include styles such as Logical, Social, and Solitary, to account for social tendencies, analytical thinking, and even environmental factors.

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Before breaking each down, it's important to note that most people are a blend of styles, not a perfect fit into just one. As you identify the styles that feel like you, you'll be able to blend their study strategies to improve retention and transform the way you study for the better.

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VARK Learning Styles

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1.  Visual Learners

Visual learners understand information best when it's presented spatially, through diagrams, charts, timelines, color-coding, and maps. It's not necessarily about learning through photos or videos, but rather visual tools that help identify the relationship between ideas and present information in a way they can easily see and organize.

What it looks like: A visual learner may prefer a web of connected concepts over writing an essay, finding that this kind of visual tool makes it easier to locate and recall information.

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Study strategies that may work best for visual learners:

• Create mind maps or concept diagrams when preparing for exams
• Use color-coded notes or highlighters to visually separate key ideas
• Convert text-heavy information into flowcharts or timelines
• Ask your Cram Crew Consultant to diagram processes rather than explain them verbally

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2.  Auditory Learners

Auditory learners absorb information best through listening and speaking; they often process ideas more clearly after saying them aloud.They tend to thrive in lectures, discussions, and verbal explanation, and may find that reading alone feels less effective than having someone walk through the material with them.

What it looks like: An auditory learner may re-explain a concept aloud to themselves after class, or find studying in a group, or with their Cram Crew Consultant, more helpful than studying independently.

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Study strategies that may work best for auditory learners:

• Record yourself summarizing notes and play them back
• Study with a partner and quiz each other verbally
• Read key passages aloud rather than silently
• Use sessions with your Cram Crew Consultant as a chance to think out loud—don't just listen, engage and respond

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3. Reading/Writing Learners

For reading/writing learners, text is the most powerful medium. They absorb information best by writing it down and reading it back, and they tend to perform well on written assignments and exams that require organized, thorough responses.

What it looks like: This learner instinctively takes notes—and often rewrites them. They may transform charts or visual data into written explanations to make sense of the material.

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Study strategies that may work best for reading/writing learners:

• Rewrite notes in your own words after class to consolidate understanding
• Translate diagrams and graphs into written descriptions
• Use lists, outlines, and definitions as primary study tools
• Practice material through written practice tests and essay questions

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4.  Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners need to do something with information to retain it. They learn through hands-on experiences, practice, real-world examples, and experimentation, often finding the most success when studying feels active rather than passive.

What it looks like: A kinesthetic learner may find that working through practice problems or completing hands-on activities is far more effective in retaining information than re-reading notes. They often understand a concept more fully once they've applied it to a real-world scenario.

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Study strategies that may work best for kinesthetic learners:

• Prioritize practice problems and sample tests over re-reading
• Use real-world scenarios or case studies when learning abstract concepts
• Study in shorter, more active bursts rather than long passive sessions
• Work through problems step-by-step with your Cram Crew Consultant during sessions rather than just watching

Additional Learning Styles Worth Knowing

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1. Logical Learners

These learners are driven by logic, patterns, and cause-and-effect relationships. They want to understand why something is true, rather than simply memorizing that it is.

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Study strategies that may work best for logical learners:

• Use "if-then" frameworks to map out reasoning and processes
• Prioritize understanding underlying principles over rote memorization
• Organize information by category or sequence
• Break complex problems into steps before attempting to solve them

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2. Social Learners

Social learners process information best through interaction. They often don't fully understand something until they've talked about it—explaining a concept to someone else or hearing different perspectives in discussion, cements their understanding in a way that solo study doesn't.

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Study strategies that may work best for social learners:

• Studying in groups and  Cram Crew sessions
• Verbal review sessions, debates, and collaborative problem-solving
• Teaching a concept to a friend or sibling

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3. Solitary Learners

The flip side of social learners, solitary learners do their best work independently and with minimal distraction. They thrive when given space to focus, and often find that structured solo time leads to their strongest retention.

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Study strategies that may work best for solitary learners:

• Protect focused, uninterrupted study blocks
• Journaling, self-quizzing, and personal goal-setting
• Participating in consistent one-on-one sessions

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What Should You Do With This Information

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As you discover your learning style and preferences, make sure to communicate this information to your Cram Crew Consultant. With an understanding of your learning style, your Consultant will be able to help you adjust your study strategies and set you up for success.

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Just remember: no learning style is better than another! Every student who understands how they learn has an edge. The goal is to figure out what works for you, and build from there.