Do you or does someone you know meet the DSM-5 criteria for someone with narcissistic personality disorder? If so, you might be interested in taking the NPI test.
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is the test most used in psychological research of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. While there are actually several versions of the NPI, this 40-question, “forced-choice” version is the one most researchers prefer. Based on the DSM clinical criteria for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), the NPI means to measure these features in the general population.
Warning: this test is considered controversial because it’s possible to score high even if you aren’t a toxic narcissist – because, based on the test, ALL narcissism is “bad” – but in reality, there is such a thing as a healthy amount of narcissism.
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Take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory Test Here
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You may prefer an interactive version of the NPI, which you can find here. That is what makes the test so controversial for some: it’s possible to score high even if you aren’t a toxic narcissist – because, based on the test, ALL narcissism is “bad” – but in reality, there is such a thing as a healthy amount of narcissism.
Researchers say that people who score high on the NPI are more likely to cheat in game-play and romantic relationships. They also put themselves before others by taking more resources for themselves and leave fewer for others, and they value material things above people. They also might be obsessively concerned with their outer appearance – unless, of course, they’re a covert type of narcissist.
Narcissistic Personality Inventory Test With Scoring Guide: 40 Questions
Here’s the test in writing. Read each question and choose A or B. Write down your answers or type them into a document, and then score them using the guide at the end of the test.
B. I am not good at influencing people.2. A. Modesty doesn’t become me.
B. I am essentially a modest person.
B. I tend to be a fairly cautious person.
4. A. When people compliment me I sometimes get embarrassed.
B. I know that I am good because everybody keeps telling me so.
6. A. I can usually talk my way out of anything.
7. A. I prefer to blend in with the crowd.
8. A. I will be a success.
9. A. I am no better or worse than most people.
10. A. I am not sure if I would make a good leader.
11. A. I am assertive.
12. A. I like to have authority over other people.
13. A. I find it easy to manipulate people.
14. A. I insist upon getting the respect that is due me.
15. A. I don’t particularly like to show off my body.
16. A. I can read people like a book.
17. A. If I feel competent I am willing to take responsibility for making decisions.
18. A. I just want to be reasonably happy.
19. A. My body is nothing special.
20. A. I try not to be a show off.
21. A. I always know what I am doing.
22. A. I sometimes depend on people to get things done.
23. A. Sometimes I tell good stories.
24. A. I expect a great deal from other people.
25. A. I will never be satisfied until I get all that I deserve.
26. A. Compliments embarrass me.
27. A. I have a strong will to power.
28. A. I don’t care about new fads and fashions.
29. A. I like to look at myself in the mirror.
30. A. I really like to be the center of attention.
31. A. I can live my life in any way I want to.
32. A. Being an authority doesn’t mean that much to me.
33. A. I would prefer to be a leader.
34. A. I am going to be a great person.
35. A. People sometimes believe what I tell them.
36. A. I am a born leader.
37. A. I wish somebody would someday write my biography.
38. A. I get upset when people don’t notice how I look when I go out in public.
39. A. I am more capable than other people.
40. A. I am much like everybody else.
SCORING KEY: Assign one point for each response that matches the key.
1, 2 and 3: A4, 5: B6: A7: B8: A9, 10: B11, 12, 13, 14: A15: B16: A17, 18, 19, 20: B21: A22, 23: B24, 25: A26: B27: A28: B29, 30, 31: A32: B33, 34: A35: B36, 37, 38, 39: A40: B
About the Scores:
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- The average score for the general population is 15.3. The average score for celebrities is 17.8.
- It’s really important that you consider which traits are dominant. So, a final score that reflects more points on vanity, entitlement, exhibitionism, and exploitativeness should raise more concern than a high score in authority, self-sufficiency, and superiority, for example.
- This test does not offer the full spectrum of scoring as it does not take into account the seven narcissistic component traits as follows.
- Visit this post for an interactive version of the NPI test.
- The average score for the general population is 15.3. The average score for celebrities is 17.8.
Helpful related articles for survivors of narcissistic abuse
Why Narcissists Are Often Misdiagnosed With Bipolar Disorder
Secrets and Self-Loathing: Identifying a Covert Narcissist
Are you married to a narcissist? 12 easy ways to spot
Toxic Relationships and Narcissism: Stages of Gaslighting
Gaslighting and Toxic Narcissism: Top 10 Red Flags (Video)
Narcissistic Personality Inventory Test and Scoring Guide
Knowledge is Power: 4 Important NPD Statistics Survivors Need to Know
Toxic Relationships: Symptoms and Risk Factors of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Angela Atkinson is a certified trauma counselor and the author of more than 20 books on narcissism, narcissistic abuse recovery, and related topics. A recognized expert on narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder who has studied and written extensively on narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic abuse in toxic relationships since 2006, she has a popular narcissistic abuse recovery YouTube channel. Atkinson was inspired to begin her work as a result of having survived toxic relationships of her own.
Atkinson offers trauma-informed narcissistic abuse recovery coaching and has certifications in trauma counseling, life coaching, level 2 therapeutic model, CBT coaching, integrative wellness coaching, and NLP. She is a certified trauma support coach and certified family trauma professional. She also has a professional PTSD counseling certification. Her mission is to help those who have experienced the emotional and mental devastation that comes with narcissistic abuse in these incredibly toxic relationships to (re)discover their true selves, stop the gaslighting and manipulation, and move forward into their genuine desires – into a life that is exactly what they choose for themselves.
Along with her solution-focused life coaching experience, Atkinson’s previous career in journalism and research helps her to offer both accurate and understandable information for survivors of abuse in a simple-to-understand way that helps to increase awareness in the narcissistic abuse recovery community. Atkinson founded QueenBeeing.com Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Support, the SPANily Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Support Groups and the Life Makeover Academy.
She offers individual and group coaching for victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse here at QueenBeeing.com and at NarcissisticAbuseRecovery.Online.
