63 questions·10 min·4 dimensions and a separate readiness-to-change module·up to 17 clinical frameworks·6 report sections
Reviewed by Gildas Garrec, CBT practitioner
Good morning,
This questionnaire explores three traits in the Dark Triad model: narcissism, Machiavellianism and subclinical psychopathy. It uses your own answers; it cannot diagnose a disorder or determine another person’s intentions.
Readiness to change is explored separately, not as a fourth Dark Triad trait. A score does not sum up your personality or establish that someone is dangerous.
What you receive — a report written from your answers: what stands out, what sustains it, and where to start. This week, this month, later on.
How it is built — each axis is analyzed on its own, then cross-read with the others, through clinical reading frameworks. Your detailed answers are attached as an appendix. See an example report
The test runs over 63 questions and takes about 10 min, for a price of $3.60. You can answer it for yourself, or about someone else. In the latter case, the answers reflect your perception: they cannot establish that person’s intentions or provide a diagnosis.
We'd also suggest reading the book Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships, to take this reflection further. It's included in the price and downloadable.
If you have a question about your report, write to us at contact@psychologieetserenite.com: a psychotherapist will reply within 48 hours.
I'd also suggest analysing your conversation with ScanMyLove; it's a complementary tool that, from your exchanges as partners, sheds light on your relationship dynamics.
Dark Triad Test: Explore Three Personality Traits — a 63-question self-assessment, about 10 min. Dark Triad test: reflect on three personality traits through your own answers. A self-reflection tool, not a diagnosis or a label for someone else. Once finished, you receive a detailed PDF report ($3.60): an interpretation of its 4 dimensions, a radar chart, up to 17 clinical reading frameworks and a personalized action plan. It is designed to help you know yourself better.
This interactive test covers recognition, comparison, rules, lying, secrecy, leverage, responsibility, empathy, remorse, impulses, pleasure, work, trust, and readiness to change.
What the test asks, for example
Recognition
If what you're worth should be recognized far more than it is today.
If, when a team project succeeds, you credit others before mentioning your own part.
Comparison
If, in a group that hesitates, it's up to you to lead and to the others to follow.
If you place yourself on equal footing with the people around you, neither above nor below.
Rules
If a queue or a deadline shouldn't always apply to you.
If, at the checkout, you wait your turn like everyone else, without thinking you deserve to go first.
Lying
If you can lie convincingly when the situation calls for it.
If you describe your results as they are, without inflating them, even when it would work in your favor.
Secrecy
If you keep a useful piece of information aside, to use it later.
If, in a discussion, you put your cards on the table from the start.
Leverage
If knowing what makes someone give in helps you, in your view, to convince them.
If you refuse to play on someone's weaknesses, even when it would work.
Responsibility
If, to get a result that matters, the means used hardly matter.
If you give up an advantage when it would cost someone else too much.
Empathy
If someone's distress in front of you leaves you fairly indifferent.
If, when someone close to you shares bad news, you feel what they're going through.
Remorse
If you can announce a harsh decision to someone, without feeling guilty afterward.
If, when one of your remarks has hurt someone, it weighs on you until you make amends.
Impulses
If you send a message on a whim, without thinking about what comes next.
If, before sending a cutting message, you weigh the consequences, even when the urge pushes you.
Pleasure
If you drive fast or dive off a board for the thrill it gives you.
If you set aside an immediate pleasure for a more distant gain.
Work
If, to land a position, you go through connections before the meeting.
If you speak your mind in a meeting, even when it risks costing you those connections.
Trust
If, behind someone very kind, you look for what they're really after.
If you take it for granted that people think for themselves and decide on their own.
Readiness to change
If what you have just described has a real impact on your life.
If you want to change the way you function.
About this test
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Dimensions assessed
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Your reading of these ways of functioning- How you explain to yourself these ways of dealing with other people, before the test tells you anything about it. This section measures no difficulty and produces no level: it gathers a starting reading, because the way forward differs depending on whether you see it as a lifelong temperament, something learned to get by, an effect of the environments you've moved through, or whether you simply don't know where it comes from.
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Narcissism- The first of the three axes: the place you feel you occupy and the recognition you expect for it. The report situates a relative position, never a personal worth.
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Machiavellianism- Your relationship to calculation in relationships: the place strategy and withheld information take in how you get what you're after. A style of influence, not a morality.
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Subclinical psychopathy- The third axis, taken here in its ordinary form: how much other people's distress resonates with you, and the pull of risk. The questionnaire covers temperament tendencies.
