What IQ Do You Need to Be in Mensa?

Co-authored by A.J. Jacobs and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: February 16, 2025 References

If you want to prove your smarts and connect with other people like you, Mensa could be a great group to join. Since you need to take an intelligence test to become a member, you're probably wondering what it takes to pass. While you can get into Mensa by doing well on an IQ test, there are a lot of other ways you can qualify too. We'll answer all your questions about which tests you can take and how well you need to do to be eligible!

Question 1 of 8:

What is the IQ cutoff for Mensa?

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It depends on which IQ test you take, but it’s around 130–150. Your Mensa membership isn’t directly based on your IQ score, but you can still use an approved IQ test to join. If you took the Stanford Binet 5 or the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment, scoring an IQ of 130 is enough to get in. For the Stanford Binet or California Test of Mental Maturity, you’ll need at least 132 on your test. If you’ve taken the Cattell IQ test, you need a minimum IQ score of 148.^{[1]
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- Each test measures IQ differently, so scoring 132 on one test may be the same as scoring 148 on another. That’s why Mensa avoids only using your IQ score when they consider your membership.

Question 2 of 8:

What tests qualify for Mensa?

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You can take a qualifying in-person test given by Mensa members. You’re able to sign up for a test directly through Mensa as long as you take it at one of their test centers. Just search on the Mensa site to find your nearest local branch and check their schedule for when they’re running the next testing session. You can choose to either wait for a group testing day where multiple people take the exam, or schedule a private test session with an administrator. It all just depends on what type of testing environment you prefer best.
- Unfortunately, you cannot qualify for Mensa using an online test you’ve taken at home.
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Certain IQ and cognitive ability tests are also approved by Mensa. The Mensa site lists all of the approved tests and scores you may have already taken, so scroll through them and check if you’ve already qualified. If you’re able to use your outside test, just mail an original or notarized copy of your scores to your local Mensa Admissions office and pay the $40 USD fee. They’ll verify your scores and send you an acceptance letter if you qualify. Some common tests and qualifying scores are:^{[2]
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- Cognitive Abilities Test: composite score of 132
- Differential Ability Scales: GCA 132
- Otis-Gamma Test: IQ 131
- LSAT: 95 percentile ranking
- Henmon-Nelson: 132
- You can find other approved tests and their qualifying scores here: https://www.us.mensa.org/join/testscores/#qualifying-scores.
- Unfortunately, you cannot use composite ACT or SAT scores if you took them after 1989 and 1994 respectively.

Question 3 of 8:

What does a Mensa test look like?

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Mensa tests are confidential, but the practice tests ask logic questions. Mensa doesn’t post or publish copies of their official tests, so the questions you get are different with each exam. However, practice tests and quizzes on the Mensa site ask multiple questions about choosing the next shape or number in a logical sequence.^{[3]
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- You can take free Mensa practice tests here: https://www.mensa.org.au/membership-information/practice-tests/practice-tests.
- You can play the Mensa IQ Challenge quiz game to get an idea of questions that might appear on the admission test. You can find the game here: https://www.mensa.org/public/mensa-iq-challenge.
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A culture fair test asks about how shapes relate to one another. The culture fair test is a nonverbal option that you can choose if you aren’t fluent in English or if you don’t want to take the standard test. It tests if you can determine pattern recognition and the relationships between different figures and shapes. Simply request the culture fair test when you sign up so you’re given the right exam.^{[4]
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- You can only take a culture fair test if you attend a group testing session.

Question 4 of 8:

Is the Mensa test hard?

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The test can be pretty challenging if you aren’t prepared. In order to get into Mensa, you need to answer enough questions correctly to score in the top 2% of the general population. The tests usually start with some easier questions, but they get more difficult as you get further on.^{[5]
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Research source} The test takes around 1–2 hours to finish completely.
- Even though it may seem intimidating, taking your time with each question and double-checking your answers can help you do well.
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You can buy a practice test to get an idea of your final score. Even though the practice test won’t qualify you for a membership, you can get an accurate estimation of how you’ll do on the real exam. The practice test lasts about 30 minutes and you’ll instantly see your score as soon as you finish.^{[6]
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- The practice test costs around $10 USD and can be found here: https://www.us.mensa.org/join/mht/.

Question 5 of 8:

How many times can you take the Mensa test?

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You can take each Mensa test once. Once you take the standard Mensa admissions test, you cannot take it again. You can still ask for a culture fair test if you didn’t pass the initial test, but you only get one shot to take it, so wait until you’re ready.^{[7]
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- Luckily, you can still get into Mensa even if you don’t pass the tests they administer by submitting an approved outside test score.

Question 6 of 8:

How do you get into Mensa?

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If you take the Mensa admission test, your scores will automatically get submitted. If you’re using outside test scores, look on the Mensa website to find the address for your nearest office and then mail an official copy of your scores. You’ll usually hear back within 1 month and receive an acceptance letter with instructions on how to complete your membership online.^{[8]
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Question 7 of 8:

How much does the Mensa IQ test cost?

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If you’re okay taking the Mensa test in the same room as a group of other people, then you can sign up for a cheaper session at $30 USD. If you’d prefer to take your test in a private room with only the administrator, then you’ll have to pay $99 USD.^{[9]
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Question 8 of 8:

What does it cost to join Mensa?

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Mensa memberships cost $79 USD a year. You have to pay dues to Mensa every year if you want to stay a member. When you’re first accepted, you’ll make your first payment with a credit card as soon as you complete signing up. You may pay a cheaper prorated fee if you joined in the middle of the year, but you’ll pay the full dues the following year.^{[10]
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- You can buy a multi-year membership if you don’t want to pay annually.

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If you were previously a Mensa member, you don’t have to resubmit scores or retake an admissions test.^{[11]
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