CAQ Score Interpretation

What is the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire?

The Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) was developed by Samuel Krug in 1980 at the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing (IPAT) as a detailed psychometric tool for clinical psychological evaluation. The CAQ extends the well-established 16PF (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire) – developed by Raymond Cattell, by adding 12 clinically oriented scales specifically designed to identify and quantify psychopathological syndromes. The result is a single scale that simultaneously profiles both normal personality structure and clinical symptom patterns, making it uniquely suited to detailed clinical evaluations.

The CAQ produces T-scores (standardized scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10) on all 28 dimensions. T-scores allow direct comparison across scales and to normative reference populations. Scores in the 40–60 range fall within the average band. Scores of 65 or above are clinically elevated and warrant clinical attention. Scores of 70 or above represent significant elevations, more than 2 standard deviations above the normative mean, and require careful clinical integration.

The CAQ is a Level C restricted scale, available only to qualified professionals through IPAT. Administration requires no special training, but interpretation demands doctoral-level expertise in psychological assessment, factor-analytic personality theory, and clinical psychopathology. It is used in clinical psychology for intake evaluations, forensic assessments, disability evaluations, differential clinical evaluation, and treatment planning in complex cases.

CAQ Clinical Syndrome Scales

The 12 clinical scales extend the 16PF to capture psychopathological features. T-scores of 65 or above are clinically elevated; 70 or above are significantly elevated.

CAQ T-Score Interpreter

Enter T-scores (20–80) for each of the 12 clinical syndrome scales directly. Each scale is flagged by severity band. Clinician reference tool, not a substitute for full clinical evaluation.

Clinician reference only. CAQ requires doctoral-level interpretation. This tool does not replace full clinical assessment.

16 Personality Factors (16PF Component)

The CAQ shares all 16 primary personality factor scales with the 16PF. Each factor is bipolar, low scores and high scores both carry clinical meaning. T-scores of 40–60 fall in the average range for all factors.

The CAQ's clinical power comes from integrating elevated clinical syndrome scales with the full 16-factor personality profile. For example, elevated D2 (Suicidal Depression) combined with low C (Emotional Stability) and low H (Social Boldness) creates a clinically distinct picture from the same D2 elevation alongside high C and high H. Always interpret clinical scale elevations within the full personality context.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CAQ measure?

The Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) measures 28 personality and clinical dimensions: 16 normal personality factors identical to the 16PF (Warmth, Reasoning, Emotional Stability, Dominance, Liveliness, Rule-Consciousness, Social Boldness, Sensitivity, Vigilance, Abstractedness, Privateness, Apprehension, Openness to Change, Self-Reliance, Perfectionism, and Tension) plus 12 clinical syndrome scales covering seven depression dimensions, paranoia, psychopathic deviance, schizophrenia, psychasthenia, and psychological inadequacy.

How is the CAQ different from the 16PF?

The 16PF measures normal personality dimensions in non-clinical and clinical populations. The CAQ extends the 16PF by adding 12 clinically-oriented scales specifically designed to detect psychopathology. Both tools share the same 16 primary personality factor scales, but the CAQ adds 272 items total (vs. 185 for the 16PF Form A) to measure the additional clinical syndromes. This makes the CAQ particularly valuable when both personality structure and psychopathological features need to be assessed simultaneously.

What are T-scores and how should they be interpreted?

T-scores are standardized scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10, based on normative samples. On the CAQ, T-scores of 40–60 fall within the average range. Scores of 65–69 are considered clinically elevated and warrant clinical attention. Scores of 70 or above represent significant elevations more than 2 standard deviations above the mean. Clinical interpretation requires integrating elevated clinical scales with the full 16-factor personality profile rather than interpreting individual scales in isolation.

Which CAQ scales are most clinically significant when elevated?

D2 (Suicidal Depression) warrants immediate clinical attention when elevated, as it reflects hopelessness and passive suicidal ideation. Pa (Paranoia) elevations are important for differential clinical evaluation in psychotic spectrum presentations. Sc (Schizophrenia) elevations require careful clinical evaluation to distinguish clinical psychosis from schizotypal features or medication effects. The pattern across all seven depression subscales (D1–D7) can help differentiate subtypes of depressive presentations more precisely than a single depression measure.

How long does the CAQ take to administer?

The CAQ typically requires 90–120 minutes to complete for most clients. It is available in paper-and-pencil and computer-administered formats. Unlike briefer screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7), the CAQ is a detailed assessment appropriate for intake evaluations, forensic assessments, disability evaluations, and situations requiring a full personality and psychopathology profile. It is not recommended as a routine brief outcome measure due to its length.

Who is qualified to administer and interpret the CAQ?

The CAQ can be administered by trained assessment technicians or supervised graduate students, but interpretation requires doctoral-level training in psychological assessment (licensed psychologist or supervised doctoral candidate). The CAQ is a Level C restricted scale available only to qualified professionals through IPAT (Institute for Personality and Ability Testing). Interpretation requires familiarity with factor-analytic personality theory, psychometric principles, and clinical psychopathology.