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Readiness to Change- This axis is read independently of the previous three: what you recognize about the topic, what you'd like, and what you feel capable of undertaking form three separate measures.
Reference frameworks and authors
DSM-5 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
ICD-11 — International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (World Health Organization, 2022)
Dark Triad (Paulhus & Williams, 2002)
Why take this test?
▼
This questionnaire explores three traits in the Dark Triad model: narcissism, Machiavellianism and subclinical psychopathy. It uses your own answers; it cannot diagnose a disorder or determine another person’s intentions.
Readiness to change is explored separately, not as a fourth Dark Triad trait. A score does not sum up your personality or establish that someone is dangerous.
The questionnaire explores 4 areas: Your reading of these ways of functioning, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Subclinical psychopathy. Your answers support reflection, not a diagnosis. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
Dimensions explored
These are the aspects explored by this questionnaire. Your answers help put them into perspective.
Your reading of these ways of functioning
How you explain to yourself these ways of dealing with other people, before the test tells you anything about it. This section measures no difficulty and produces no level: it gathers a starting reading, because the way forward differs depending on whether you see it as a lifelong temperament, something learned to get by, an effect of the environments you've moved through, or whether you simply don't know where it comes from.
Narcissism
The first of the three axes: the place you feel you occupy and the recognition you expect for it. The report situates a relative position, never a personal worth.
Machiavellianism
Your relationship to calculation in relationships: the place strategy and withheld information take in how you get what you're after. A style of influence, not a morality.
Subclinical psychopathy
The third axis, taken here in its ordinary form: how much other people's distress resonates with you, and the pull of risk. The questionnaire covers temperament tendencies.
Readiness to Change
This axis is read independently of the previous three: what you recognize about the topic, what you'd like, and what you feel capable of undertaking form three separate measures.
How does it work?
1
Take the test
Answer the 63 questions honestly. There are no right or wrong answers — just choose the option that best describes you. The test takes about 10 min.
2
Proceed to payment
Once you finish the test, pay $3.60 securely to unlock your full report. No registration required.
3
Download your detailed PDF report
For a comprehensive analysis, get your PDF report (4 dimensions analyzed, radar chart, personalized recommendations, action plan). Instant download after secure payment.
They took this test
★★★★★
“ The Dark Triad test is impressive. The radar chart in the report clearly shows the dominant traits. I finally understood why my relationships were always toxic. Thank you. ”
— Nadia, February 2026
★★★★★
“ The 15-page report is extremely thorough. The radar chart lays out the profile clearly. I finally have words for what I'd been sensing. ”
— Sylvie, November 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this test measure?
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This test evaluates 4 psychological dimensions: Your reading of these ways of functioning, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Subclinical psychopathy. The report distinguishes the areas explored and their limits of interpretation. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
How long does this test take?
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The test contains 63 questions and takes approximately 10 min to complete. You can answer at your own pace — your progress is automatically saved in your browser.
How does this test work?
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The test is anonymous and requires no registration. After completing it, you immediately see a preview of your results. The detailed PDF report, with in-depth analysis, charts and personalized recommendations, is available for $3.60.
Is this test scientifically validated?
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This questionnaire draws on 4 dimensions from recognized psychological frameworks (Your reading of these ways of functioning, Narcissism, Machiavellianism…). It's a self-assessment tool for reflection, not a clinical diagnostic instrument: it has not undergone formal psychometric validation (sample, reliability coefficient) and does not replace a professional assessment.
What does the PDF report contain?
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Your report includes an analysis by dimension, explanations and personalised points for reflection and a separate readiness-to-change module. Scores are interpreted according to the purpose and limitations of this questionnaire.
Is my data kept confidential?
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No account creation, no email required — no sign-up needed at all. Your answers are sent to our servers while you take the test. All data is automatically deleted after 30 days — see our Privacy page for full detail.
Who is this test for?
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Read this test’s introduction and dimensions to check whether they match your situation. Answer from the perspective specified in the instructions.
Can I retake the test later?
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Yes, you can retake this test as many times as you wish. Some people take it again after several months to observe how their profile evolves. Each new attempt generates its own report — previous answers are not reused.
What should I do with my results?
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The report organises your answers and offers points for reflection. You can discuss it with a professional; it does not replace their assessment or prescribe treatment.
Can people close to me also take it?
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Yes. Each person gets their own anonymous, unique report, based on THEIR answers. Comparing profiles within a family or couple can be useful — provided each person takes the test honestly and on their own, without influencing one another during the answers.
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