Take a moment, and reflect on how you've progressed and grown throughout your life. Think about how you learned to ride a bike. Did the person teaching you expect you to ride off on your own after the first try or did you practice until you were confident enough to take off the training wheels? Did you learn how to cook by following a recipe exactly and waiting until it was finished before tasting it or by tweaking the seasonings until the flavor was just right?

Our quiz invites you to consider how your authentic learning experiences mirror the key principles of competency-based education: mastery of specific skills, personalized paths, and equitable experiences for all students. To create impactful environments in education, we must address the disconnect between how we know people naturally learn and how our education systems are designed. As you progress through the quiz, ask yourself: are we giving our students the same opportunities for mastery, personalized pacing, and meaningful feedback that we value in our own learning journeys?

Ready to get started? Select the answer that best represents your experience as a learner. Grab a pen and track your answers!

Personal Learning Reflection Quiz

1. Go back to when you were first learning to drive. Which approach was most effective for you?

a) Taking the test, either passing or failing, and moving forward accordingly based on my results

b) Practicing specific skills such as parking and lane changes until I mastered each one

c) Following the minimum required timeline and taking the test as soon as I was eligible, even if I didn’t feel fully ready

2. Pick the skill you are most proud of mastering. What contributed most to your improvement?

a) Receiving grades or scores on my performance

b) Getting timely and thoughtful feedback about what I did well and what needed improvement

c) Adhering to a standardized learning path that was the same for everyone

3. Think back to learning a new language. What really made it click for you?

a) Memorizing lists of words and grammar rules by heart

b) Practicing speaking the language with other people while receiving ongoing feedback

c) Working through a workbook according to a set schedule

4. When picking up a work-related skill, what approach works best for you?

a) Taking a PD course with a set start and end date, after which I’m expected to have the knowledge and skills required

b) Being able to practice at my own pace until I demonstrate confidence and competence

c) A structured deadline with time to practice independently using the same resources as others

5. When working on a home project — like painting a room — which approach do you value most?

a) Following instructions exactly without deviating

b) The opportunity to make the project my own, learn as I go, and create something that fits my needs

c) Completing the project within my timeframe, regardless of the method or quality of the output

6. Look back on your career, what has motivated you the most to develop new skills?

a) External rewards and recognition

b) The satisfaction of mastering challenging skills and seeing my growth

c) Meeting the minimum requirements to maintain my position

7. When faced with a challenge or mistake during the learning process, how do you typically respond?

a) Worry about how it will impact my final result or output

b) Reflect on what went wrong and use it to improve my approach

c) Pretend it didn’t happen and move on quickly to keep up with the schedule or plan

8. When you’ve worked on a group project, what helped you learn and contribute most effectively?

a) Clear expectations and a final grade based on my part

b) Collaborating with others, receiving feedback, and adjusting my approach as needed

c) Everyone doing the same task to ensure consistency across the group

9. Think about a time you had to relearn or revisit a skill you once knew — like using Excel. What approach worked best for you?

a) Reviewing old materials and testing myself to see what I still remember

b) Applying the skill in a real-world context and identifying what needed refreshing

c) Going through the full course or original instruction again even if I remembered some parts

Answer Key

• Mostly As: Your personal learning experiences align with traditional education approaches that emphasize test results and completing requirements. Explore how shifting from time-based progression to mastery-based learning can transform student engagement. Start by learning the basics of CBE and why it matters in today’s classrooms.
• Mostly Bs: You naturally value many CBE principles in your own learning! Your learning preferences align with mastery-based approaches, personalized pacing, and meaningful feedback. You're ready to go deeper. Take the next step by exploring what to look for in a CBE platform and how to support successful implementation in your district.
• Mostly Cs: Your personal learning experiences have mainly followed conventional education systems that prioritize following standard procedures and timelines. You're accustomed to progressing through the material at a predetermined pace rather than mastery-based advancement. Learn how competency-based education can offer a more flexible, personalized approach.

You’ve just explored your own learning and how it may mirror the principles of competency-based education. These everyday experiences remind us that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all — and our education systems shouldn’t be either. When students are empowered to learn at their own pace, receive meaningful feedback, and demonstrate mastery in ways that work for them, they’re more likely to thrive in and beyond the classroom.

Want to take it a step further? Now that you’ve reflected on your own learning journey, uncover how your district’s current practices align with the core principles of CBE by taking our district assessment quiz. Use your insights alongside district-level reflections to guide conversations, spark change, and move toward a more student-centered approach to teaching and learning.