Short Dark Triad (SD3) Test

Understand patterns tied to manipulation, ego-inflation, and callous impulsivity in about 5 minutes. A fast 27 item screen that clarifies interpersonal risk and supports targeted follow up.

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Questions: 275 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

11,890 views

1,202 completions

771 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

3/5

Psychopathy (P)

Measures tendencies toward impulsivity, callousness, selfishness, and antisocial or aggressive behavior in everyday settings.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 1.7: Low | 1.8 – 3: Moderate | 3.1 – 5: High

A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a situational tendency toward impulsive or emotionally detached behavior without it being strongly pronounced overall.

example score

3/5

Narcissism (N)

Measures the tendency toward grandiosity and a need for admiration, along with reduced consideration for others' feelings and needs.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 2.2: Low | 2.3 – 3.5: Moderate | 3.6 – 5: High

A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a balanced-to-notable desire for recognition and self-importance that may occasionally outweigh attention to others’ needs.

example score

3/5

Machiavellianism (M)

Measures the tendency to use strategic manipulation, cynicism about morality, and self-interested, calculating behavior in relationships.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 2.8: Low | 2.9 – 4.1: Moderate | 4.2 – 5: High

A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a situationally pragmatic and self-protective approach that may include occasional strategic influence rather than consistently manipulative behavior.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Self-insight seekers

41%OF USERS

People curious about their own darker traits take it to better understand how they come across and why they clash with others.

Psychology students and researchers

34%OF USERS

Students and researchers use it as a quick, standardized way to measure Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy in studies or coursework.

Relationship and workplace navigators

25%OF USERS

Those dealing with manipulative or self-centered behavior at work or in dating take it to spot patterns and set clearer boundaries.

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

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

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.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

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.

Psychopathy (P)

Average

3.2

Normal range

2.6 — 3.7

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

3.4

Normal range

2.8 — 4

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.

Machiavellianism (M)

Average

2.9

Normal range

2.2 — 3.6

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 screens three related traits: Machiavellianism, non-clinical narcissism, and non-clinical psychopathy. Results describe tendencies linked to manipulation, self-focus, and emotional coldness or impulsivity.

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

It contains 27 statements and usually takes about 5 minutes to complete. Completion time may vary slightly by reading speed.

How should the statements be answered?

Each statement should be rated based on typical behavior and attitudes, not a single recent event. Responses should reflect the first answer that seems accurate.

How are results interpreted?

Scores are reported separately for each of the three traits and compared using norms or reference ranges when available. Higher scores indicate stronger expression of that trait relative to the comparison group.

Is this a clinical diagnosis or a risk assessment?

It is a brief screening tool and does not provide a clinical diagnosis. Results should be interpreted with other information when used in counseling, selection, or research.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Short Dark Triad Questionnaire, SD3 Test

Short Dark Triad (SD3) Test - Symptoms and Signs

machiavellianism narcissism psychopathy dark triad

This self-report measure is designed to provide a brief screening of socially aversive personality traits. The Short Dark Triad (SD3) assesses three related constructs commonly referred to as the dark triad: Machiavellianism, subclinical narcissism, and subclinical psychopathy.

Respondents rate their agreement with brief statements, yielding scale scores that can be used to summarize a personality profile for research or clinical-informed contexts where rapid trait estimation is needed. Developed by Kevin M. Williams, it contains 27 items and typically requires about 5 minutes to complete. The Short Dark Triad (SD3) is not a diagnostic instrument and should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical judgment and other assessment data.

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.; Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment. 2014.

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