Do you have the Mind to join Mensa? Options

[Onfire]

[u]To Join you must have a High IQ level
You must have an iq level of around 140
Average is 110



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 (a score that is greater than or equal to 98 percent of the general population taking the test) on a standard test of intelligence.

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. Feel free to contact Mensa for specific details about eligibility.

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.

[Hey Hey]

IQ and therefore I wait. Wasn't that an Einstein schooldays quote? There is more to IQ than people (hence your examples of truck drivers and the like) and there is more to people than IQ (what would we do without truck drivers and the like?). My own seems steady around 139 recently, so I can't cut it with respect to mensa. It is one of the most dire of all appraisal methodologies, as people feel so put down if their IQ doesn't come up to expectations. I wonder what the IQ of Renoir or Shakespeare would have been? Do we have a figure for George Bush? And does 140 mean you could saw dovetail joints or plaster a wall?

[maximus242]

First of all the accuracy of IQ tests is a highly debated subject and second of all, success has shown to have a lot less to do with IQ than it does with confidence and determination (eg, Test scores in high school showed self confidence affects scores more than your IQ) I should still take an IQ test sometime, just for the hell of it

[rhymer]

Last time I played the IQ game I came up with 138.

I don't think there's anything odd about that number!
Mind you, I suppose half of it is odd.

[Onfire]

Last time I played the IQ game I came up with 138.

I don't think there's anything odd about that number!
Mind you, I suppose half of it is odd.

Hey your 2 points away from genius!

Dont be so down you guys, there is so many ways to raise your IQ level.
From smart drugs to diet,Hemi-sync, Binuarals, meditation, ect
I raise my 10+ in one year withouth even trying that hard

But IQ test only measure a certain intelligence it doesnt test on creativity, and others intelligence as well.
so what you get on a test online is not really your whole intelligence at work.

[Hey Hey]

Last time I played the IQ game I came up with 138.

I don't think there's anything odd about that number!
Mind you, I suppose half of it is odd.

Hey your 2 points away from genius!

Dont be so down you guys, there is so many ways to raise your IQ level.
From smart drugs to diet,Hemi-sync, Binuarals, meditation, ect
I raise my 10+ in one year withouth even trying that hard

But IQ test only measure a certain intelligence it doesnt test on creativity, and others intelligence as well.
so what you get on a test online is not really your whole intelligence at work.

Two points, one point, half a point away..... it's still not genius! rhymer will have to be satisfied at being just pretty bloody clever. And you know what genius is next to, so who wants to be it anyway? (There was never a genius without a tincture of madness. -- Aristotle [384-322])

[Onfire]

[/quote]

Two points, one point, half a point away..... it's still not genius! rhymer will have to be satisfied at being just pretty bloody clever. And you know what genius is next to, so who wants to be it anyway? (There was never a genius without a tincture of madness. -- Aristotle [384-322])
[/quote]



What does genius mean to you?
isnt within everyone grasp?
you can always be better and better
increasing self-esteem, confidence(Good one)
sucess, almost everything about yourself can be modifed
to become more better than your now state.
thats the gift of being humam

[Hey Hey]

What does genius mean to you?
isnt within everyone grasp?
you can always be better and better
increasing self-esteem, confidence(Good one)
sucess, almost everything about yourself can be modifed
to become more better than your now state.
thats the gift of being humam

tell the rest of the world, not me! i've been trying for years. but i think that many people on this forum have a quest for self development, don't you?

[Onfire]

YES!

i think everyone wants to become really smart really quick
and thats good you just have to find ways to become smart
its not easy but all the information is there.

- people get old too quick and smart too late-Sweddish proverb

[Hey Hey]

YES!

i think everyone wants to become really smart really quick
and thats good you just have to find ways to become smart
its not easy but all the information is there.

- people get old too quick and smart too late-Sweddish proverb

hey, and then finally the prions take any smartness you acquired, or Dr. Alois Alzheimer's favourite disease.

[Meklo]

According to the IQ tests I have done, my IQ ranges from 128 up to 140. Personally, I'm of the opinion that IQ tests are only really a measure of how good you are at doing IQ tests.

I did that Mensa test, and it said I would pass the test if I did it for real (I scored 28).

[Onfire]

According to the IQ tests I have done, my IQ ranges from 128 up to 140. Personally, I'm of the opinion that IQ tests are only really a measure of how good you are at doing IQ tests.

I did that Mensa test, and it said I would pass the test if I did it for real (I scored 28).

the test online is not to a qualification to get into mensa you must take a test where they are in control
of the environment of the testing. because you can find the answers online when you take the one avaliable
on the internet

[lucid_dream]

Mensa is a way for people of moderately-high IQ to compensate for not living up to their potential. It's quite pathetic really.

[Onfire]

Mensa is a way for people of moderately-high IQ to compensate for not living up to their potential. It's quite pathetic really.

What is your iq?
what do you really know about lucid dream?
have you mastered this ability?

