Mensa is the world's oldest and largest high-IQ society, welcoming individuals who score in the top 2% of the population on a standardized intelligence test. This comprehensive guide covers the history of Mensa, membership requirements, Arlington's connection to Mensa, and everything you need to know about testing in Arlington.

Last Updated: August 2026

The History of Mensa

The Founding: Oxford, England (1946)

Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware. The name comes from the Latin word for “table,” reflecting the concept of members meeting as equals. Membership is based on qualifying performance on an accepted standardized intelligence test.

The Early Years

The organization expanded internationally and developed national groups, local chapters, publications, scholarship programs, gifted-youth resources, special-interest groups, and social events. American Mensa is the U.S. national organization.

Mensa's Three Purposes

• Identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
• Encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence.
• Provide an intellectual and social environment for members.

Arlington's Connection to Mensa

Arlington residents participate in the broader Texas Mensa community. American Mensa lists several Texas local groups, including Dallas–Fort Worth-area and other regional Texas local groups. Because boundaries and member assignments can change, applicants should use American Mensa’s current directory or member profile rather than assuming a local group from a mailing address.

Mensa Qualifying Scores

To qualify for Mensa, you must score at or above the 98th percentile on an approved standardized intelligence test. This means performing better than 98 out of every 100 people who take the same test.

Qualifying Scores by Test

Note that different tests use different standard deviations, which is why the qualifying scores vary. The consistent requirement is the 98th percentile.

Mensa in Arlington

Mensa Membership in North Texas

Arlington residents are within the North Texas Mensa community. American Mensa’s national history also includes a period when its headquarters operated in Arlington; the current National Office is in nearby Hurst.

• Local group: North Texas Mensa organizes social, educational, family, and special-interest activities across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
• National office: The Hurst office supports members, local groups, testing administration, volunteers, and the Mensa Foundation.
• Admission standard: Applicants generally need qualifying evidence at or above the 98th percentile on an accepted test.
• No citywide count: Mensa does not publish a reliable Arlington-only membership total.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Arlington?

• Adults seeking admission: Applicants may take a Mensa-administered test or submit accepted prior evidence.
• People needing a clinical profile: A psychologist-administered WAIS or Stanford-Binet may be more appropriate when the person also needs diagnostic interpretation or a written report.
• Students: Some school-administered or college-admission scores may qualify when the test, date, percentile, and documentation meet current Mensa rules.
• Children: Families should review Mensa’s current age and evidence rules and avoid promising admission based on practice-test scores.
• Retesting: Prior exposure, practice effects, and edition rules should be disclosed to the examiner.

Arlington Mensa Events

• North Texas activities: Events may include meals, games, lectures, family gatherings, gifted-youth activities, and special-interest meetings.
• Regional access: Arlington’s central Metroplex location provides access to events in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and surrounding counties.
• National events: American Mensa gatherings and Foundation programs are separate from clinical testing services.
• Verification: Event calendars, testing dates, fees, age restrictions, and documentation rules should be confirmed directly with Mensa.

Accepted Tests for Mensa Qualification

American Mensa accepts scores from approximately 200 different standardized intelligence tests. Tests must be administered by a neutral and qualified third party in a traditional testing environment.

Tests Commonly Administered by Psychologists

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) – FSIQ 130
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) – FSIQ 130
• Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales – IQ 130-132 (depending on version)
• Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales – IQ 130
• Differential Ability Scales (DAS) – GCA 130-132

Tests Administered by Schools

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) – Composite Lockheed Martin 132
• Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) – Total SAI 132
• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) – Nonverbal Ability Index Score 130-132
• Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities – IQ 131-132

College Preparatory Tests

• SAT (pre-1994) – Combined Verbal & Math 1250+
• GRE (pre-2001) – Combined Verbal & Quantitative 1250+
• ACT (pre-September 1989) – Composite 29+

The Mensa Testing Process

Two Ways to Qualify

There are two primary pathways to Mensa membership:

1. Take the Mensa Admission Test: A supervised test administered by Mensa proctors
2. Submit prior evidence: If you've already taken an approved test and scored at the 98th percentile, you can submit those scores

The Mensa Admission Test

The Mensa Admission Test is administered in supervised sessions held in cities nationwide, including Arlington. Key details:

• Duration: 1-2 hours total
• Format: Two separate timed tests (the Wonderlic and Culture Fair tests)
• Qualifying: You only need to qualify on one of the two tests
• Cost: Approximately $40 for the test
• Retake policy: You can retake the test once every eight weeks

What the Mensa Admission Test Measures

• Pattern recognition – Identifying sequences and relationships
• Logical reasoning – Deductive and inductive thinking
• Spatial visualization – Mental manipulation of objects
• Problem-solving – Complex reasoning under time pressure

Important: The Test is for Admission Only

The Mensa Admission Test is specifically designed for admission to Mensa and does not provide a detailed IQ score or report. You will only be notified whether you qualified for membership. If you want a detailed IQ report with index scores, you should take a professionally administered test like WAIS-IV or SB-5 with a licensed psychologist.

Frequently Asked Questions