Dark triad test: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy
Twelve short statements, four for each of the three traits psychologists call the dark triad. Rate how well each one describes you and see your low, middle or high spot on each, with an honest, plain explanation.
honest answers, nobody is watching
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Note. For entertainment and self-reflection only. This is not a clinical, diagnostic or hiring tool and is not medical or mental-health advice. The dark triad concept is from Paulhus & Williams (2002); the statements here are our own.
How it works
Three steps, 3 minutes.
- 1
Rate twelve statements
Each one describes a way people think or act. Say how well it describes you most of the time, not on your best or worst day.
- 2
We average each trait
Four statements belong to each of the three traits, one worded the opposite way. Each trait gets a score from 1 to 5, shown as low, middle or high.
- 3
See all three
Your result page opens on your strongest trait and shows where you sit on all three, with what low and high usually look like.
All 3 results
The dark triad traits
Read any of them now, or take the test first and see which one is yours.
FAQ
Questions people ask
- What is the dark triad?
- The dark triad is a name psychologists use for three related personality traits: Machiavellianism (strategic, guarded), narcissism (self-importance and a wish for admiration) and psychopathy (impulsive, low in empathy). The idea was introduced by Paulhus and Williams in 2002. Everyone has some of each, and “dark” describes the traits, not you as a person.
- How do I read a low, middle or high score?
- Low means the trait shows up rarely, middle means it shows up in some situations and not others, and high means it is a regular part of how you deal with people. Most people land in the middle on at least one trait. A high score is not a verdict; it is a pattern worth noticing.
- Does a high score mean I am a bad person?
- No. These traits sit on a scale and can have useful sides, such as strategy, confidence and calm under pressure. What matters is how you treat people. If a result surprises you, treat it as something to think about, not a label.
- How is the dark triad different from the Big Five?
- The Big Five describes personality in five broad traits. Research often finds that dark triad traits relate to low agreeableness (being less warm and trusting), and some also to higher extraversion or lower conscientiousness. They are different tools, so taking both can give you a fuller picture.
- Can this test diagnose a personality disorder?
- No. This is a short quiz for entertainment and self-understanding, not a clinical or diagnostic test, and it cannot tell you anything about a medical or mental health condition. If you are worried about your behaviour, your relationships or how you feel, talk to a qualified professional.
- Where do the questions come from?
- We wrote them ourselves for this site, so they are not copied from any published questionnaire. Research scales have been checked by psychologists on large samples; this twelve-question quiz has not, which is why it is best for curiosity rather than for decisions.
- Is it free, and do you keep my answers?
- Yes, it is free, with no email, no account and no paywall. Your answers are scored in your browser and never sent to us.
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