Test - Which are your strongest 'intelligences'?

Most people still believe that their capacity to learn is determined by intelligence. The IQ test we took as children was supposed to measure your capacity to learn and predict your success in school. However, modern psychologists have debunked this whole idea of a single capacity called intelligence. You have at least seven intelligences - and you can use most of them to enhance your learning.

Each of the intelligence types, as noted above, is a particular kind of learning talent that seems to come easily. One person may excel competing in sports, playing a musical instrument, or solving math problems; another might find it easy to empathize with others' needs, build a birdhouse, or learn a language. The precise combination of skills can arise from a combination of talent and environmental factors.

Most of us have a pretty good idea of which of these intelligences we've cultivated the most and in which we feel strong. Here's a simple exercise that will pinpoint some of your strengths.

 Check the numbers of those descriptions that you feel apply to you.

  1. You easily remember beautiful phrases or memorable quotes and use them deftly in

      conversation.

  2. You sense quickly when someone you are with is troubled about something.

  3. You are fascinated by scientific and philosophical questions like, "When did time begin?"

  4. You can find your way around a new area or neighborhood very quickly.

  5. You are regarded as quite graceful and rarely feel awkward in your movements.

  6. You can sing on key.

  7. You regularly read the science pages of your newspaper and look at magazines on science

      or technology.

  8. You note other people's errors in using words or grammar, even if you don't correct them.

  9. You figure out how something works or how to fix something that's broken.

  10. You can readily imagine how other people play the roles they do in their work or families

        and imaginatively see yourself in their roles.

  11. You can remember in detail the layout and landmarks of places you've visited on

         vocations.

  12. You enjoy music and have favorite performers.

  13. You like to draw.

  14. You dance well.

  15. You organize things in your kitchen, bathroom, and at your desk according to categories

        and in patterns.

  16. You feel confident in interpreting what other people do in terms of what they are feeling.

  17. You like to tell stories and are considered a good storyteller.

  18. You enjoy hearing different sounds in your environment.

  19. When you meet new people, you often make connections between their characteristics

        and those of other acquaintances.

  20. You feel you have a keen sense of what you can and can't do.

If all three of any of the following trios applies to you, you probably are strong in that intelligence, even if you haven't cultivated it.

Questions 1, 8, and 17:    linguistic intelligence

Questions 6, 12, and 18:  musical intelligence

Questions 3, 7, and 15:    logical-mathematical intelligence

Questions 4, 11, and 13:  spatial intelligence

Questions 5, 9, and 14:     bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

Questions 10, 16, and 20: intra-personal intelligence (knowing yourself)

Questions 2, 10, and 19:   inter-personal intelligence (knowing others)