Dark Dozen Questionnaire (DTDD) Test

See how strongly dark-triad traits show up in you in 3 minutes. Just 12 items deliver clear scores fast for screening, research, or clinical use.

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Questions: 123 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,406 views

2,882 completions

2,419 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

11/20

Machiavellianism (M)

Measures a pragmatic, manipulative interpersonal style marked by cynicism about morality and a focus on self-interest.

Low

Moderate

High

4 – 6.8: Low | 6.8 – 14.4: Moderate | 14.4 – 20: High

A score of 11 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting occasional strategic or self-interested behavior without a consistently manipulative style.

example score

12/20

Psychopathy (P)

Measures the degree of impulsivity, callousness, and low empathy linked to a tendency to disregard social norms.

Low

Moderate

High

4 – 5: Low | 6 – 11: Moderate | 12 – 20: High

A score of 12 falls in the High range, suggesting relatively pronounced callousness and impulsivity compared with lower scores on this scale.

example score

10/20

Narcissism (N)

This scale measures the tendency toward grandiosity, need for admiration, and lower empathy in self-focused behavior.

Low

Moderate

High

4 – 9: Low | 10 – 16: Moderate | 17 – 20: High

A score of 10 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not pronounced tendency toward attention-seeking and self-importance.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People analyzing relationships

41%OF USERS

They want to understand whether manipulation, coldness, or attention-seeking patterns are showing up in themselves or partners, friends, or coworkers.

HR and talent assessors

33%OF USERS

They use a quick screen to estimate darker personality tendencies that can affect teamwork, leadership style, and workplace risk.

Psychology students and researchers

26%OF USERS

They take it for coursework or studies to measure Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy fast and compare scores across groups.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

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AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Machiavellianism (M)

Average

9.7

Normal range

7.5 — 12

min.

max.

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.

Psychopathy (P)

Average

10.7

Normal range

8.5 — 12.9

min.

max.

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.

Narcissism (N)

Average

15.1

Normal range

13 — 17.3

min.

max.

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 provides brief scores for three Dark Triad traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. The focus is on non-clinical tendencies rather than diagnosis.

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

Completion typically takes about 3 minutes. The questionnaire includes 12 items.

How should items be answered?

Rate each statement based on how well it describes typical attitudes or behavior. Respond to all items and avoid overthinking individual answers.

How are results reported and interpreted?

Results are reported as separate numerical scores for each trait. Higher scores indicate a stronger presence of the corresponding tendency within a non-clinical range.

What are appropriate uses and key limits of this measure?

It is suitable for research, rapid screening, and supporting a broader psychological assessment. It does not establish clinical diagnoses or predict specific behavior in a single person.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Dark Dozen Questionnaire (DTDD) Test - Symptoms and Signs

machiavellianism narcissism psychopathy dark triad

In clinical and research settings, brief tools are sometimes used to screen for socially aversive personality tendencies. The Dark Dozen Questionnaire (DTDD) is a short self-report measure designed to assess traits commonly described as the Dark Triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.

The instrument consists of 12 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete. Respondents rate the extent to which each statement reflects their typical attitudes or behaviors, yielding separate scores for each trait domain that can support rapid descriptive profiling.

The Dark Dozen Questionnaire (DTDD) was developed by Kevin M. Williams and is generally used for screening and research purposes rather than for diagnosis. Results should be interpreted in context and alongside other clinical information, particularly when used in applied decision-making.

Author: delroy-l-paulhus, Kevin M. Williams

Literature: Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality. 2002.; Jonason, P. K., & Webster, G. D. The dirty dozen: A concise measure of the dark triad. Psychological Assessment. 2010.

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