Mensa is an international organization for people whose IQ falls in the top 2% of the population on one of a group of recognized tests. American Mensa has close to 50,000 members; worldwide, membership is over 100,000. Although Mensa was designed primarily as a social organization, volunteer opportunities exist for service to the community at large. Gatherings are held on a regular basis by local chapters, augmented by Regional Gatherings and the Annual Gathering.
In April of 2009, it was announced Elise Tan Roberts, a two-year-old child, would become the youngest member of Mensa with an IQ level of 156.BBC NEWS: Two-year-old Becomes Mensa Member (April 30, 2009)
Famous Members
- Geena Davis, actress
- Donald Peterson, former Ford chairman
- Alan Rachins, L.A. Law actor
- Adrian Cronauer, radio personality
- Marilyn Vos Savant, highest recorded IQ, 228
- Henry Milligan, boxer and scholar
- Mell Lazarus, comic strip artist
- Jean Auel, authorFAQ.org: Famous Mensa Members
Featured Video
References
Fast Facts
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United States membership
50,000
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UK and Ireland membership
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Worldwide membership
100,000
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Fact:
American Mensa has 134 Local Groups
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Fact:
Scores are accepted from over 200 different tests; many local groups offer testing opportunities
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Fact:
Each standardized test has its own scoring structure, which means a score of 130 on one test can be equal to a score of 148 on another
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Fact:
The original symbol of membership was the "Little Yellow Map Pin," worn in the lapel
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Youngest Mensa member
Elise Tan Roberts, joined at age 2 years, 2 months
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Previous youngest member
