For a detailed tutorial explaining Mensa qualifying IQ scores and how to get into Mensa click here.
Note that this is independent advice by researchers specializing in intelligence augmentation through cognitive training interventions.
What is Mensa?
Founded in 1946 by Roland Berrill, an Australian barrister, and Dr. Lancelot Ware, a British scientist and lawyer, Mensa is a high IQ society – the only qualification for membership being an IQ is in the top 2% of the population. Mensa members are also known as ‘Mensans’.
The word ‘Mensa’ comprises two Latin words: mens, which means “mind” and mensa, which means “table”, indicating that it is a round-table (open discussion) society of minds.
There are now around 100,000 Mensans in 100 countries throughout the world. There are active Mensa organizations in over 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
How to become a Mensa member
Mensa membership is open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised intelligence test.
American Mensa accepts scores from approximately 200 different standardized intelligence tests, as well as Mensa’s own dedicated IQ test. Some of these test one’s spatial and analytical abilities using non-verbal questions only. We call these tests “culture fair” because they don’t require general knowledge, vocabulary or math skills that are learned in school and which differ from culture to culture. Other IQ tests include questions that present verbal analogies or puzzles that test comprehension and mathematical ability.
A list of some of the authorized IQ tests for Mensa membership with Mensa membership are listed here.
Results from tests given by an institution, agency or clinic must include the full name of the test, the score and the percentile rank. This documentation must be on the letterhead of the institution, agency or clinic; it also must be signed by the psychologist responsible for the testing and must include the psychologist’s license/certification number as issued by the state in which the psychologist practices. Applications are individually assessed by Mensa. The American Mensa application form can be found here. This month the evaluation is free. Normally it is $40.
You may already be qualified
If you took your SAT exam before 1/31/94 or GRE before 9/30/01 you may find your score qualifies you for membership. For details click here.
Mensa Admission Test
If you have not taken an official IQ test by a qualified administrator, you can choose to take Mensa’s own Admission Test. This involves certified volunteer Proctors supervising a testing session in your area! You can contact your national Mensa organisation to find out about the schedules for these tests – click here for details.
If you score at or above the 98th percentile on either of the two tests, you’ll qualify and be invited to join Mensa.
If English isn’t your primary language, American Mensa offers a battery of culture fair, non-language tests.
How to prepare for a Mensa admission test
This will be the topic of our next blog. Practice makes a very big difference. Improving your actual IQ level with evidence-based i3 Mindware IQ increase neuroplasticity training can also help.
To get you limbered up, try the Mensa Workout.
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