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 items written in our own words.
- approx. 5 min
- Methodology modeled on VVIQ (Marks, 1973)
- No account needed
- Instant results
Take the VST-16 Test
Take 5 minutes in a quiet, undisturbed environment.
Estimated duration: approx. 5 min
VST-16 – Visual Spectrum Test
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); the items are written in our own words and informed by published research methods. It is a self-assessment, not a psychometrically validated instrument, and does not replace clinical assessment.
How the test works:
- 1You will see 16 scenarios in 4 groups
- 2Picture each scenario – with your eyes open or closed, whichever is easier for you, but the same way for every question
- 3Rate on a scale from 1–5 how clear and vivid your mental image is
- 4There are no right or wrong answers – be honest with yourself
Developed in-house on the basis of the research literature. Modelled on established instruments, but not independently validated. Not a diagnostic procedure – the results are intended for self-assessment.
What does the VST-16 measure?
Our own self-test, based on the VVIQ (Marks 1973). Not validated, not a diagnosis, not a clinical screening.
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. The 16 items are written by aphantasie.org in its own words and informed by published research methods.
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 up to 32 are used in research as a convention for aphantasia in the broad sense – 16 means no voluntary images, 17–32 weak imagery (hypophantasia; Wright et al. 2024) – (Dance et al. 2021, 2022; Dawes et al. 2020; Keogh et al. 2021; Wicken et al. 2021) — the boundary is arbitrary (Blomkvist & Marks 2023). These cut-offs come from studies using the original VVIQ; for the VST-16 they are carried over, not separately tested.
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.
How it works
How to take the Visual Spectrum Test (VST-16) correctly.
- Choose a quiet environmentSit down in a quiet place without distractions for about 5 minutes. Visual imagery requires mental focus.
- Eyes open or closed – your choiceYou can answer with your eyes open or closed; many people find imagining easier with closed eyes. Every question has a “Close your eyes” button for this: the screen goes dark and after about 8 seconds a soft tone brings you back. Use the same approach for every question so the answers stay comparable. (In the first version of the VVIQ from 1973, each scene is rated twice, eyes open and eyes closed; the common version following the 1995 instructions and the VST-16 ask once.)
- Rate 16 scenarios honestlyFor each scenario, rate how vividly the image forms in your mind — on a scale from 1 (no image) to 5 (extremely vivid).
- Don't overthink the 'right' answerThe VST-16 measures your subjective experience. Answer intuitively. There is no right or wrong answer.
- Interpret your resultAfter the last item, you'll see your score (16–80) and its range. 16–32 is the aphantasia/hypophantasia range (research convention per Dance et al. 2021/2022, Dawes et al. 2020, Keogh et al. 2021 and Wicken et al. 2021; the boundary is arbitrary, Blomkvist & Marks 2023), 75–80 the hyperphantasia range; typical imagery lies in between.
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, D. J. et al. (2024). An international estimate of the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities. Frontiers in Psychology.
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 items written in our own words.
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?
The result names five ranges: 16–32 aphantasia/hypophantasia range (research convention per Dance et al. 2021/2022, Dawes et al. 2020, Keogh et al. 2021 and Wicken et al. 2021; 16 = no voluntary images, 17–32 = weak imagery). 33–48 typical imagery, on the weaker side; 49–66 typical imagery, middle range; 67–74 typical imagery, on the vivid side; 75–80 hyperphantasia range. The middle bands are an orientation aid of this site; four classes are published (16 / 17–32 / 33–74 / 75–80, Wright et al. 2024). All these cut-offs come from studies using the original VVIQ and are carried over to the VST-16, not separately tested.
Is the VST-16 scientifically validated?
The VST-16 follows the methodology of the validated VVIQ (Marks, 1973), but contains items written in our own words 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 numerous studies. The VST-16 is our own self-test with the same methodology and items written in our own words. More about the original 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 of 75 or above 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.
Does the test show me a single object like an apple to visualize?
Some quick online quizzes (including a well-known BBC version) ask you to picture one object — an apple, a starry sky, a horse. The VST-16 instead uses four everyday scenes (a kitchen, a market, a train journey, and rain) with four visualization angles each, which gives more to go on than judging a single image while still taking only about 5 minutes.
Is there a kids' version of the aphantasia test?
The VST-16 is designed for adults and uses adult scenarios (shopping, travel, weather). It is not intended for children (it is not validated for adults either). If you want to assess a child's visualization ability, talk to a pediatric neuropsychologist rather than relying on a self-test built for adults.
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