The vector is known to have direction and magnitude, and the scalar only comes with magnitude. This is something that you should look for so that you will know what you are dealing with. This is one way by which you can tell if you are dealing with vector quantity or not.
If you can tell that there is direction available, then you know that you are looking at vector quantity. If there is no direction, then you are looking at scalar quantity. These two concepts are normally used in physics. Vector is used for displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Speed is considered to be scalar along with time, and mass.