12AXES · Questionnaire v2

A map, not a label.

12axes is an independent reflection tool. It does not recommend a party, candidate or ideology.

Two lengths, the same twelve dimensions

The quick test contains 60 statements: 5 per dimension, drawn from the full questionnaire. The full test contains 288 statements: 24 per dimension. Each has its own saved progress. Time estimates are approximate and depend on reading speed. More questions provide more occasions for reflection; they do not make this a validated assessment.

How scores are calculated

Strongly agree, agree, neutral / unsure, disagree and strongly disagree receive +2, +1, 0, −1 and −2. On each dimension we separately average answers to first-pole and second-pole statements. The first-pole percentage is 50 + 12.5 × (first-pole average − second-pole average), rounded to a whole number. The other percentage is 100 minus that number. Each direction has equal total weight, even though the quick test has three statements in one direction and two in the other.

Read the middle carefully

A 50/50 result may reflect neutral answers, uncertainty, or strong answers that balance out. The neutral-answer count adds context, but is not a confidence estimate. The two poles describe a simplified tension; they are not always mutually exclusive.

Limits of the questionnaire

These are original statements for self-reflection, not a validated psychometric instrument, public-opinion survey or voting recommendation. Wording and cultural context affect interpretation. Scores do not measure knowledge, morality or extremism. Quick and full results can differ because they cover different statements.

Languages and versions

Questionnaire v2 provides English, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, French and German. The translations aim to preserve meaning and scoring direction. They have not undergone independent linguistic or cross-cultural validation. Compare languages and versions with care.

Reading the twelve scales

The selected dimensions are editorial choices, not a claim that political beliefs have exactly twelve independent components. The definitions on The 12 axes page explain how this particular test uses each pair.