Dark Triad Test (SD3)
Machiavellianism, Narcissism & Psychopathy
SD3 measure three dark personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. 27 self-report items assess where you land on each dimension. Takes about 5 minutes.
What makes some people manipulative, self-centered, and cold? The Short Dark Triad (SD3) measures three socially aversive personality traits in 27 items.
It covers Machiavellianism (strategic manipulation and cynical worldview), Narcissism (grandiose sense of self-importance and need for admiration), and Psychopathy (impulsivity, callousness, and lack of empathy).
The SD3 was designed as a brief but reliable proxy for the standard longer measures, balancing brevity with adequate construct coverage.
The SD3 is validated for subclinical populations and should not be used as a clinical diagnostic instrument.
Subscale Descriptions
Machiavellianism Tendency toward interpersonal manipulation, strategic thinking, and a cynical view of human nature. High scorers are pragmatic, calculating, and willing to exploit others — but they maintain their reputation.
Narcissism Exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and entitlement. High scorers expect special treatment and believe they are unique or exceptional.
Psychopathy Impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and callous affect. High scorers disregard rules and others' well-being, act without planning, and show little remorse.
Psychometrics
Internal consistency: α = .71–.78 across subscales. Three-factor structure confirmed (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.05). Convergent validity with gold standard measures: r = .52–.78 (Mach-IV, SRP-III, NPI).
> This test uses the published SD3 scale, which is freely available for academic and non-commercial use. Please cite Jones & Paulhus (2014). *Assessment*, 21(1), 28–41.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 27 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.