QUIZ: How Strong/Weak Are Your Navigation Skills?

The average adult is mostly reluctant about admitting that he or she is directionally challenged. That means that I am not the average adult.

I will be the first to point out that I do not naturally know my left from my right; and even though I'm very good at identifying north, south, east and west - on paper, I can't even identify where the sun rose, and where it's going to set, unless I observe it for a protracted period of time. IF I can by observing the sun, identify east and west, I might be able to point out north and south, BUT, if you factor in the point that the sun does not rise exactly in the east, and set exactly in the west - there's a northeast and southeast thing as well as a northwest and southwest thing happening at various points in the year, depending on which hemisphere you're in - I may consequently think I'm heading due north, when I'm actually going either northeast or northwest. And, of course, if it's night, all of that thinking is superfluous. I'm just lost!

What about you? Do you experience any difficulty navigating from one point to another, and if you do, are you ashamed of this fact? Do you have to invent elaborate explanations as to why it takes you so long to complete a short journey? If you do, know this: It really is not your fault. There ought to be no shame in the fact that proper navigation, for you, seems to be an impossible task.

As someone who has studied this phenomenon in myself and in others, let me reassure you that you're not alone, and certainly, you're not stupid. In my book. Center Brained: Why you can't tell left from right, east from west or north from south, I delve into very plausible reasons for our condition, and I also suggest several authentic solutions to our dilemma. The catch is, I am a lone voice in the wilderness. I need, first of all, others who feel geographically challenged, from a few times, to all the time, to voluntarily self-identify. I do know that already, there are several support groups for the directionally challenged. But once we're all identified, the directionally savvy need to know what we experience on a day to day basis. So there will be the need for us to educate them. I really long for the day when people who have regarded the directionally challenged as either stupid, or forgetful, or inattentive, or just plain weird, to finally say, "Oh, we get it!"

Then, it is my sincere hope that at that juncture, we can all begin to brainstorm about how to improve the life experience of someone who is directionally challenged.

As regards self-identification, here's a first step.

The following is a self-assessment and learning tool for directionally challenged adults.

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. This will give you some idea of how directionally challenged you are. After the quiz, you’ll find a Scoring Guide + Improvement Tips.

1. When you leave a building, what’s the first thing you usually notice?

A. The direction of the sun or shadows

B. What the building looks like behind you

C. Nothing in particular — I just start walking

D. The nearest parking lot or exit sign

2. If someone tells you, “Go north for two blocks,” how do you feel?

A. Confident — I know where north is

B. I can figure it out after thinking for a moment

C. I get nervous — I prefer left/right directions

D. Immediate panic — I will 100% go the wrong way

3. When you enter a shopping mall, what helps you find your way back out?

A. I memorize landmarks and signs as I go

B. I take a picture of the entrance or a marker

C. I rely entirely on the map or asking people

D. I usually exit at a completely different point

4. When you park your car in a large lot, you usually…

A. Note nearby poles, numbers, or color zones

B. Use your phone to take a photograph of the area

C. Hope you remember, but often forget

D. Walk around clicking the key fob to find it

5. Which description fits you best?

A. I visualize maps easily

B. I understand maps with a little effort

C. Maps confuse me unless someone explains them

D. Maps? No, absolutely not!

6. When navigating with GPS, you prefer…

A. The map view — I like to see the route

B. Turn-by-turn audio instructions

C. Both, especially for reassurance

D. A friend in the passenger seat telling me what to do

7. If you take a walk in a new neighborhood, how likely are you to return by the same route?

A. Very likely — I’m good at keeping track

B. I might need one or two corrections

C. I usually get confused halfway

D. I get lost almost every single time

8. When you enter a hotel or office building with many hallways, what helps you remember your way back?

A. I notice patterns — colors, objects, shapes

B. I count turns or steps

C. I rely on signs

D. Pure intuition (which often fails)

9. You’re walking with a friend who suddenly says, “We came from that direction.” How do you respond?

A. “Yes, I noticed that landmark too.”

B. “Oh! I didn’t notice, but I can see it now.”

C. “Really? I thought we came from the other way.”

D. “I had no idea. Please lead me.”

10. When you travel to a new city, what is your biggest challenge?

A. Understanding the overall layout

B. Remembering what street connects to what

C. Keeping track of which way I’m facing

D. Everything. Literally everything.

SCORING GUIDE

Give yourself:

• A = 4 points

• B = 3 points

• C = 2 points

• D = 1 point

Add up your total score.

RESULTS

36–40 points — Natural Navigator

You have a strong sense of direction and good spatial awareness. You use multiple cues and adjust quickly. Keep sharpening those skills. Maybe you can look out for others who appear lost and lend then a hand!

28–35 points — Improving Navigator

You have decent instincts and can navigate well with a few tools. You benefit from visual cues, brief planning, and consistent check-ins. With a little practice, you could become excellent. Keep on practicing!

20–27 points — Uncertain Pathfinder

You struggle in new places but succeed with support tools like GPS, landmarks, and checklists. With structured techniques, your confidence and navigation accuracy can greatly improve. Remember, it’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. You're almost there!

10–19 points — Joyfully Directionally Challenged

You’re not alone — many people score in this range! Navigation may feel overwhelming, but you can improve significantly by learning a few simple skills and forming small habits. Start slowly, by navigating to places in your town or in the part of your city with which you’re most familiar. As you become better at navigating to those places, gradually widen the destination points. Once you’ve conquered navigation in your comfort zone, try the town or the area that is closest to yours and start all over. Do not give up!