CAT-Q Test Explained: How Autistic Masking Is Measured

The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire, or CAT-Q, is a 25-item self-report questionnaire about how people hide or compensate for autistic traits in social situations. It was published by Hull and colleagues in 2019.

What is masking?

Masking, also called camouflaging, means hiding or adapting parts of yourself to fit in. This might involve rehearsing conversations, copying other people, forcing eye contact or hiding a need to move or stim.

Many people describe it as exhausting, and it can make autism harder for others to recognise.

What does the CAT-Q measure?

The questionnaire has three parts:

• Compensation: strategies used to make up for social difficulties, such as learning scripts.
• Masking: hiding autistic traits or presenting a different version of yourself.
• Assimilation: trying to fit in, including when it feels uncomfortable.

How is it scored?

There are 25 statements answered on a seven-point scale, so total scores range from 25 to 175. A higher score means you report more camouflaging behaviours. You may see a score of 100 quoted online, but this does not diagnose autism or prove that you mask.

What are its limits?

• It relies on your own awareness, and some people may not notice that they mask.
• People can camouflage for reasons other than autism, including social anxiety.
• Your score may depend on your current environment and how safe you feel.

What should I do next?

• Notice where you feel most tired after socialising and where you can drop the effort.
• Talk to your GP if you would like to explore an assessment. The NHS explains how autism diagnosis works.
• Read our guide to what to do after a self-test.
• Try our free, private autistic masking test, which uses different questions and is not a clinical tool.