How to Join

The only qualification for Mensa membership is a score in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. There are two ways to qualify for Mensa: either take the Mensa Admissions Test, or submit prior evidence. If you were previously a member of Mensa and you have let your membership lapse, you do not need to take another test. You can reinstate your membership on the web.

Prior Evidence

If you've already taken the SAT (prior to 2/94), GRE (prior to 10/01), LSAT, or any of a number of other tests, you may already be eligible for Mensa. Click here for a list of qualifying scores from some acceptable tests. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list - Mensa accepts scores from approximately 200 different tests. Click here for complete information on how to find out if a test you have already taken is acceptable, and how to submit your scores.

Mensa Admissions Test

Our Next Testing Session:

Saturday, May 17th
Registration: 1pm
Test: 1:15pm
Southgate Plaza Meeting Room
950-A Union Road, at the corner of Union Rd. and Seneca St., West Seneca
(Go around the side of the building where Dollar Tree is. Go through the entrance labeled 950-A and go up the stairs, then follow the signs to the meeting room.)

The Mensa Admissions Test is composed of 2 tests involving logic and deductive reasoning, and are supervised by a certified Mensa proctor. Together, they take about 2 hours to complete. The cost is $40. Scoring at or above the 98th percentile on either test qualifies you for membership in Mensa. Approximately 60 percent of those who take the test prove to be eligible for membership. If English is not your first language, you can arrange to take a non-language based test.

Sign up for a test

Walk-ins are welcome at our tests, but we strongly encourage you to sign up in advance, to ensure that there is enough space and testing materials for everyone. To sign up, contact our testing coordinator by or call (716) 630-1694, and leave a message on the answering machine including your name and phone number.

What should I bring to the test?

A form of photo identification that includes your date of birth.
Your payment for the test ($40) in the form of cash, a credit card, or check made out to "American Mensa, Ltd."
If you are under 18 years old, you will need to have a parent or guardian arrive with you, to sign a permission form.
You do not need to bring pencils or paper, as these will be provided. If you want to bring your own pencils, make sure they are the #2 kind.

Mensa Home Test

In preparation for the Mensa Admissions Test, you may want to take the Mensa Home Test. Your score on this test will not qualify you for Mensa, but it will give you an idea of how you would do on the Mensa Admissions Test.You can order the test from the American Mensa website. After you have taken the test, mail it back to American Mensa, and you will receive your score in the mail.

Mensa Workout

While you're waiting for your home test to arrive, you may want to try the Mensa Workout. This is a 30 minute online quiz from the Mensa International site. Your score on the quiz will not qualify you for Mensa, but it could also give you an idea of how you would do on the Mensa Admissions Test.

If you score at or above the 98th percentile on the Mensa Admissions Test, or submit acceptable prior evidence, you will soon receive a letter from the national office with an offer of membership. (Due to legal considerations, Mensa only tells candidates whether or not they have qualified, rather than their IQ number.) Once you have filled out a membership form (online or by mail) and paid your dues ($52 per year, or less for multi-year membership plans) you will receive your membership card.

One in fifty people is eligible for Mensa. You might be the one!