Your preferred support
See which kind of help you welcome most often.
Make the help you want easier to understand
Preferred Support Test
A busy day, a small disappointment or an unfamiliar task comes up. What would you most welcome from someone: listening, help to think it through or a useful action?
12questions
4minutes
3support preferences
free
✓ No sign-up required · instant result
01
Explore the support you would welcome
People can listen, think alongside you or help with an action. Notice what you prefer and explain the request without expecting someone to guess.
A clearer request
Make listening, discussion or action explicit.
A realistic agreement
Check what the other person can actually offer.
02
Three ways someone can support you
The forms can be combined and your preference can change. The test focuses on the help you would welcome, not how much you depend on other people.
Being heard
Have someone listen with attention without immediately solving the issue.
Thinking together
Explore a question, alternative or next step with someone.
Practical help
Receive a specific useful action that helps with the situation.
How your support profile is calculated
Each of 12 choices adds two points to one form of support. Percentages summarise what you selected in these situations.
- 1We count your choices for each of the three approaches.
- 2The highest total selects your main profile; another positive score can provide a secondary approach.
- 3Tied scores stay tied in the bars. A fixed order selects the heading when needed.
Think of ordinary, manageable challenges
- Think of everyday tasks and disappointments rather than an emergency.
- Choose what you would welcome, not what you think you ought to need.
- Imagine the support is offered respectfully and you keep your own choices.
FAQ
Questions about asking for support
This original BrainApps questionnaire compares three forms of support you might welcome in everyday situations. Use the profile to make a specific request while leaving the other person room to say what they can offer.
Can I prefer different support on different days?+
Yes. The result summarises these choices. You can ask for a different kind of help when the situation changes.
How do I ask someone to listen without giving advice?+
Say what you would welcome: for example, a few minutes to explain, with no solutions yet. Check whether they have time.
Does practical help mean someone takes over?+
Not here. Agree on one useful action and what you will still do yourself. Help can be small and clearly bounded.
What if the person cannot offer the help I want?+
Ask what they can offer and decide whether it is useful. You can adapt the request, look for another available person or take a manageable step yourself.
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12 questions
What could you ask for more clearly?
Answer 12 situations and choose one specific request for everyday support.