Free Screening
Camouflaging Test (CAT-Q)
Measure your level of social camouflaging with the CAT-Q, a scientifically validated questionnaire. 25 questions. Completely anonymous.
Are you hiding who you are?
Social camouflaging describes the strategies many adults use to hide or compensate for autistic traits in social situations. It can involve copying others' body language, practising facial expressions in the mirror, developing scripts for conversations, or suppressing natural reactions to fit in.
For many, it feels like playing a role — all the time. It is exhausting, and it can lead to anxiety, depression, or a deep sense of not knowing yourself. Many describe it as having worn a mask for so long that they no longer know who they are without it.
Camouflaging is especially common among women and people who were missed in childhood. But it occurs across genders. The CAT-Q is the first scientifically validated instrument to measure this phenomenon.
Who is this test for?
Adults aged 18 and over who have a sense of adapting more than others in social situations. The test is relevant whether you have an autism diagnosis, are considering an assessment, or are simply curious.
The CAT-Q is also useful as a supplement to the RAADS-R, because it captures the strategies that can cause an autism screening to score lower than expected.
The three dimensions
Compensation
Consciously learning and applying social rules. Copying body language, preparing conversation topics, studying social situations.
Masking
Actively hiding autistic reactions. Forcing eye contact, suppressing stims, controlling facial expressions.
Assimilation
Feeling compelled to fit in. A sense of playing a role, of conversations not flowing naturally.
What is the CAT-Q?
The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire) was developed by Dr. Laura Hull at University College London in 2019. It is the first validated questionnaire specifically designed to measure social camouflaging.
The test has 25 statements across three subscales: compensation (9 statements), masking (8 statements), and assimilation (8 statements). You respond on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Total score ranges from 25 to 175, with a threshold of 100 for significant camouflaging.
Take the test
Your answers are not saved and are not sent to any server. Everything is processed locally in your browser.
How to take the test
- —Rate each statement based on how well it describes you in general — not just today.
- —1 = Strongly Disagree, 7 = Strongly Agree. There are no right or wrong answers.
- —The test measures three types of camouflaging: compensation (learning social rules), masking (hiding your true self), and assimilation (trying to fit in).
1.When I am interacting with someone, I deliberately copy their body language or facial expressions.
2.I monitor my body language or facial expressions so that I appear relaxed.
3.I rarely feel the need to put on an act in order to get through a social situation.
4.I have developed a script to follow in social situations (e.g., a list of questions or topics).
5.I will repeat phrases that I have heard others say in the exact same way that I first heard them.
6.I adjust my body language or facial expressions so that I appear interested by the person I am interacting with.
7.In social situations, I feel like I'm 'performing' rather than being myself.
8.In my own social interactions, I use behaviours that I have learned from watching other people interacting.
9.I always think about the impression I make on other people.
Understanding your score
Total score
Below 100
Your level of social camouflaging falls below the threshold considered significant. This does not rule out autism — not all autistic adults camouflage to a high degree.
100–136
Your score suggests a high degree of social camouflaging. Many people with this score experience exhaustion, anxiety, or a sense of not knowing themselves. It may be worth exploring whether autism lies behind the masking.
137+
A score in this range suggests a very high degree of camouflaging. The average score for autistic women is 124. A clinical assessment can help you understand what drives the masking and find strategies that work for you.
Research averages
| Group | Average |
|---|---|
| Autistic women | 124 / 175 |
| Autistic men | 109 / 175 |
| Non-autistic women | 91 / 175 |
| Non-autistic men | 97 / 175 |
Hull et al. (2019), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(3), 819\u2013833.
Note: Camouflaging is associated with lower well-being, higher anxiety, and depression in autistic adults. High assimilation is the subscale that most strongly predicts reduced well-being.
Frequently asked questions about the camouflaging test
What is the difference between camouflaging and masking?+
The terms are often used interchangeably. Masking typically refers to hiding autistic traits, while camouflaging is a broader concept that also includes actively compensating and adapting to social expectations. The CAT-Q measures three dimensions: compensation, masking, and assimilation.
Does a high score mean I am autistic?+
Not necessarily. The CAT-Q measures camouflaging, not autism directly. High camouflaging is more common in autistic adults but can also occur with social anxiety or other conditions. However, a high score may confirm a sense that something lies beneath the surface, and it can be worth exploring further.
Why is the test in English?+
The CAT-Q was developed in English (Hull et al., 2019) and does not yet have an officially validated Danish translation. To preserve scientific validity, we show the original English statements. The response scale is translated to Danish.
What should I do if I score above 100?+
A score above 100 suggests a significant degree of social camouflaging. Many choose to take the next step with an autism assessment to understand what lies behind the masking. You can book directly — no referral is needed.
Can men also camouflage?+
Yes. Camouflaging has been studied more in women, but it occurs across genders. Men score lower on average on the CAT-Q, but this does not mean male camouflaging is rare — it just looks different.
Is the test anonymous?+
Yes. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and nothing is stored. We cannot see your result.
What are the three subscales?+
Compensation involves consciously learning and applying social rules (e.g., copying body language, rehearsing conversation topics). Masking involves hiding autistic reactions (e.g., forcing eye contact, suppressing stims). Assimilation involves feeling compelled to fit in (e.g., feeling like you are playing a role).
Who created this test?+
The CAT-Q was developed by Dr. Laura Hull and colleagues at University College London and published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in 2019. It is the first validated instrument specifically designed to measure camouflaging.
Sources
- Hull L, Mandy W, Lai MC, et al. (2019). Development and Validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(3), 819\u2013833.
- Lai MC, Lombardo MV, Ruigrok AN, et al. (2017). Quantifying and exploring camouflaging in men and women with autism. Autism, 21(6), 690\u2013702.
- Hull L, Petrides KV, Allison C, et al. (2017). "Putting on My Best Normal": Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519\u20132534.
Ready for the next step?
Camouflaging can hide autism from the world, but it doesn't hide it from you. Regardless of your score, you are welcome to book an assessment.
By Markus Lien, clinical psychologist · Updated March 2026