32 Examples of Academic Weaknesses

John Spacey, May 03, 2020

Academic weaknesses are disadvantages an individual faces in a learning environment. These can relate to skills, abilities, experience, knowledge and character traits. Academic weaknesses may be identified as part of an admissions process or analysis of a student's learning goals and progress. The following are common academic weaknesses.

Athletic Ability	Coding
Collaboration	Consensus Building
Creative Writing	Cross-Cultural Communication
Dealing with Criticism	Digital Literacy
Essays	IT Skills
Independent Study	Language
Leadership	Listening
Nonverbal Communication	Note-Taking
Numeracy	Organization
Prioritization	Public Speaking
Reading Comprehension	Research
STEM	Self-Discipline
Socializing	Study Skills
Subject Weakness e.g. Math	Test Taking
Time Management	Verbal Communication
Visual Communication	Writing

Notes

In the context of an admissions interview, it is common to state a weakness and then explain how you have been working hard to self-improve and overcome the weakness. It is also common to pick a weakness that is minor or that signals a strength. For example, a weakness with test taking suggests that you understand subjects better than your grades indicate.

Another strategy for admissions is to pick a weakness that many students struggle with and explain that you are working on it. This sounds more authentic than a weakness that indicates a strength such as "studying too hard." For example, many students have difficulty with public speaking and time management such that this type of answer is believable but relatively unconcerning.

32 Examples of Academic Weaknesses

Notes

Academic Weaknesses

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