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Dark Triad Test

Classic SD3 scale: 27 questions measuring Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy, with your dark spectrum and type reading. Free, no sign-up.

27 questions About 3–5 minutesTested 46 times

About This Test

The Dark Triad is a famous trio in personality psychology: Machiavellianism (strategy and manipulation), Narcissism (superiority and attention-seeking) and Psychopathy (coldness and impulsivity). They are independent yet often elevated together, describing the self-serving side of personality.

This test uses the classic Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale — 27 items across the three dimensions, some reverse-scored to reduce response bias. You will get a percentage spectrum per dimension plus a dominant-type reading.

All answers are processed locally in your browser; only anonymous start/finish counts are reported. Your individual answers are never stored or analyzed.

How It Works

  1. 127 five-point scale items: choose from Strongly disagree to Strongly agree
  2. 2Answer with your first intuition — about 3–5 minutes
  3. 3Some items are reverse-scored (standard psychometric design); just answer honestly
  4. 4Your result is a three-dimension percentage spectrum: Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy
  5. 5Outcomes include a dominant type plus two special types (High Dark / Balanced), 5 in total

Why Take It

Self-discovery

Understand your natural leans in strategy, narcissism and cold impulsivity

Workplace

See your default playbook when facing interests, power and competition

Relationships

Compare spectra with a partner or friends and talk about the differences

Just for fun

Results in five minutes, with memorable type names made for sharing

Results Preview

See Your Dark Personality Spectrum

Master Strategist
Calculation is your second nature
Shining Star
You were born believing you are the lead
Cold Executor
The calmest one in the storm
Abyss Walker
The rare all-high profile
Balanced Guardian
Bright and shadow in balance
3 Glossary
Machiavellianism — Strategy-oriented: pragmatic, goal-driven, comfortable hiding intentions when needed
Narcissism — Superiority-oriented: confident, craves recognition, enjoys the spotlight
Psychopathy — Coldness-oriented: emotionally flat, risk-tolerant, low empathy, thrill-seeking

FAQ

Is this a bad-person test?

No. Dark is just a naming tradition in personality psychology — it describes the strength of self-serving tendencies, not morality.

What is the SD3?

The Short Dark Triad (SD3), by Jones & Paulhus, is the most widely used short scale for the Dark Triad — 27 items covering all three dimensions.

What do the three dimensions mean?

Machiavellianism = strategy and manipulation; Narcissism = superiority and attention-seeking; Psychopathy = coldness, low empathy and impulsivity.

Are my answers stored?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser; individual answers are never uploaded or analyzed.

How should I read my result?

Each dimension is a 0–100 relative value. Focus on the relative heights and your dominant type. All-high yields the High Dark type; all-low yields Balanced.