[lucid_dream]

>What is your iq?

I won't say, but will say that a few years back, out of curiousity, I joined Mensa for a year but did not renew my membership because I came to the conclusion that the organization is a joke.

>what do you really know about lucid dream?
>have you mastered this ability?

yes

[nickolai]

>What is your iq?

I won't say, but will say that a few years back, out of curiousity, I joined Mensa for a year but did not renew my membership because I came to the conclusion that the organization is a joke.

>what do you really know about lucid dream?
>have you mastered this ability?

yes

lucid_dream is absolutely correct. Mensa is full of a bunch of crotchety old men with nothing better to do then get together two Saturdays a month for breakfast and talk about the old days. It's totally lame for anyone under 50 or so. I did the same thing as lucid_dream really...I became a member for one year and then never renewed my membership. I assume this happens a lot, because Mensa charges full price for the first year, then prorates your renewal dues. I really only took the test to see if I would pass or not. Previous to this my last IQ test was done in the 4th grade. All I wanted to say here was, take the test if you would like - the cost is minimal and you don't have to become a member if you do not want to. They'll send you an acceptance letter if you do score in the top 2% of the population, then you can just avoid joining Mensa because you don't get much for the membership fee except a lame national bulletin and even more lame local one.

[Culture]

According to the IQ tests I have done, my IQ ranges from 128 up to 140. Personally, I'm of the opinion that IQ tests are only really a measure of how good you are at doing IQ tests.

I did that Mensa test, and it said I would pass the test if I did it for real (I scored 28).

the test online is not to a qualification to get into mensa you must take a test where they are in control
of the environment of the testing. because you can find the answers online when you take the one avaliable
on the internet

I have been a member for the past 14 years. Regardless of the accuracy of the test, one cannot deny the networking benefits with others who are intelligent. The obvious and probably the least favourite aspect for me is the 'elitism' and stigma attached to it. That said it has opened many doors for me.

Just take the test and if youre in well you are better off than before.

[Rick]

Just take the test and if youre in well you are better off than before.

I wouldn't join because the fact that I had been a member at one time of an elitist organization could work against me in public life.

[Culture]

Mensa is a way for people of moderately-high IQ to compensate for not living up to their potential. It's quite pathetic really.

Perhaps thats a bit of a sweeping statement Lucid. If anything my exposure to "some" of the members has had a strong influence on me to supercede my potential. As things stand right now I feel more than satisfied in achieving my potential.

[lucid_dream]

Culture, it was not meant as a sweeping statement, only my overall impression. And their newsletter only reconfirmed what I already knew, that I have a very low tolerance for superficiality, particularly when it's ineptly disguised as witty or otherwise worthwhile conversation. Mensa is powerless as an organization. Please tell me, what have they actually done? Nothing but create a bubble for banal member-based fantasies and verbiage.

[OnlyNow]

I'm not joining because I'm too stupid.

[rhymer]

I suspect that the best measure of intelligence in a person is when other others say, 'by gum gum he is understanding (knowledeable, clever etc)'.

I certainly believe I can recognise intelligence when I see it.
It may be in one skill area or cover a broad base, but in reality no number can define it meaningfully.
It will remain a yardstick!

[Culture]

Culture, it was not meant as a sweeping statement, only my overall impression. And their newsletter only reconfirmed what I already knew, that I have a very low tolerance for superficiality, particularly when it's ineptly disguised as witty or otherwise worthwhile conversation. Mensa is powerless as an organization. Please tell me, what have they actually done? Nothing but create a bubble for banal member-based fantasies and verbiage.

I have to agree that MENSA as an organisation does not do much. Solve very few problems.
This does not mean that Mensa members do not take things into their own hands. A few members and
myself (total 30) have worked collectively in developing countries for the past 10 years and focused on education development/research within universities. Although this was not a Mensa initiative, it did bring a group of us together.

In am of the mind that the members who do not contribute to society in a constructive manner and use this
so called 'genius' capability are useless.

[nickolai]

Culture, it was not meant as a sweeping statement, only my overall impression. And their newsletter only reconfirmed what I already knew, that I have a very low tolerance for superficiality, particularly when it's ineptly disguised as witty or otherwise worthwhile conversation. Mensa is powerless as an organization. Please tell me, what have they actually done? Nothing but create a bubble for banal member-based fantasies and verbiage.

I have to agree that MENSA as an organisation does not do much. Solve very few problems.
This does not mean that Mensa members do not take things into their own hands. A few members and
myself (total 30) have worked collectively in developing countries for the past 10 years and focused on education development/research within universities. Although this was not a Mensa initiative, it did bring a group of us together.

In am of the mind that the members who do not contribute to society in a constructive manner and use this
so called 'genius' capability are useless.

