In NLP, representational systems describe the ways we naturally process, store, recall and make sense of information. They also influence how we re-present our map in our communication. The four main systems are visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), kinaesthetic (feeling and experience), and auditory digital (internal dialogue, logic, and self-talk). Understanding your preferred representational system can help you communicate more effectively, enhance learning and memory, build stronger rapport with others, and increase self-awareness.

Complete the questionnaire below to discover your natural preference and gain insights into how it may influence the way you think, learn, make decisions, and interact with the world around you.

Finding Your Representational System

Answer each statement with a score from 1–4. In every question, use each number once (4, 3, 2, 1). Your V / A / K / AD pattern updates in real time as you go.

V / A / K / AD scores

These totals update automatically as you adjust your answers.

System Style Total
V Visual 0
A Auditory 0
K Kinaesthetic 0
AD Auditory Digital 0
⏳ 20 statement(s) left to score

Visual snapshot (👁 / 👂 / ❤️ / 🧠)

The pie chart shows the relative strength of each system based on your current scores.

★ Self-assessment
Scoring: For each question, rank the four statements using the numbers 4, 3, 2 and 1 once each.
4 = Closest to describing you · 3 = Next best · 2 = Next · 1 = Not like you at all.
Question 1 – I make important decisions based on:
Gut feelings
The way that sounds best to me at the time
Whatever looks best at the time
Studying and reviewing the information very precisely
Question 2 – In an argument, I am most likely to be influenced by:
The other person’s tone of voice
Whether or not I can see the other person’s point of view
The logic of the other person’s argument
Whether or not I am in touch with the other person’s true feelings
Question 3 – I communicate how I am to everyone by:
The way I dress and look
The feelings I share with others
The words I choose
The tone of my voice
Question 4 – An easy task for me would be to:
Find the ideal volume and tuning point on a stereo system
Select the most relevant point in an intellectual topic
Select the most comfortable furniture
Choose a really effective colour scheme for a room
Question 5 – Place these points in order (score each 1–4):
I am much attuned to my surroundings
I am very skilled at making sense of new facts and data
I am very sensitive to the way clothes feel when I wear them
I have a strong response to colours and the way a room looks
🎯 Your current pattern

Start scoring the statements to see which representational system is emerging for you.

As you move through the questions, your strongest channels of experience – seeing, hearing, feeling, or internal dialogue – will begin to stand out.

This is a snapshot of your preference right now, not a permanent label.


Want to find out more about how your preferred representational system influences you and potentially impacts your communication and relationships?

Just drop Jo an email at jo@beyondnlptraining.com and we can arrange a chat


To access more free resources and find out about Jo’s free introductory workshops and other trainings