About Mensa - What is Mensa and what does it do?

What is Mensa?

Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

What are Mensa's goals?

Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.

How many members does Mensa have?

Today there are some 100,000 Mensans in 100 countries throughout the world. There are active Mensa organizations in over 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Membership numbers are also available for specific National Groups.

What kind of people are Members of Mensa?

There is simply no one prevailing characteristic of Mensa members other than high IQ. There are Mensans for whom Mensa provides a sense of family, and others for whom it is a casual social activity. There have been many marriages made in Mensa, but for many people, it is simply a stimulating opportunity for the mind. Most Mensans have a good sense of humor, and they like to talk. And, usually, they have a lot to say.

Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and 60. In education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people with multiple doctorates. There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans who are millionaires. As far as occupations, the range is staggering. Mensa has professors and truck drivers, scientists and firefighters, computer programmers and farmers, artists, military people, musicians, laborers, police officers, glassblowers--the diverse list goes on and on. There are famous Mensans and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many whose names you wouldn't know.

What does 'Mensa' mean?

The word 'Mensa' means 'table' in Latin. The name stands for a round-table society, where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant.

What opinions does Mensa have?

Mensa takes no stand on politics, religion or social issues. Mensa has members from so many different countries and cultures with differing points of view, that for Mensa to espouse a particular point of view would go against its role as a forum for all points of view. Of course, individual Mensa members often have strong opinions--and several of them. It is said that in a room with 12 Mensans you will find at least 13 differing opinions on any given subject.

How do I qualify for Mensa?

Membership in Mensa is open to persons who have attained a score within the upper two percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test that has been properly administered and supervised. There is no other qualification or disqualification for membership eligibility.

The term 'IQ score' is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. The result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score 148 on another test. Some intelligence tests don't use IQ scores at all. Mensa has set a percentile as cutoff to avoid this confusion. Candidates for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence (a score that is greater than or equal to that achieved by 98 percent of the general population taking the test).

Generally, there are two ways to prove that you qualify for Mensa: either take the Mensa test, or submit a qualifying test score from another test. There are a large number of intelligence tests that are 'approved'. More information on whether a test you have taken is approved, as well as information on the procedure for taking the Mensa test, can be obtained from the nearest Mensa office. There are no on-line tests that can be used for admission to Mensa. Mensa has no other eligibility requirements other than IQ testing. However, many tests are not valid for people under the age of 16. You should contact the nearest Mensa office for more information.

How do I get proof of my previous test scores?

Contact the testing service that administered the test to you requesting that they send you a report showing your score. Include as much information as you can about yourself and regarding when and where you were tested. If you can't give an exact answer, an approximation is better than nothing. Many testing services charge a fee for sending reports; you should give the service a call before writing them.

If your school did testing, write to the school you attended, and ask for a CERTIFIED copy of your score. It must include your birth date, the name of the test, and a clearly defined number, i.e., IQ, or percentile rank nationally. Mensa does not accept achievement tests. The school seal must be stamped on the report.

For psychologist/agency testing, have the report sent on professional letterhead, with the psychologist's or agency's license or registration number. Mensa accepts tests given only by those people qualified to do testing privately in the area in which the examiner resides. Date of test, name of test, and full score must be given, and the report must be signed.

Any signature-guaranteed or notarized copy of any of the reports will be accepted, other non-verifiable copies may be rejected.

Is there a Mensa test?

If you've never taken an IQ test, or don't want to bother with getting official copies of your test scores, then Mensa can test you. You will be put in contact with the local testing coordinator who will tell you about specific testing dates and places.

In some countries, a pre-test is available which you can take in the privacy of your home. To find out whether such a test is available in your country, please see National Groups. When you've finished the pre-test, send it back to the address instructed. It will be scored, and you will be notified of the results. If your score is high enough, you'll be invited to take a qualifying supervised test. The pre-test is just for practice; you can't use it to qualify for Mensa even if you score at or above the 98th percentile. Taking a pre-test is not required for admission, however, many people take it simply for the challenge.

Feel free to contact Mensa for more information or to arrange testing. More specific information is also available about testing costs for any of the National Groups.

If you want to take a practice, on-line test, the Mensa Workout is an intelligence quiz in which you have half an hour to answer 30 questions. When you submit your answers, your test is instantly scored, and you can see how your score measures up. The answers to the questions are provided along with discussion of the answers. The Workout is not an IQ test, and can't be used for qualification to join Mensa.

Are there any famous Mensans?

Sure! Here are a few . .

Geena Davis, actress. Received an Academy Award for her role in 'The Accidental Tourist' and an Academy Award nomination for 'Thelma & Louise'.

Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert comic strip seen in over 800 newspapers around the world..

Isaac Asimov, prolific American writer, esteemed for his science fiction and for his popular works in all branches of science.

Alan Rachins, plays Douglas Brachman in TV hit 'L.A. Law.' He left the Wharton School of Finance against his father's wishes to pursue an acting career. During the '60s he was in the cast of 'Oh Calcutta,' a highly controversial play where cast members appeared nude on stage.

Adrian Cronauer, radio personality and subject for the movie 'Good Morning Vietnam.' Started his radio career at 12 in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, where he hosted a children's amateur hour. Worked as a DJ at various radio stations and in Saigon during the Vietnam War. He is also a lawyer. Cronauer was originally attracted to Mensa because of the work they do for gifted children.

Donald E. Peterson, former chairman of Ford Motor Company. Has B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Stanford University. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi (honorary engineering society) and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (natural sciences). During his career at Ford, he was involved in the development of two of Ford's most successful cars--the Mustang and the Maverick--as well as the Mark III and the Fairlane. He is also a high-performance driver, having trained at the school run by retired racing champion Bob Bondurant. Petersen was born on a farm in the Midwest and raised during the Great Depression. Influenced by the hardship and economic instability his family endured, he used his intelligence to pursue a secure life in the corporate environment.

Bob Specta, professional domino toppler. As a high school senior, he originated the 'domino toppling' category in the Guinness Book of World Records. He travels internationally doing domino shows and races and has appeared on network TV programs and in commercials. An accomplished athlete, Specta is a veteran of 12 triathlons.

Gloria La Roche, Captain and instructor for United Airlines. Product of a dysfunctional home, she used intelligence and perseverance to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

Marilyn vos Savant, listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame for having the world's highest recorded I.Q. (228). She is the wife of Robert Jarvik, inventor of the Jarvik 7 artificial heart. She also writes 'Ask Marilyn,' a weekly column that appears nationally in 'Parade' magazine.

Henry Milligan, a boxer and a scholar, 1983 National Amateur Heavyweight champion who fought and won against Olympic heavyweight gold medallist Henry Tillman. He once fought Mike Tyson in a televised fight. Milligan recently worked his way through NYU Business School acting in commercials (e.g., for 'Sports Illustrated' sneaker phone promotion).

John N. Moore, University of Virginia law professor who specializes in international law. The Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S. hired him to help the emirate recover damages inflicted since the August 1990 invasion by Iraq.

Mell Lazarus, draws syndicated newspaper comic strips 'Momma' and 'Miss Peach.' President of national Cartoonist Society, he has also published two novels and is now writing his third.

Judge Ellen Morphonios, nicknamed 'Maximum Morphonios' for her strict rulings in Florida. Former model and beauty queen (Coconut Harvest Maiden and Miss Southern Florida) and local radio personality, once said she 'enjoyed being a sex symbol.' As a young mother and a legal secretary, she passed a Florida exam that allowed her to enter law school without an undergraduate degree.

Patricia Prattis Jennings, pianist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She is the symphony's first black member and has performed internationally.

Richard Bolles, author of the world's top selling job-hunting book, 'What Color is Your Parachute?' Revised annually, the book has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for 228 weeks. Bolles has two new books in progress--one on relationships, one on spirituality. He is an ordained Episcopal priest who graduated from Harvard University cum laud with a physics degree.

Velma Jeremiah, she is a retired attorney who graduated fourth in her law school class at age 47 and was one of the first women partners in a major Oregon law firm. She is a grandmother, a working standup comic, and past chairwoman of Mensa International.

Jean M. Auel, best-selling author of 'Clan of the Cave Bear', 'Valley of Horses', 'The Mammoth Hunters', 'Plains of Passage' and 'The Shelters of Stone'. A former technical writer, she turned her attention to fiction, buttressed by much historical and anthropological research, touring areas she was to write about and teaching herself to make stone-age tools.

Richard Buckminster Fuller

Sir Clive Sinclair

Adam Osborne

Alfred Hinds

Lucy Irvine

Joyce Carol Oates

Sir Cyril Burt

Janusz Majursky, President of the Polish Film Academy

Madsen Pirie, President of the Adam Smith Institute, London

Information on this page was taken from the 'Bekannte Mensaner' page of Mensa in Deutschland e.V. (MinD).

Copyright (c) 1999-2007 Charlotte/Blue Ridge Mensa
The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International Limited, all rights reserved.
Mensa does not hold any opinion or have, or express, any political or religious views.

