How to Join Mensa

How to join Mensa: Score in the top 2% (usually IQ 130+). Learn how to get into Mensa, what IQ you need, and how to take the Mensa test.

Dr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist

How to Join Mensa

Mensa is the world's oldest and largest high-IQ society, with about 150,000 members across more than 90 countries. Founded in 1946, the organization accepts anyone who scores in the top 2 percent on a standardized intelligence test. The name comes from the Latin word for "table," representing the idea that intelligent people from all backgrounds can meet as equals.

What is the IQ requirement for Mensa?

Mensa's requirement for membership is straightforward: you must score at or above the 98th percentile on an approved, standardized intelligence test. This means you've performed better than 98 percent of people who take the same test.

The specific IQ score needed depends on which test you take. For the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, the minimum accepted score is 132. For the Cattell test, it's 148. For the Wechsler tests (such as the WAIS or WISC), the requirement is 130. These different cutoffs exist because intelligence tests use different scoring scales. The term "IQ score" is poorly defined, and a result of 132 on one test can be equivalent to 148 on another test. That's why Mensa uses the 98th percentile as its standard rather than a specific IQ number.

One person in every 50 would qualify, which would mean an estimated 6.8 million Americans qualify for Mensa membership. Many people who are eligible don't realize they qualify.

Two paths to Mensa membership

There are two ways to qualify for Mensa membership: taking a test administered by Mensa or submitting qualifying scores from a test that the applicant has already taken.

Path 1: Take the Mensa Admission Test

The Mensa Admission Test consists of two parts and takes between 1-2 hours to complete. An applicant has two chances to qualify: if they score at or above the 98th percentile on either test in the battery, they are eligible for membership.

The test can be taken in two formats:

Local Group Testing: This is a paper-and-pencil version administered in a group setting by certified Mensa member volunteers. It costs $60. These tests are scheduled periodically in different cities and require advance registration. Examinees will need to bring a photo ID with proof of their date of birth.

Private Testing: The electronic version of the test is available at approved testing centers nationwide. It costs $99 and can be scheduled at the examinee’s convenience. This option offers more flexibility in timing and location.

The Mensa Admission Test is designed solely for membership qualification and does not provide a detailed score report, percentile rank, or IQ score. Examinees only learn whether they are qualified to join Mensa or not. Individuals may take a test or test battery once every eight weeks, though if they have taken all available tests without qualifying, Mensa encourages them to submit evidence of prior testing instead.

One important limitation: Mensa cannot offer testing for individuals under age 14 due to age restrictions. However, children under 14 can submit evidence of testing completed with a clinical psychologist or through their school.

Path 2: Submit prior test scores

American Mensa accepts scores from approximately 200 different standardized intelligence tests. This includes tests many people have taken for other purposes, such as:

• IQ tests administered by psychologists (Stanford-Binet, WAIS, WISC, Woodcock-Johnson)

• College admissions tests taken before certain dates (older SAT, GRE, LSAT, ACT, GMAT)

• Military aptitude tests (older AFQT, GCT, GT scores)

• School-administered tests (CogAT, Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)

However, there are strict requirements for submitted documentation:

Tests must be administered by a neutral and qualified third party in a traditional testing environment. Documentation must be the original or a notarized copy of the original. Printouts from websites or PDFs of test results accessed online do not count. The documentation can be submitted by having the school or testing service send scores directly to Mensa, sending a notarized copy, or submitting the original and requesting its return.

One critical restriction: American Mensa does not accept unsupervised testing as proof of eligibility, specifically unsupervised testing administered electronically or via internet-based tests. That means the countless "IQ tests" available online, even if they claim to be legitimate, cannot be used to qualify for Mensa membership. The testing must be proctored and supervised.

Evaluation of prior test scores typically takes two to four weeks. Mensa's supervisory psychologists individually appraise all documentation, and they reserve the right to make the final determination about the acceptability of any test.

Joining Mensa After Qualifying

Once a person has qualified for Mensa, membership can start immediately. After qualifying, a person is qualified for life; Mensa members do not need to prove their merit again.

Annual membership dues are $107 for American Mensa, with discounts available for additional family members and multi-year memberships. Applicants can join online or by calling Member Services. Within 10 business days, a new member receives their membership card and new member packet in the mail.

What do you get with Mensa membership?

The benefits of Mensa membership fall into several categories:

Social and intellectual activities: Activities are scheduled almost daily on the Mensa calendar, ranging from tours to guest speakers to parties. Local groups organize get-togethers around interests such as foreign food, movies, or neighborhood gatherings. Many members cite the camaraderie of being among people who share their love of learning as a major benefit.

Several countries hold large annual gatherings in different cities each year, featuring speakers, dances, leadership workshops, children's events, games, and other activities. In the United States, the Annual Gathering is typically held around Independence Day. Europe has its own European Mensa Annual Gathering (EMAG).

Special Interest Groups: Mensa has more than 150 Special Interest Groups that allow members to pursue their interests with other Mensans, from ancient baking techniques to quilting. These SIGs represent a wide variety of interests at international, national, and local levels, ranging from motorcycle clubs to entrepreneurial cooperations.

Publications: Members receive access to multiple publications. American Mensa publishes the monthly Mensa Bulletin, while British Mensa publishes Mensa Magazine. These publications keep members informed about events, research, and community news.

Discounts and benefits: Members receive discounts on products and services including magazine subscriptions, insurance, and travel. Some members report that these discounts can offset their annual dues.

Educational support: The Mensa Foundation publishes the Mensa Research Journal, which highlights scholarly articles and recent research related to intelligence. The foundation also awards scholarships and supports educational initiatives.

Is a Mensa membership worth it?

Whether Mensa membership is worthwhile depends on what you're looking for. If you want intellectual stimulation, social connections with like-minded people, or access to unique events and activities, Mensa can provide that. Some members are very active, attending local meetings and national gatherings regularly. Others maintain membership primarily for the sense of belonging to a community of equals.

However, Mensa membership itself doesn't confer any special professional advantages or credentials. It's a social and intellectual organization, not a professional society. And while Mensa provides opportunities for connection, it's up to individual members to take advantage of those opportunities. Interested individuals are invited to try out the Mensa IQ Challenge.

Check out this insightful conversation between intelligence scholar Dr Russell T. Warne interviewed by Mensa International Chairman Björn Liljeqvist on debunking IQ myths: