12 axes test, explained

A free political test that scores you on 12 separate axes across economy, state, society and world affairs, instead of the usual left-right and authoritarian-libertarian grid.

The compass averages everything into 2 numbers. Here, someone can be pro-market and pro-welfare, or secular and nationalist, and the result shows it.

Quick is 36 statements, about 5 minutes. Standard is 72. Deep is 162 and gives the most precise matches.

Standard (72 statements, about 10 minutes) is the best start. Quick gives a first read in 5 minutes. Deep asks every statement in the bank, so each axis rests on 13 or 14 statements and the matches are the steadiest.

Yes. A skipped statement is left out of your score. Neutral is different: it counts as an answer and pulls that axis a little toward the centre.

They were written for this test, drawing on published frameworks such as the Pew political typology and Moral Foundations research. Each statement has a short explainer with the main case for and against, and statements are keyed in both directions.

Each statement moves one axis (sometimes a second one by half as much). Agreeing moves you toward that statement's pole, disagreeing moves you away, and stronger answers move you further. Each axis is then scaled to run from -100 to +100. The formulas are on the methodology page.

It is a similarity score from the distance between your 12 scores and a profile on the same axes. 100% means the same position on every axis. It is not a probability and not a recommendation to support anyone.

People from history, and retired leaders, placed on the same 12 axes from their public record. Your twin is the one whose profile is closest to your scores. Current politicians are not shown until each profile has been checked by hand.

Yes. Every result has a compare link. When your friend takes the test through it, their result page shows both of you side by side. The link carries scores only, never answers.

No. It is carefully built and openly scored, but it is not validated like an academic survey scale. Treat the result as a starting point for thinking and talking, not as a label.

Yes, free. No sign-up for your result. An account is optional, only to save results over time.

Your 12 scores are saved without your name to show your result. Your individual answers are stored only if you tick the optional research box, which is unticked by default. Nothing is ever sold.

Your 12 scores and the length you chose. Never your answers, your name or your email address. Share images are drawn from the same scores.

With an account, one click on the account page deletes it and every saved result. Without one, write to us with the result link and we will find and delete it.

12axes-test.com is an independent test with its own questions, scoring and profiles. It is not affiliated with any other site or project using the 12 axes name.

It aims to be. Statements are written in plain words, keyed in both directions and come with the case for both sides. No position on any axis is scored as better than another.

The test is free. There are no paid results and no ads today. If that changes, the test and the full free result will stay free.