Left-Brain/Right-Brain Test – Brain Dominance Questionnaire

Left-Brain/Right-Brain Test is available in the following languages:

EN

Basic information

Statements: 20
Duration: 3–5 minutes
Type: Self-Report Personality Quiz
Left Brain Dimensions Logic, Analysis, Sequencing, Detail Orientation, Language, Numerical Processing, Planning, Literal Thinking
Right Brain Dimensions Creativity, Intuition, Holistic Thinking, Imagination, Pattern Recognition, Emotional Expression, Rhythm, Abstract Thinking
Seminal work: Popularized in cognitive psychology and educational theory (split-brain research by Roger W. Sperry)
Publishing year: 2025 (BDQ-20) Version 2.1
Reference: Sperry, R. W. (1968). Hemisphere deconnection and unity in conscious awareness. American Psychologist, 23(10), 723–733.
Gazzaniga, M. S. (2000). Cerebral specialization and interhemispheric communication: Does the corpus callosum enable the human condition? Brain, 123(7), 1293–1326.
Instructions:

The Left Brain vs Right Brain Test (Brain Dominance Questionnaire – BDQ-20) is a self-report questionnaire designed to highlight whether an individual’s thinking style is more left-brained (logical, analytical, structured) or right-brained (creative, intuitive, imaginative). It contains 20 statements, and you need to choose the option that best describes your typical approach or preference. The results provide insight into your cognitive style by comparing left vs right brain dimensions.

Disclaimer: This self-assessment is inspired by research on split-brain theory and hemispheric specialization (e.g., Sperry, 1968; Gazzaniga, 2000). While based on these findings, the test is intended for educational and self-reflection purposes only.

1. When solving a puzzle, do you:

2. When you read a story, do you:

3. If you hear a song, do you:

4. When planning a trip, do you:

5. In a math problem, do you:

6. When remembering directions, do you:

7. When writing, do you:

8. When organizing your day, do you:

9. When learning new things, do you:

10. When watching a movie, do you:

11. When faced with a decision, do you:

12. When describing a place, do you:

13. When cooking, do you:

14. When playing a game, do you:

15. When remembering something, do you:

16. When solving a problem, do you:

17. When listening to someone, do you:

18. When imagining the future, do you:

19. When meeting new people, do you:

20. When solving conflicts, do you:

Educational

About Left-Brain / Right-Brain

The popular idea of left brain and right brain grew by early research in psychology and neurosciences. Roger W. Sperry and Michael S. Gazzaniga studied “split brain.” Their work showed two halves of the brain have different strengths. Left side of the brain is more focused on reasoning and logic, and right brain is involved in emotions and creativity.

Modern psychology rejects the idea of left brain and right brain and suggests no one is truly “just left-brained” or “just right-brained.” Instead, people may have different thinking and preferences. Some people may be comfortable with structured and logical tasks, while others may like creative and imaginative activities.

The self-assessment is NOT associated with the scientific work, but it helps explore your cognitive preferences or which side of thinking feels stronger or more natural to you.

Left Brain vs Right Brain Dimensions

Left Brain Dimensions
LogicFocuses on reasoning, facts, and rules.
AnalysisBreaks problems into smaller parts.
SequencingThinks in steps and organized order.
Detail OrientationPays attention to specifics and accuracy.
LanguageStrong in words, reading, and grammar.
Numerical ProcessingHandles numbers, math, and calculations.
PlanningOrganizes tasks with control and foresight.
Literal ThinkingTakes things at face value, concrete thinking.
Right Brain Dimensions
CreativityGenerates new ideas and original solutions.
IntuitionUnderstands things instinctively without step-by-step reasoning.
Holistic ThinkingSees the bigger picture and overall patterns.
ImaginationVisualizes possibilities and dreams beyond facts.
Pattern RecognitionIdentifies shapes, connections, and rhythms.
Emotional ExpressionExpresses and interprets feelings.
RhythmRelates to music, timing, and flow.
Abstract ThinkingExplores concepts, metaphors, and ideas.

According to brain dominance research, the brain is divided into two halves: the right one is responsible for creativity and emotions, and the left one is responsible for logical and analytical work, but they function together as a whole. In the 1960s and 1970s, neuropsychologists such as Roger W. Sperry and Michael S. Gazzaniga studied “split-brain” patients. They discovered that the left hemisphere is generally more involved in language, logic, and sequential processing, while the right hemisphere is more involved in spatial awareness, nonverbal cues, music, and holistic processing. For this work, Sperry was awarded the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Modern research shows that while the brain is divided into two halves and has specialized functions, both hemispheres work together, and people do not have a “left-brain personality” or “right-brain personality.” Instead, brain dominance may reflect cognitive preferences rather than fixed traits.

🧠 Scoring & Interpretation

Dimension Items Score Range Interpretation
Left Brain Dimensions
Logic 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger reasoning & rule-based thinking
Analysis 4 0–20 Higher scores = better step-by-step breakdown skills
Sequencing 4 0–20 Higher scores = structured, order-based processing
Detail Orientation 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger focus on specifics & accuracy
Language 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger word, grammar, & verbal ability
Numerical Processing 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger math & quantitative reasoning
Planning 4 0–20 Higher scores = better organization & foresight
Literal Thinking 4 0–20 Higher scores = preference for concrete, direct meaning
Right Brain Dimensions
Creativity 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger imaginative & original thinking
Holistic Thinking 4 0–20 Higher scores = ability to see big picture connections
Emotional Expression 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger awareness & expression of feelings
Visual-Spatial 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger spatial & visual memory
Imagination 4 0–20 Higher scores = preference for abstract & fantasy thinking
Intuition 4 0–20 Higher scores = reliance on “gut feelings” over logic
Rhythm & Music 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger sensitivity to music & patterns
Emotional Sensitivity 4 0–20 Higher scores = stronger empathy & social awareness