Breaking into Mensa: Tips for Aspiring Members

How to get into Mensa

Want to join Mensa but you’re unsure whether you can pass the entrance exam? With the right guidance and preparation, you can confidently tackle the Mensa entrance exam and secure your place among the intellectual elite. Read on to discover some strategies to practice and guarantee an entrance into Mensa!

Mensa is a prestigious international high IQ society that provides a forum for intellectual exchange among its members. Established in 1946, Mensa’s primary purpose is to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity. Membership is open to individuals who score in the top 2% of the population on an approved intelligence test. With a global network of over 140,000 members in more than 100 countries, Mensa offers opportunities for social interaction, cultural exchange, and intellectual growth through a variety of events, publications, and special interest groups. Joining Mensa is not only a recognition of one’s cognitive abilities but also a chance to engage with a diverse and vibrant community of thinkers and problem solvers.

Joining Mensa offers a variety of benefits that extend beyond the recognition of high intelligence. Here are some of the key advantages:

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse and global network of professionals from various fields, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Access to Exclusive Events: Attend local, national, and international gatherings, conferences, and social events designed to foster intellectual and social interaction.
  • Special Interest Groups: Join a wide range of special interest groups (SIGs) focused on specific topics or hobbies, allowing members to delve deeper into their passions and connect with others who share similar interests.
  • Publications and Resources: Receive access to Mensa’s publications, including journals and newsletters, which feature articles on a variety of topics, puzzles, and intellectual challenges.
  • Educational and Scholarship Opportunities: Take advantage of scholarships, educational programs, and grants offered by Mensa to support academic and professional development.
  • Community and Support: Become part of a supportive community that values intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning. Mensa members often find camaraderie and encouragement from fellow members.
  • Recognition and Prestige: Membership in Mensa is a mark of high intellectual capability and can be a notable addition to your resume or CV, enhancing your professional profile.

Mensa requires a score on a proctored test above an IQ score of 130, which falls in the 98 percentile. However, scoring 130 IQ on a proctored test, is not a simple matter, as IQ tests follow rigorous standards that are said to be notoriously difficult to train. Furthermore, the test proctored by Mensa is one that isn’t disclosed to its aspiring members until test day, making it much harder to train. However, there is a way: Mensa accepts a wide variety of test scores, including scores from tests such as the Classic SAT, Classic GRE, and AGCT, all of which are offered on our site. Scoring 130 on these tests will guarantee you similar success on the Mensa entry exam and an entry into one of the most prestigious high intelligence societies in America. Read on to learn how you can practice and gain the skills necessary to score the required 130 for Mensa entry. 

Breaking down the AGCT

The Army General Classification Test (AGCT) is the predecessor to the AFQT and boasts an accuracy on par with professional tests like the Stanford Binet and Weschler. This 40 minute comprehensive test has 150 questions and tests you on your abstract thinking and crystallized knowledge. There are three types of questions and you are expected to answer them quickly and accurately to ensure a high score. Below, we will comprehensively review each question type and explanations on how to approach them.

Reading Comprehension (Synonyms)

1. The men did not MALTREAT the prisoners

Answer: 

  1. feed
  2. abuse
  3. enjoin
  4. exercise

The (B) answer is the right one, because the word “abuse” means practically the same thing as the Word MALTREAT. The word “feed” would not work, as it does not align with the word Maltreat, as neither does “exercise”. “Enjoin” means to “instruct or urge (someone) to do something”, which is missing the negative connotations of “Maltreat”.

2. Smith ATTAINED the grade of sergeant

Answer:

  1. wanted
  2. failed
  3. kept
  4. reached

The (D) answer is the right one for this question, because the word “reached” most nearly means the same thing as ATTAINED. Notice that it is necessary to read all four choices. You are to choose the best answer, not just a possible answer. Since the (D) answer is the best one for question number 2, mark the dotted lines labeled D at the right of number 2 on the answer sheet.

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning problems are officially recognized under the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Intelligence under the Quantitative Reasoning Index. Mathematical substitution is a technique which involves solving problems in terms of other problems. While many people may not excel in algebra early on, mastering these substitution skills can significantly improve performance on Mensa-approved IQ tests. The most essential skill is learning how to identify where the problem is and what it is asking. These tests not only test you on your Quantitative Reasoning, but as well as your question comprehension and your application of crystallized knowledge.

1. Yesterday, Company A received 102 letters. Today, the company received 120 letters in the mail and 50 more in the second mail. How many letters were received altogether?