And you know, if Mensa did organize things like this I would have more respect for them. As a member, when I checked out the events calendar the only thing I saw was lame get togethers at hotels, where people did puzzles and crap like that...I mean come on, do something worth while. After I finish med school, I hope to join a practice with other like-minded individuals where volunteering in Africa or other desolate areas 1 month out of every 4-6 months will be the norm. Because I agree with the above poster...if you are blessed with the abilities of intelligence and opportunity you have an obligation to give back.

Don't take that as me saying my life has been full of easy times. I will be the only person in my extended family to go to college except my father, but the first to go into post-bachelor work. I left school multiple times and I was 27 before I finished my bachelors. I am gettin off base, I apologize.

[Lindsay]

name='nickolai' date='Aug 12, 06:15 AM' post='68613'

I have to agree that MENSA as an organisation does not do much. Solve very few problems....

In am of the mind that the members who do not contribute to society in a constructive manner and use this
so called 'genius' capability are useless.

And you know, if Mensa did organize things like this I would have more respect for them...if you are blessed with the abilities of intelligence and opportunity you have an obligation to give back....I am gettin off base, I apologize.

No need to apologize. I believe that there is such a thing as EQ--emotional quotient.
I am also of the opinion that being fully functioning human beings involves having a SQ--a spiritual quotient.
Computers, as I uderstand them, are very intelligent--whatever that means; but are they "beings" who know they know? Do they have emotional powers? Or the power to direct them lovingly, or otherwise?

[Culture]

No need to apologize. I believe that there is such a thing as EQ--emotional quotient.
I am also of the opinion that being fully functioning human beings involves having a SQ--a spiritual quotient.
Computers, as I uderstand them, are very intelligent--whatever that means; but are they "beings" who know they know? Do they have emotional powers? Or the power to direct them lovingly, or otherwise?

What do you mean by fully functional?

I am curious on why/how you would consider a person with "SQ" more fully functional than those without
religion/spiritual quotient?

[lucid_dream]

IQ, EQ, SQ, what it comes down to is values. We all have different sets of values and it is impossible to use logic or reason to exalt one set over another. There is no right or wrong sets of values. It is the power to enforce and realize those values that matters. Some people believe spirituality is very important, others don't. Who's right? No-one. But what matters is, who has the force to materialize their values and give them a life of their own. We see the results of values colliding everyday, and is very prominent on the world stage in many guises. Again, there is no right and wrong; just different perspectives fueled by different values. The question is, which values will prevail down the road, or whether there will always be this clash of values.

You wonder why the sciences have progressed so much over the centuries whereas human morality has more or less remain unchanged? Why is that? Because the sciences advance by logic and observation whereas human morality only reflects a clash of wills.

[Lindsay]

All good points, LD.

However, for the sake of dialogue I will say that spiritually-based Love--the best translation I know for the Greek term, agape, used 140 times in the original Greek New Testament--is the highest good.
When I say I offer you "agape"--love without conditions--it means that I am willing to treat you in a way that is mutually agreeable to both of us.

[Lindsay]

What do you mean by fully functional?

I am curious on why/how you would consider a person with "SQ" more fully functional than those without religion/spiritual quotient?

Thanks for your questions, Culture. They are helping me rethink ideas and concepts with which I have been concerned from the moment I came to conscious awareness of self, which some call the mind, or the soul. I call it the human spirit. The Greek term is "pneuma"--from the Greek for air, wind, breath.

The Greeks, also, acknowledged the reality of the soma--the physical body; and the psyche--the mind. In my opinion, all three categories--SOMATOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY AND PNEUMATOLOGY--are worthy of study.
Perhaps, this is a good place for me to add: Recently, I have been thinking about what it means to me to think of myself as a fully-functioning human being. Which I hope I am. As a result of this thinking, the following thought came to me: IMO, we human beings appear to be a special specie of animal who happen to be gifted--some would say, cursed--with the mysterious ability to think, consciously, about what life has to offer, physically (somatologically), mentally (psychologically) and spiritually (pneumatologically).

Furthermore, depending on how we have been affected by our heredity or environment, we seem to be free to choose what kind of animal we are, wish to be, and will to be. So I can ask myself: Shall I be a moral, immoral, or amoral being?

As a fully-functioning human being I have the power to ask myself: In the face of, circumstances, trying and otherwise, do I choose to be gentle, helpful and progressive? Or do I give in to how I feel, physically and mentally, and actually choose and allow myself to be selfish, aggressive and vicious.

In my opinion, it seems that animal beings and psychopathic "human-like" beings seem to have no choice. As Mark Twain put it: "Human beings are the only animals who blush; or need to!"

BTW, Culture, you know a lot about me and what I think about the nature, function and mystery body, mind and spirit. Tell us about your journey.

[Lindsay]

The colours of a fully-functioning human being:

SOMATOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
PNEUMATOLOGY

Under the earth, and under the skin, is red;
In the sky, the sun is a golden yellow;
And the sky is blue.

Combine all the colours, above, and you have the basic spectrum.
Combine them, electronically, and you have sunlight.