Considering the polarity found in politics now, many are turning to one of the most popular political tests, the political compass. This is a test that gives the taker 62 simple questions about religion, policies, and nature, to plot them on a political graph. It’s popularity has massively grown because instead of sorting the taker into set parties, or boxes, this test sorts you onto one axis for economic ideology, and another for political ideology. This is seen as an easy way to determine roughly where you stand. 

Yet, despite its growing popularity, and introduction to basic politics, the political compass test has its faults. Aside from the obvious complaint that 62 questions is   nearly enough to determine an entire ideology, there are also many complaints that there is internal bias. For example, some of the questions are worded so as to be extraordinarily weighted. Questions like “ “ clearly lead you onto a specific answer. No human in their right mind would choose the alternative. This may be one of the reasons a vast majority land in the left wing libertarian quadrant. Including socialists, liberals, and even some conservatives. This heavily tipped the scales. Another complaint was presented by economist and concerns the use of only two axes. This clearly highlights one of the major problems with double axis tests. Because of this, this test can give you a false sense of simplicity, and lack of nuance when it comes to politics.

So despite its seeming ease, it may not be the best way to start examining ideology. Although it can be a good first step. There are many tests that can be more nuanced. These exclude the nine axis political test, and more specific ones such as left values if you want to be more exact. Even for those first stepping into politics, it might be better to do simple reading, and basic research to find out what you think you are. Which is perhaps one of the biggest problems with quizzes in general, for what you think about the world can usually not be determined by questions, but rather is chosen by you.