Mensa International is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. Founded in England in 1946 by attorney Roland Berrill and scientist Lance Ware, the organization aims to identify, understand, and support intelligence.
What is Mensa?
The society encourages research into intelligence and seeks to create both social and intellectual experiences for its members. The word "mensa" means "table" in Latin, reminiscent of the idea of great minds meeting around a table. Mensa does not have an established platform or set of values; instead, it provides a forum for members to express their diverse opinions.
To promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members, Mensa offers a variety of activities. These include discussion groups, social events, and annual meetings. The events differ according to whatever a local group does, often having meetings at restaurants, or games nights, or parties at people's homes. The events are posted in a monthly newsletter.
Inside of Mensa are multiple Member-operated Special Interest Groups (SIGs), of varying activity levels on subjects which range from religion to politics to movies to ESP to medical conditions to food.
American Mensa was founded in 1960 by Peter Sturgeon, with its national office located in Arlington, Texas. The Mensa Education & Research Foundation (MERF) was established in 1971 to further Mensa’s mission.
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Mensa Membership Requirements
Mensa membership is open to adults and children, with members varying widely in education, income, and occupation. The primary qualification for joining Mensa is achieving a score at the 98th percentile on a standardized, supervised IQ test or other approved intelligence test.
Specifically, this means scoring higher than or equal to 98 percent of the general population taking the test. Mensa also administers its own tests for prospective members. Anyone can join if they have scored at the 98th percentile on the accepted tests. All you need is one test score - low scores on previous tests do not count against the person.
After that requirement, any human, any color, any creed, any income level is welcome to join.
Accepted Tests:
To become a Mensan, the only qualification is to report a score at the 98th percentile (meaning a score that is greater than or equal to that achieved by 98 percent of the general population taking the test) on an approved intelligence test that has been administered and supervised by a qualified examiner. Mensa also administers such tests itself.
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Isla McNabb: A Young Mensa Member
Isla McNabb's story exemplifies the exceptional intelligence that qualifies individuals for Mensa membership. At just two years old, Isla began displaying remarkable reading abilities. The letters C-H-A-I-R were left next to a chair. Letters spelling out S-O-F-A were arranged next to the couch.
At one point, Isla’s parents found their household kitty Booger lying next to the letters C-A-T. Amanda McNabb suggested that Isla undergo IQ testing after witnessing her unique talents. Isla ultimately scored in the 99th percentile of intelligence for age on the Stanford-Binet IQ tests at 2½ years old. On 2 June 2022, Guinness formally recognized her as the world’s youngest female Mensa member.
To best support Isla, the McNabbs enrolled Isla in Mensa, hoping to connect with other similarly situated parents who could share some information with them. Isla, now three, is attending preschool. She has proven to be especially strong in mathematics and continues to bolster her reading skills with the help of her favorite books, which include The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Pete the Cat.
Benefits of Mensa Membership
The benefits of Mensa membership extend beyond mere intellectual validation. Membership benefits include opportunities to participate in discussion groups, social events, and annual meetings. These groups cover a wide array of topics, from scholarly disciplines to recreational pursuits.
Each local group is loosely led by a Local Secretary ("LocSec") who is voted on. A country will have an Annual Gathering (AG) once a year. For instance, the American and Canadian AGs are usually held during the American Independence Day (July 4th) or Canada Day (July 1st) holiday weekends respectively. American Mensa also holds a Mind Games event every year.
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The organization fosters a sense of community among like-minded individuals. The biggest benefit to Mensa is the community.
Here are some examples of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) within Mensa:
- ANCIENT WEAPONS SIG: For those who are interested in all forms of ancient weaponry from Balistas and Trebuchets to the simple yet effective English longbows of old.
- ARTS & CRAFTS: For artisans, craftspeople, and performing artists, beginner through expert, who want to communicate, share, teach, and learn.
- BARDOLATRY: This SIG is for lovers and enthusiasts of the Bard of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Whether your interest in William Shakespeare is mere curiosity or fierce passion, Bardolatry is for you.
- BRAINCHILD SIG: Devoted to providing information to parents on raising and nurturing a gifted child. The latest research, studies, tips, and problems will be highlighted and promoted.
- CAVERN AMERICA: Intelligent but fun study of Beatlemania and the British invasion of the 60’s. The reincarnation of this popular 80’s SIG.
- CHOCOLATE M: We explore the world of chocolate in cooking and eating, in literature, in history, and in any other way we can.
- CLASSICAL MUSIC SIG: Is your love for classical music Inextinguishable? Do you think the 4-H Club is the Handel, Haydn, Holst and Honegger Society? Does your car horn play the Fanfares from Janacek’s Sinfonietta? Bravo! Let’s discuss music, composers, performers, concerts, recordings, etc.
- COMPUTER GAMING: Just a group of those (not necessarily computer professionals) who consider the computer an exciting plaything.
- DOGCRAZY: For those who are going or who have gone to the dogs. If your dogs are family, then this SIG is for you.
- ELECTRONIC MUSIC SIG: From Eno to Squarepusher and from Reason to ProTools, this groups is for those who listen to electronic music and those who create it.
- ENTREPRENEUR: For Mensans who are entrepreneurs or would like to be entrepreneurs. Do you have entrepreneurial expertise or advice to offer? Do you need entrepreneurial expertise or advice? Want to meet and make friends with others who have an entrepreneurial spirit?
- FEATHERY CHIRPERS: Tired of being asked if you’re a cat person or a dog person? Forum for folks interested in birds as companion animals.
Being able to meet people who you absolutely know have a like level of intelligence is not something Mensa members get in their daily lives. What you find for the most part is people sitting around and talking, playing games, sharing jokes and doing other things normal people do.
A Mensan's spouse and children are welcome at events, whether they themselves actually qualify or not.
Notable Mensa Members:
Mensa boasts a diverse membership, including notable figures such as:
- Isaac Asimov (author)
- Theodore Bikel (actor)
- General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
- Alan Rachins (actor)
- Ashley Rickards (actress)
- Chris Hadfield (astronaut)
- Carol Vorderman (television personality)