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Upcoming Events View Full Calendar Events in September Scrabble Night Joan & John Barnes House 9/11 7:00 PM ExComm Showmars 9/13 7:00 PM Idiom Submission Deadline 9/15 11:00 PM Lurching Toward Oblivion McAlister's Deli 9/17 7:00 PM National Orienteering Day Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve 9/18 10:00 AM Mensa Night at the Black Crowes Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre 9/18 7:00 PM Events in October Events have not yet been posted for October	What is Mensa? Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities. What are Mensa's goals? Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members. How many members does Mensa have? Today there are some 100,000 Mensans in 100 countries throughout the world. There are active Mensa organizations in over 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Membership numbers are also available for specific National Groups. What kind of people are Members of Mensa? There is simply no one prevailing characteristic of Mensa members other than high IQ. There are Mensans for whom Mensa provides a sense of family, and others for whom it is a casual social activity. There have been many marriages made in Mensa, but for many people, it is simply a stimulating opportunity for the mind. Most Mensans have a good sense of humor, and they like to talk. And, usually, they have a lot to say. Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and 60. In education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people with multiple doctorates. There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans who are millionaires. As far as occupations, the range is staggering. Mensa has professors and truck drivers, scientists and firefighters, computer programmers and farmers, artists, military people, musicians, laborers, police officers, glassblowers--the diverse list goes on and on. There are famous Mensans and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many whose names you wouldn't know. What does 'Mensa' mean? The word 'Mensa' means 'table' in Latin. The name stands for a round-table society, where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant. What opinions does Mensa have? Mensa takes no stand on politics, religion or social issues. Mensa has members from so many different countries and cultures with differing points of view, that for Mensa to espouse a particular point of view would go against its role as a forum for all points of view. Of course, individual Mensa members often have strong opinions--and several of them. It is said that in a room with 12 Mensans you will find at least 13 differing opinions on any given subject. How do I qualify for Mensa? Membership in Mensa is open to persons who have attained a score within the upper two percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test that has been properly administered and supervised. There is no other qualification or disqualification for membership eligibility. The term 'IQ score' is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. The result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score 148 on another test. Some intelligence tests don't use IQ scores at all. Mensa has set a percentile as cutoff to avoid this confusion. Candidates for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence (a score that is greater than or equal to that achieved by 98 percent of the general population taking the test). Generally, there are two ways to prove that you qualify for Mensa: either take the Mensa test, or submit a qualifying test score from another test. There are a large number of intelligence tests that are 'approved'. More information on whether a test you have taken is approved, as well as information on the procedure for taking the Mensa test, can be obtained from the nearest Mensa office. There are no on-line tests that can be used for admission to Mensa. Mensa has no other eligibility requirements other than IQ testing. However, many tests are not valid for people under the age of 16. You should contact the nearest Mensa office for more information. How do I get proof of my previous test scores? Contact the testing service that administered the test to you requesting that they send you a report showing your score. Include as much information as you can about yourself and regarding when and where you were tested. If you can't give an exact answer, an approximation is better than nothing. Many testing services charge a fee for sending reports; you should give the service a call before writing them. If your school did testing, write to the school you attended, and ask for a CERTIFIED copy of your score. It must include your birth date, the name of the test, and a clearly defined number, i.e., IQ, or percentile rank nationally. Mensa does not accept achievement tests. The school seal must be stamped on the report. For psychologist/agency testing, have the report sent on professional letterhead, with the psychologist's or agency's license or registration number. Mensa accepts tests given only by those people qualified to do testing privately in the area in which the examiner resides. Date of test, name of test, and full score must be given, and the report must be signed. Any signature-guaranteed or notarized copy of any of the reports will be accepted, other non-verifiable copies may be rejected. Is there a Mensa test? If you've never taken an IQ test, or don't want to bother with getting official copies of your test scores, then Mensa can test you. You will be put in contact with the local testing coordinator who will tell you about specific testing dates and places. In some countries, a pre-test is available which you can take in the privacy of your home. To find out whether such a test is available in your country, please see National Groups. When you've finished the pre-test, send it back to the address instructed. It will be scored, and you will be notified of the results. If your score is high enough, you'll be invited to take a qualifying supervised test. The pre-test is just for practice; you can't use it to qualify for Mensa even if you score at or above the 98th percentile. Taking a pre-test is not required for admission, however, many people take it simply for the challenge. Feel free to contact Mensa for more information or to arrange testing. More specific information is also available about testing costs for any of the National Groups. If you want to take a practice, on-line test, the Mensa Workout is an intelligence quiz in which you have half an hour to answer 30 questions. When you submit your answers, your test is instantly scored, and you can see how your score measures up. The answers to the questions are provided along with discussion of the answers. The Workout is not an IQ test, and can't be used for qualification to join Mensa. Are there any famous Mensans? Sure! Here are a few . . Geena Davis, actress. Received an Academy Award for her role in 'The Accidental Tourist' and an Academy Award nomination for 'Thelma & Louise'. Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert comic strip seen in over 800 newspapers around the world.. Isaac Asimov, prolific American writer, esteemed for his science fiction and for his popular works in all branches of science. Alan Rachins, plays Douglas Brachman in TV hit 'L.A. Law.' He left the Wharton School of Finance against his father's wishes to pursue an acting career. During the '60s he was in the cast of 'Oh Calcutta,' a highly controversial play where cast members appeared nude on stage. Adrian Cronauer, radio personality and subject for the movie 'Good Morning Vietnam.' Started his radio career at 12 in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, where he hosted a children's amateur hour. Worked as a DJ at various radio stations and in Saigon during the Vietnam War. He is also a lawyer. Cronauer was originally attracted to Mensa because of the work they do for gifted children. Donald E. Peterson, former chairman of Ford Motor Company. Has B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Stanford University. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi (honorary engineering society) and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (natural sciences). During his career at Ford, he was involved in the development of two of Ford's most successful cars--the Mustang and the Maverick--as well as the Mark III and the Fairlane. He is also a high-performance driver, having trained at the school run by retired racing champion Bob Bondurant. Petersen was born on a farm in the Midwest and raised during the Great Depression. Influenced by the hardship and economic instability his family endured, he used his intelligence to pursue a secure life in the corporate environment. Bob Specta, professional domino toppler. As a high school senior, he originated the 'domino toppling' category in the Guinness Book of World Records. He travels internationally doing domino shows and races and has appeared on network TV programs and in commercials. An accomplished athlete, Specta is a veteran of 12 triathlons. Gloria La Roche, Captain and instructor for United Airlines. Product of a dysfunctional home, she used intelligence and perseverance to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Marilyn vos Savant, listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame for having the world's highest recorded I.Q. (228). She is the wife of Robert Jarvik, inventor of the Jarvik 7 artificial heart. She also writes 'Ask Marilyn,' a weekly column that appears nationally in 'Parade' magazine. Henry Milligan, a boxer and a scholar, 1983 National Amateur Heavyweight champion who fought and won against Olympic heavyweight gold medallist Henry Tillman. He once fought Mike Tyson in a televised fight. Milligan recently worked his way through NYU Business School acting in commercials (e.g., for 'Sports Illustrated' sneaker phone promotion). John N. Moore, University of Virginia law professor who specializes in international law. The Kuwaiti Ambassador to the U.S. hired him to help the emirate recover damages inflicted since the August 1990 invasion by Iraq. Mell Lazarus, draws syndicated newspaper comic strips 'Momma' and 'Miss Peach.' President of national Cartoonist Society, he has also published two novels and is now writing his third. Judge Ellen Morphonios, nicknamed 'Maximum Morphonios' for her strict rulings in Florida. Former model and beauty queen (Coconut Harvest Maiden and Miss Southern Florida) and local radio personality, once said she 'enjoyed being a sex symbol.' As a young mother and a legal secretary, she passed a Florida exam that allowed her to enter law school without an undergraduate degree. Patricia Prattis Jennings, pianist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She is the symphony's first black member and has performed internationally. Richard Bolles, author of the world's top selling job-hunting book, 'What Color is Your Parachute?' Revised annually, the book has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for 228 weeks. Bolles has two new books in progress--one on relationships, one on spirituality. He is an ordained Episcopal priest who graduated from Harvard University cum laud with a physics degree. Velma Jeremiah, she is a retired attorney who graduated fourth in her law school class at age 47 and was one of the first women partners in a major Oregon law firm. She is a grandmother, a working standup comic, and past chairwoman of Mensa International. Jean M. Auel, best-selling author of 'Clan of the Cave Bear', 'Valley of Horses', 'The Mammoth Hunters', 'Plains of Passage' and 'The Shelters of Stone'. A former technical writer, she turned her attention to fiction, buttressed by much historical and anthropological research, touring areas she was to write about and teaching herself to make stone-age tools. Richard Buckminster Fuller Sir Clive Sinclair Adam Osborne Alfred Hinds Lucy Irvine Joyce Carol Oates Sir Cyril Burt Janusz Majursky, President of the Polish Film Academy Madsen Pirie, President of the Adam Smith Institute, London Information on this page was taken from the 'Bekannte Mensaner' page of Mensa in Deutschland e.V. (MinD). Copyright (c) 1999-2007 Charlotte/Blue Ridge Mensa The Mensa logo is a registered trademark of Mensa International Limited, all rights reserved. Mensa does not hold any opinion or have, or express, any political or religious views.