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
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Warm up your gray matter this spring with the Mensa Admission Test!
4255 Harlem Road
Amherst, NY 14226
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Test begins: 10:15am
Cost: $60 processing fee
at (716) 949-7629
or testing@wny.us.mensa.org
Walk-ins are welcome, but please
call or email if possible.
The Mensa Admissions Test is composed of 2 tests involving logic and deductive reasoning, and are supervised by a certified Mensa proctor. The cost is $60. 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. Please note that American Mensa cannot test individuals younger than 14 years of age on the test date; however, these prospective members may submit evidence of prior testing to qualify.
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. Also, tests may be cancelled if there have been no sign-ups within 24 hours of the test starting time. If you decide to come to a test but haven't signed up, please check this page before you leave, to make sure the test is still on.
Send a reporter for free!
WNY Mensa would like to invite one of your reporters to take an admission test. It's fun, free, and the experience would make a great public interest story. To promote the public relations efforts of local groups, American Mensa has agreed to waive the processing fee for members of the press who would like to take a test as part of a news article. To learn more, please contact Serena Tabor at (716) 949-7629 or srtraquel64@gmail.com
Testing FAQ
What should I bring to the test?
- A form of photo identification that includes your date of birth.
- Your payment for the test ($60) in the form of cash, a credit card, or check made out to "American Mensa, Ltd." Or you can purchase a testing voucher online and bring the printed voucher to the test as your payment.
- 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.
How long does the test take?
The Mensa Admissions Test (which is actually composed of two tests) takes about 90 minutes to complete.
Can I still take the test if I have problems with vision, hearing, or muscle coordination?
American Mensa's Supervisory Psychologist advises that testing anyone with circumstances that would make it difficult to take a written test is out of our scope. If you have a condition that would require special accommodations, we recommend that you get tested by a private psychologist using a Mensa accepted test. See the section titled "Prior Evidence" above for more information.
Can I take the test more than once?
The Mensa Admissions Test can be taken only once. However, if your score does not get you accepted into Mensa, you have the option of taking a different test. This can be accomplished by getting tested privately by a psychologist using a Mensa accepted test. See the section titled "Prior Evidence" above for more information.
Mensa Practice Test
In preparation for the Mensa Admissions Test, you may want to take the Mensa Practice 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, you will receive your score in the mail or online.
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 (as of 2019, $79 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!