The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has outlined criteria for diagnosing narcissism, and according to this, an individual must exhibit at least five traits of narcissistic personality disorder. This test aims to assess your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and identify any specific traits and characteristics that may be associated with a narcissistic personality disorder.
The test consists of 32 items, and you need to indicate how well each item applies to you. You should indicate “strongly agree” if the item best describes you, and “strongly disagree” if it does not apply to you.
8 Narcissistic traits explained
Grandiosity
Grandiosity refers to an exaggerated sense of one’s abilities, talent, importance, and power. People with grandiosity believe that they are superior to others, have an inflated sense of self-esteem, and seek attention from others. They often expect others to treat them with special treatment and privileges without any proper reason. Please keep in mind that grandiosity is considered a major trait of narcissistic personality disorder, but it can also be present in other mental health disorders such as antisocial personality disorder. Mental health professionals consider this trait severe only when it causes interpersonal conflicts and impairs personal and professional life.
Fantasy
Enjoying or engaging with fantasy or daydreaming is a normal and healthy aspect of human imagination and creativity. It can help in exploring new ideas, emotions, and experiences, but people with narcissistic personality disorder often engage in grandiose fantasies about their power, relationships, and abilities. Not every person with narcissistic personality disorder exhibits every trait associated with the disorder, and some individuals may have a lower score in the “fantasy” dimension of narcissistic personality disorder. Therefore, a low score in this dimension does not necessarily mean that a person does not have Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Specialness
People suffering from narcissistic personality disorder often feel unique and special, have an inflated sense of their own importance, and feel the need to be admired by others. Normal and healthy self-esteem or confidence can sometimes lead to feelings of specialness, but in the context of narcissistic personality disorder, it is an exaggerated and unrealistic belief in one’s own superiority. People with this disorder also have a sense of insecurity and a need for validation from others regarding their unrealistic beliefs, which can result in difficulties in relationships and interpersonal conflicts as well as in day-to-day functioning.
Entitlement
People with narcissistic personality disorder believe in their own abilities and have an entitlement to special treatment from others. They strongly believe that they are deserving of receiving admiration, attention, and respect from others, even if they do not deserve it.
Exploitation
Exploitation is also considered a major trait of narcissistic disorder. People with this trait engage in exploitative behavior for their own gain without considering the harm it may cause to the other person.
Lack of empathy
People with narcissistic personality disorder show signs of lack of empathy and they show shallow emotions and can not feel the sufferings of other people around them.
Envy
Feeling a little jealous when someone gets successful is a natural and normal emotion, but people with narcissistic personalities experience envy when they find others threaten their entitlement with success and power. They also belittle others and spread rumors against individuals who they perceive are gaining success.
Arrogance
Arrogant people always believe that their beliefs and opinions are always justified and they try hard not to listen to others when others reject or disagree with their suggestions. They also dismiss perspectives and feedback from others and try hard to present others’ ideas as inferior or unimportant.
Is this narcissism test accurate?
We try to validate the accuracy of all screening tests, and our evaluation is based on user feedback. So far, we have received positive responses from test takers, but this tool is not for diagnosing narcissistic personality disorder. The accuracy may also depend on your honesty in answering the questions.
This test was developed by Deen Mohd and is clinically reviewed by Dr. Amir Husain, Ph.D. in psychology.
What is the purpose of a narcissism test?
When I started developing this test, my aim was to develop a standard narcissistic personality disorder inventory that could assess the level of narcissistic traits such as grandiosity, self-importance, entitlement, lack of empathy, etc. After I finished developing it, I got it reviewed by some psychologists and psychology teachers, and they also found that it may prove to be beneficial for individuals who are willing to seek professional help. So the main purpose of this self-assessment is to help people keep track of their level of traits associated with narcissism and seek professional help if they find that symptoms are interfering with their personal and professional lives.
What if I got a high score on this self-test?
As I have earlier said, the DSM-5 outlines criteria for the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, and it states that an individual must exhibit at least five traits associated with this personality disorder. In this test, I have covered eight traits that are considered major traits of narcissistic personality disorder.
On the results page, you will find the percentage likelihood of the trait along with the overall likelihood of this disorder. If you have a high level of likelihood of exhibiting symptoms of this disorder, it does not necessarily mean you are suffering from it.
The results of this test can also help mental health professionals gain insights into an individual’s subclinical narcissism traits and may also guide treatment and support. Please keep in mind that a single self-assessment or inventory is not sufficient for the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder.
What is the best narcissist test?
There is no single test that I can say is the best or even my own and they are used for self-evaluation but not self-diagnosis. Narcissistic personality disorder shares a lot of traits that are associated with other mental health conditions so it is difficult to diagnose you should not rely on a single self-assessment and it needs a though evaluation and clinical interview and a history of the symptoms.
However, self-assessments have proven to help people get the proper diagnosis by mental health professionals and are the valuable first steps toward getting treatment and support.