Personality
Psychopathy Test (EPA-SSF)
18 statements measuring psychopathic personality traits.
About this test
This test uses the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment – Super Short Form (EPA-SSF), a research measure of psychopathic personality traits. These traits sit on a continuum that everyone falls on somewhere — they include things like boldness and risk-taking, low empathy, and acting on impulse. A higher total means you described more of these traits in yourself. This is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical or forensic diagnosis: a label like "psychopathy" can only be assessed by a qualified professional, and a high score here does not mean you are dangerous or have a disorder.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 18–41 | Lower psychopathic traits |
| 42–65 | Moderate psychopathic traits |
| 66–90 | Higher psychopathic traits |
About this questionnaire
The EPA-SSF is a freely available screening questionnaire. We present it exactly as published and add a plain-language explanation of your result.
It is for education and self-reflection, not a diagnosis — a score is a snapshot, not a label. If your result worries you, talk to a qualified professional. See how we choose and check our tests and our editorial standards.
Further independent, authoritative sources on this topic:
Frequently asked questions
What does this test measure?
Psychopathic personality traits on a continuum, using the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment Super Short Form. It reflects traits such as boldness, low empathy and impulsivity. A higher total means you endorsed more of these traits.
Does a high score mean I am a psychopath?
No. This is a self-report trait measure, not a clinical or forensic diagnosis, and "psychopath" is not a casual label. Only a qualified professional can assess this properly. A high score simply means you described more of these traits in yourself.
Is this test free?
Yes. It uses the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment Super Short Form, which the authors make freely available, and we credit them on this page.
Related screenings
Source: Elemental Psychopathy Assessment – Super Short Form (EPA-SSF), based on Lynam et al. (2011). Made freely available for use by the authors (D. R. Lynam & J. D. Miller).