About the darkquiz test

darkquiz is a free online test that places you on the three Dark Triad traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Instead of dry questionnaire items, it uses short everyday scenarios with answer options that load differently on each trait.

The goal is an entertaining but honest look at your own personality — no sign-in required, in a few minutes.

The test is inspired by Dark Triad research, in particular established short scales such as the Short Dark Triad (SD3; Jones & Paulhus, 2014) and the Dirty Dozen (Jonason & Webster, 2010), as well as the original work by Paulhus & Williams (2002).

We do not reproduce these scales one-to-one and use no copyrighted test items. Instead, we wrote our own everyday scenarios that address the same facets (e.g. grandiosity, strategic manipulation, impulsivity, low empathy).

Each answer loads on one of the three traits. At the end you get a 0–100 score per trait plus an overall index. The pattern yields your Dark Triad type (e.g. The Strategist or The Balanced).

The percentages (such as darker than X%) are readability-oriented placements based on published distributions — not clinical norm values.

darkquiz is not a diagnostic instrument. It measures everyday, subclinical personality traits in the general population — not mental disorders. A high score is not a verdict or a diagnosis. Clinical questions belong solely to a qualified professional.

You can take the test without an account. Results are private by default and are only published if you actively choose to. Analytics cookies are set only with your consent.