What is Mensa, in a nutshell?

Mensa is an international society open to anyone who scores in the top 2 per cent of the population on a supervised IQ test. One in every 50 people could qualify for membership. Mensa currently has over 100,000 members in more than 100 countries around the world.

Mensa was founded in England in 1946, and the Australian branch was formally begun in 1966.

What are Mensa's aims?

Mensa's aims are:

* to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity
* to encourage research into the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence
* to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members

Mensa has no political, religious or ideological affiliations, nor does it entertain any views that could be to the disadvantage of the community.

What is Mensa�s organisational status?

Mensa is a not-for-profit society, supporting its activities through membership fees. National Mensa organisations are directed by Mensa International.

What does Mensa offer?

Mensa offers opportunities to meet people, exchange ideas, enjoy social activities and make new friends at your intellectual level. Mensa members are a diverse group, with a youngest who joined at 3, an oldest who joined at 103, and every economic level, occupation and interest you could imagine.

Where does the name "Mensa" come from?

"Mensa" is not an acronym and is not normally written in all capital letters. "Mensa" is the Latin word for table, chosen because Mensa was established as a "round table" society.