VST-16 – Visual Imagery Test
A free self-test for measuring your visual imagery vividness. 16 everyday scenarios in 4 groups, scale 1–5. Methodology modeled on the VVIQ (Marks, 1973) — with entirely original items.
What does the VST-16 measure?
The VST-16 is aphantasie.org's own self-assessment. Its structure and scoring follow the methodology of established research questionnaires on the vividness of mental imagery (VVIQ: Marks, 1973; PSI-Q: Andrade et al., 2014); all items are original formulations. It is a self-assessment, not a psychometrically validated instrument, and does not replace clinical assessment.
The VST-16 (Visual Spectrum Test) is a self-test by aphantasie.org. Its structure and scoring follow the methodology of the VVIQ (Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, Marks 1973) — the most widely used instrument in aphantasia research. All 16 items are original formulations by aphantasie.org.
The test consists of 4 everyday scenes (Kitchen, Market, Train Ride, Rainy Night) with 4 items each. You rate on a scale from 1 (no image) to 5 (extremely vivid) how vivid your mental image is. Score 16–80; scores ≤32 are used in research as a convention for aphantasia (Zeman et al. 2015).
The VST-16 is a self-report measure, not a psychometrically validated instrument. It serves as a personal orientation tool and does not replace clinical assessment.
Methodological basis
- Marks, D.F. (1973). Visual imagery differences in the recall of pictures. British Journal of Psychology, 64(1), 17–24.
- Zeman, A. et al. (2015). Lives without imagery – Congenital aphantasia. Cortex.
- Wright, L. et al. (2024). An international estimate of the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities. Frontiers in Psychology.
Take the VST-16 Test
Take 5 minutes in a quiet, undisturbed environment.
Your data, your choice
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You can delete your locally stored test results and withdraw any previously given research consent here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the VST-16
What is the VST-16?
The VST-16 (Visual Spectrum Test) is an original self-test by aphantasie.org. It follows the methodology of the VVIQ (Marks, 1973) but contains entirely original items.
How long does the VST-16 take?
The VST-16 takes about 5 minutes. You answer 16 questions on a 5-point scale and get your result instantly.
What does my VST-16 score mean?
A score of 16–32 indicates aphantasia (research convention per Zeman et al. 2015). 33–48 is below average, 49–64 average, 65–75 very vivid, 76–80 indicates hyperphantasia.
Is the VST-16 scientifically validated?
The VST-16 follows the methodology of the validated VVIQ (Marks, 1973), but contains original items and has not been separately psychometrically validated. It is a self-report measure for personal orientation — not a diagnostic instrument.
What is the difference between the VST-16 and the VVIQ?
The VVIQ (Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire) is the original instrument by David Marks (1973) — a scientifically validated questionnaire used in over 200 studies. The VST-16 is our own self-test with the same methodology and original items. More about the original VVIQ: /tests/vviq
Can I use the VST-16 to test for hyperphantasia?
Yes. The VST-16 measures the full spectrum of visual imagery — from aphantasia to hyperphantasia. A score above 70 indicates hyperphantasia.
Is the VST-16 free?
Yes. The test is completely free, runs directly in your browser without registration, and delivers your result instantly.
More Tests & Topics
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Measure your imagination across all 7 senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and more.
Learn moreAbout the Original VVIQ
History, structure and significance of the VVIQ (Marks, 1973) in aphantasia research.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions about the VST-16 Test
What is the VST-16?
The VST-16 (Visual Spectrum Test) is an original self-test by aphantasie.org. It follows the methodology of the VVIQ (Marks, 1973) but contains entirely original items.
How long does the VST-16 take?
The VST-16 takes about 5 minutes. You answer 16 questions on a 5-point scale and get your result instantly.
What does my VST-16 score mean?
A score of 16–32 indicates aphantasia (research convention per Zeman et al. 2015). 33–48 is below average, 49–64 average, 65–75 very vivid, 76–80 indicates hyperphantasia.
Is the VST-16 scientifically validated?
The VST-16 follows the methodology of the validated VVIQ (Marks, 1973), but contains original items and has not been separately psychometrically validated. It is a self-report measure for personal orientation — not a diagnostic instrument.
What is the difference between the VST-16 and the VVIQ?
The VVIQ (Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire) is the original instrument by David Marks (1973) — a scientifically validated questionnaire used in over 200 studies. The VST-16 is our own self-test with the same methodology and original items. More about the original VVIQ: /tests/vviq
Can I use the VST-16 to test for hyperphantasia?
Yes. The VST-16 measures the full spectrum of visual imagery — from aphantasia to hyperphantasia. A score above 70 indicates hyperphantasia.
Is the VST-16 free?
Yes. The test is completely free, runs directly in your browser without registration, and delivers your result instantly.