Answer:

  1. 250
  2. 230
  3. 272
  4. 105

Upon reading this question, you must first identify what the question is asking for. It is asking for the total number of letters received, given by the word “altogether”. Now knowing this, we can check what the sum of 102, 120 and 50 is, which should return 272. Make sure to double check your answers, as even a minor error can result in a loss of crucial points.

2. The scale on a map reads 1 inch = 9 miles. How great a distance is represented by a line 7 inches long on the map?

Answer:

  1. 63 miles
  2. 16 miles
  3. 70 miles
  4. 17 miles

Once again, we must identify what the question is requesting. It wants us to convert 7 inches into miles using the given scale. One approach is to redefine the problem in algebraic terms, with inch = x and miles = y. Now rewriting it, we get the question as, x = 9y, 7x = ?y. Through algebraic substitution, we get 7(9y) = 7 x 9 = 63y. Reverting back the algebraic terms, we get 63 miles as the final answer. 

Visual Abstraction

Visual abstraction problems often trip up even those with high IQs because they require a keen eye for detail and an understanding of subtle differences. For instance, consider a Mensa test problem where you’re asked to observe the movement of a clock’s hand. Many people may not notice a tiny pixel difference in how far the hand has moved between two different answers.

To succeed in visual abstraction tests, it’s crucial to practice and become familiar with these types of problems. By paying close attention to detail and understanding common tricks and caveats, you can significantly improve your performance.

1. How many boxes?

Answer:

  1. 4
  2. 2
  3. 5
  4. 3

Since gravity is a force, we cannot assume boxes can magically float. Furthermore, another common fact that is overlooked is that all boxes MUST be the same. By employing these two rules, we can demystify these box problems and help take a common approach for it. There are 4 boxes, as there must be a hidden fourth box underneath the top block in order to support the block. 

2. How many boxes?

Answer:

  1. 2
  2. 5
  3. 4
  4. 3

Using the two rules we discussed above, we can count two blocks on the top row and three blocks on the bottom for a total of five. There must be a fifth block at the bottom-back in order to support the weight of the block above it.

3. How many boxes?

Answer:

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
  4. 5

Since all blocks are the same size, this means that the block on top cannot be floating, as it is of similar size to the blocks around it. Using this logic, the answer must be four, as there is a block underneath it supporting its weight. 

4. How many boxes?

Answer:

  1. 5
  2. 4
  3. 3
  4. 6

Looking at the width of the blocks compared to its height, we can see it is approximately half of its height. Using this, we can count there are four blocks, as there must be two blocks back-to-back underneath the top block, and counting the top block and the side block, this makes for four total blocks. 

By keeping in mind the following two rules: gravity dictates blocks must be supported underneath and all blocks are the same size, we can approach the visual-spatial questions on the AGCT with a level plan

Conclusion

Achieving membership in Mensa or any high IQ society is not only a testament to one’s intellectual capabilities but also a reflection of dedication and strategic preparation. By diligently practicing on officially Mensa-verified tests, individuals can significantly improve their cognitive skills, particularly in crucial areas like reading comprehension, mathematical substitution, and visual abstraction. These areas are foundational for excelling in IQ tests and broader cognitive tasks.

The concept of far transfer plays a pivotal role in this preparation. Far transfer is a concept in cognitive psychology and education that refers to the ability to apply knowledge or skills learned in one context to a different, often more complex and unfamiliar, context. It contrasts with near transfer, where the knowledge or skills are applied to a similar and closely related context. By engaging in diverse and challenging practice tests such as the AGCT, Classic SAT, and GRE, you can develop a robust skill set that transcends specific test formats and questions. This broader cognitive flexibility allows you to adapt and apply your honed skills to the Mensa in-person admission test and other high-stakes cognitive assessments. If you can score 140+ IQ on those three tests, you are sure to score well on the Mensa admissions test! 

Further, the process of training for Mensa tests goes beyond merely improving test scores. It fosters a deeper understanding and application of cognitive skills in varied contexts, which can enhance problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and adaptive learning in everyday life. The commitment to regular practice, coupled with a focus on far transfer, ensures that the skills you develop are not just test-specific but also universally applicable to new and complex situations.

Ultimately, the journey to joining Mensa is as rewarding as the destination. The rigorous preparation and the cultivation of far transfer abilities can open up new intellectual horizons and opportunities. With consistent practice and a strategic approach, aspiring members can enhance their cognitive abilities, increase their IQ test scores, and achieve the esteemed recognition that comes with a Mensa membership. The path may be challenging, but with dedication and the right techniques, breaking into Mensa is not only a feasible goal but a highly rewarding one that can lead to lifelong benefits.