Mensa test FAQs:

Can I take the Mensa test?
The Mensa Admission Test can be taken by anyone aged 14 or older.

My son/daughter is under 14. Does that mean they can’t join Mensa?
Not at all. Although candidates under 14 can’t take the Mensa Admission Test, they can still submit the results of another IQ test in order to gain admission. Mensa accepts over 200 different tests for admission. A partial list and their corresponding scores can be found at www.us.mensa.org/joinmensa.

Can I study for the test?
Since this is an IQ test, studying probably won’t help much. To do your best, you should simply relax, study vocabulary and simple math skills, and go into the test with an open mind.

Relax? That’s the best advice you’ve got? Relax?!?
Well, since you insist, Mensa does offer the Mensa Home Test, which is similar in format to the real test. If you have not had experience with a testing situation recently, you may find that the Home Test provides practice and confidence. You can obtain the Mensa Home Test on American Mensa’s web site (www.us.mensa.org).

How much does the test cost? What forms of payment are accepted?
The test costs $30, payable via Visa or Mastercard or advance check. No cash! No other credit cards accepted! If paying by check, the proctor must receive your check at least five days prior to your scheduled testing date. If paying by check, you MUST pre-pay. Because GPM uses space provided by public libraries and community centers, we must honor their policies. In particular, we cannot accept any cash or checks on the day of the test! Therefore, you must either pre-pay by mailing a check to the proctor ahead of time, or bring a Mastercard or Visa credit card number to the test. The credit card information will be passed on to American Mensa, which will process the $30 testing fee when they process your test.

What else do I bring to the test?
Just yourself, proof of ID, and if necessary your credit card info. Pencils and scratch paper will be provided. Please leave any calculators at home. You will not be allowed to use them during the test.

What tests are administered?
Two tests are given at each session: the Wonderlic Personnel Test and the Mensa Admission Test. A prospect takes both but needs to score at or above the 98th percentile on only one of the tests. The lower score of the two tests is ignored.

Wonderlic Personnel Test? Isn’t that the test they give to NFL players?
You bet it is. All college players entering the NFL draft take it.

What happens at a Mensa test day?
For this example, assume that test registration starts at 10:00am, and that the testing begins at 10:30am. When you arrive, you’ll be given a pencil and a Candidate Information Sheet to be sent in with your tests. This is where you give the address you want the results sent to, and provide the credit card number, if applicable. You’ll bring the sheet to the proctor, who’ll check your ID and make sure that, if you haven’t pre-paid, you’ve provided your credit card number. During this time, you’ll have lots of opportunity to ask any questions you might have about Greater Phoenix Mensa or Mensa in general. The first test, the Wonderlic, will start promptly at 10:30am. This test takes only 12 minutes, after which there will be a short break. After the break, you’ll take the Mensa Admission Test, which should take about 60 minutes. Assuming there are no major catastrophes, you will be done by noon.

When do I get the results? Will I find out my IQ?
You should expect to receive your results two to three weeks after you’ve tested. You will get a letter indicating whether you have qualified for admission or not. In any case, you will not find out your IQ score, only whether or not you have qualified.

Does “the top 2%” mean only 2% of people pass?
Actually, roughly 65% of those who take the test qualify for admission to Mensa. They will have scored at or above the 98th percentile on an IQ test, as compared to the general population.