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Before you start

  • Rules and timing

    • 18 questions, about 4 min.
    • Answer truthfully — there are no right or wrong answers for screener items.
    • Work alone, in a quiet place. Don't consult others mid-test.

  • Disclaimer

    Taking our test should not be viewed as a comprehensive or precise evaluation of your abilities. Results are for informational and self-reflection purposes only.

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About this assessment
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Dark Triad Personality Test

Take the free Dark Triad personality test. 18 questions measuring Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy. Based on the SD3 scale. Instant detailed results.

18 questions4 minFree · Validated framework
Take the Dark Triad — FreeLearn more about this test
Free · Mapped to 2,536 careersInstant results · 4 min

What Is the Dark Triad?

The Dark Triad measures three socially aversive personality traits: Narcissism (grandiosity and need for admiration), Machiavellianism (strategic manipulation and cynicism), and Psychopathy (callousness and impulsivity). Formalized by Paulhus & Williams in 2002, it's one of the most researched personality frameworks in modern psychology.

This test uses 18 questions inspired by the Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale by Jones & Paulhus (2014). It doesn't diagnose disorders — it measures where you fall on the spectrum of each trait. Moderate dark triad scores are associated with leadership, confidence, and strategic thinking.

What You'll Discover

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Your score on all three dark traits — Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy

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Which dark trait is strongest in your personality

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How your dark side connects to your strengths

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A shareable Dark Triad profile card

What a Question Looks Like

Question 1 of 18

I tend to want others to admire me.

17 more after this · 4 min totalAnswer this one

How It Works

  1. 1

    Answer

    18 questions, 4 min. Auto-advance — no manual Next.

  2. 2

    See result

    Instant breakdown of your profile. Free, shareable, saved if you sign in.

  3. 3

    Go deeper

    Premium unlocks the full report — careers, strengths, growth paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a high score make me a bad person?

No. The Dark Triad measures tendencies on a spectrum, not disorders. Many successful CEOs, surgeons, and leaders score moderately high. Low empathy can mean better decision-making under pressure. High narcissism fuels confidence and ambition.

Is this the same as the IDRlabs Dark Triad test?

Similar concept, different implementation. Both measure the same three traits, but our version uses 18 questions optimized for quick completion with detailed results you can share.

What's the difference between Dark Triad and the Difficult Person Test?

The Difficult Person Test measures interpersonal difficulty (how hard you are to deal with). The Dark Triad specifically measures three sub-clinical personality dimensions — narcissism, manipulation, and callousness — which are more precisely defined.

Ready to start?

18 questions · 4 min · Result with matching careers from 2,536-profile database

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