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Getting your IQ Tested - FAQs

How do I qualify for Mensa?  

Membership of 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 for initial membership eligibility.

Generally, there are two ways to prove that you qualify for Mensa: either take a test administered by Mensa, or submit a qualifying test score from another approved test. There are a large number of intelligence tests that are 'approved'. More information on whether a test you have taken (or plan to take) is approved, as well as information on the procedure for taking the Mensa test, can be obtained from your nearest Mensa office.

Please be aware that online tests cannot be used for admission to Mensa. Also, many tests are not valid for people under the age of sixteen. If you have any other queries regarding eligibility or testing in general, please contact Mensa International for further information. 

OK, so I need to get a score in the test which puts me in the top 2% of the population. But how can I find out my IQ score?

The term 'IQ score' is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. A result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score of 148 on another test. Some intelligence tests don't use IQ scores at all. This is why Mensa keeps it simple with a cutoff of 98%: candidates who have achieved a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence will qualify for Mensa. Simple! But getting a straight answer to the question, 'What's my IQ?', may not be so simple! 

How do I get proof of my previous test score(s)?

You need to contact the testing service that administered the test for you, requesting that they send you a report showing your score. Include as much information as you can about yourself, and about 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 testing service a call to find out how much they charge before requesting the report.

If your school administered the IQ test you took, write to them and ask for a CERTIFIED copy of your score. It must include your name, date of birth, the name of the test, and a clearly defined number (i.e., IQ score, or national percentile score). Finally, the school seal must be stamped on the report. N.B.: Please note that Mensa does not accept achievement tests.

For psychologist/agency testing, you should make a request to have the report sent on a professional letterhead, and also ask for the psychologist's or agency's license or registration number to be included. Mensa only accepts tests given by people qualified to carry out testing privately. As well as your personal details, the name, date and full score of the test must be given, and the report must be signed. Any signature-guaranteed or notarized copy of any of the reports will be accepted. N.B.: Please note that non-verifiable copies may be rejected. 

Case A: I've never been tested.  Case B: I have, and I think I did well, but it was a long time ago.  Case C: It's too much hassle to get an official copy of my old test score.

If any of the above cases apply to you, it's probably best if you ask Mensa to test you. It's all very straightforward. You will be put in contact with the local testing coordinator who will tell you where and when you can take a test. Specific information is also available about testing costs for all the national groups.

I'm not sure I'm ready to take it yet. Are there any pre-tests available?

Yes, in some countries, a pre-test is available and you can take it in the privacy and comfort of your own home. To find out whether such a test is available in your country, please contact your nearest Mensa office.

When you've finished the pre-test, return it to the testing centre. When it has been marked, you'll be notified of your result. 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.

My national Mensa doesn't do pre-tests. Which online practice test do you recommend? 

If you want to take a practice test online, why not try the Mensa IQ Challenge on this site? When you submit your answers, your test is instantly scored and you can see how you fared. Please note that, as with the pre-tests mentioned above, the Mensa IQ Challenge is just for practice: it's not an official IQ test, and can't be used for qualification to join Mensa. 

What if I live in a country which doesn't yet have a national Mensa organisation?

If you happen to be resident in a country that doesn’t yet have a national Mensa group, please contact Mensa International for more information about where and when you can get tested.