Children's Mach Scale Test

In about 4 minutes, it helps you gauge a child’s tendency to manipulate and how much they trust others. Fast 20-item results are clear and easy to apply in school, clinical, or research settings.

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Questions: 204 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

28,499 views

3,563 completions

2,964 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

57/160

Children's Mach Scale (CMS)

Measures a child’s tendency toward Machiavellianism, including manipulative attitudes, cynicism, and emotional detachment in relationships.

Low

High

40 – 100: Low | 101 – 160: High

A score of 57 falls in the Low range, suggesting a generally more cooperative and empathetic interpersonal style with less tendency toward manipulation or cynicism.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

School Psychology Staff

41%OF USERS

School psychologists and counselors use it to screen trust, manipulation tendencies, and peer-relations risk in students to guide support plans.

Clinicians in Child Care

34%OF USERS

Child therapists and clinical psychologists include it in assessments when conflict, aggression, or relationship problems may involve controlling attitudes.

Developmental Researchers

25%OF USERS

Researchers and graduate students use it to study how social attitudes like distrust and influence-seeking change across childhood and adolescence.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Children's MAC Scale (CMS)

Average

108

Normal range

90.8 — 125.2

min.

max.

160

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens attitudes related to distrust, sincerity, and attempts to influence or control others. Results indicate the degree to which manipulative beliefs and low interpersonal trust are endorsed.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is designed for children and adolescents who can read and understand brief statements. It is commonly used in school, clinical, and research settings.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

Completion time is about 4 minutes. It includes 20 items.

How should responses be completed?

Select the response that best matches typical thoughts or behavior, not what seems socially desirable. Items should be answered without extended discussion or coaching.

How should results be interpreted and used?

Scores reflect relative levels of distrust and endorsement of manipulative strategies, not a clinical diagnosis. Interpretation should consider age, context, and other assessment data.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Children's Mach Scale Test - Symptoms and Signs

machiavellianism manipulations dark triad

This brief self-report measure is designed to help clinicians and school-based practitioners screen interpersonal attitudes related to mistrust and manipulative tendencies in children and adolescents. The Children's Mach Scale consists of 20 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete.

Items are phrased to be developmentally appropriate, supporting interpretation of response patterns reflecting skepticism about others’ intentions and a preference for controlling social situations. The Children's Mach Scale is intended for use as part of a broader, multi-method assessment and should be interpreted in light of age, context, and collateral information.

Author: john-c-flavell

Literature: Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality. 2002.; Furnham, A., Richards, S. C., & Paulhus, D. L. The dark triad of personality: A 10 year review. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 2013.; Hinde, R. A. Relationships: A dialectical perspective. Psychology Press. 1997.; Christie, R., & Geis, F. Studies in Machiavellianism. Academic Press. 1970.

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