This motivation assessment survey helps counselors and teachers identify what motivates each student before building a behavior plan or reward system. Students choose between pairs of rewards, and their answers point to one of four motivation categories: attention, leadership, physical reward or creative outlet.

This student motivation assessment tool is included as a printable PDF and an editable Google Form, and it is designed for students in grades 2-5.

This resource will help you:

⭐ Determine whether a student responds best to attention, leadership, tangible rewards or creative time

⭐ Select behavior plan incentives that fit each student

⭐ Learn each student's favorite things so rewards feel personal

This resource includes:

✔ Which Would You Rather Have as a Reward? survey with 6 either-or questions

✔ Scoring key that sorts all 12 reward choices into four motivation categories

✔ These Are Some of My Favorite Things page with 11 fill-in prompts

✔ Editable Google Form version, copied from a link

✔ YouTube video showing how to track results from the digital survey

✔ Teacher/counselor instructions

How it works:

Which Would You Rather Have as a Reward?
Students select one option in each of six pairs, such as eating lunch with the counselor or principal versus choosing the music played during class. The scoring key shows which category most of their choices fall into.

These Are Some of My Favorite Things
Students list favorites such as a color, scent, animal, game, book, song, food and drink, plus one additional favorite of their choice.

Digital Google Form
The form can be copied, edited and shared with students. The included video explains how to track their responses.

Why you'll love this tool:

⭐ No prep: print the pages or share the form

⭐ Can be used as a short motivation assessment questionnaire with a class, a small group or an individual student

⭐ Provides concrete information for teacher consultations and behavior plan meetings

⭐ Helps students reflect on what motivates them

Rewards that match a student's interests are more likely to support lasting behavior change. This motivation assessment provides that information at the start, so each behavior plan reflects what the student values.

Pairs well with:

Goal setting and motivation small group

Determination guidance lesson and video

Digital resource bundle for school counselors

Download the free counseling log data tool to track student data.