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, Bakersfield's connection to Mensa, and everything you need to know about testing in Bakersfield.

Last Updated: July 2026

The History of Mensa

The Founding: Oxford, England (1946)

Mensa was founded in 1946 at Oxford University in England by two remarkable individuals: Roland Berrill, an Australian barrister, and Dr. Lancelot Ware, a British scientist and lawyer. The two met by chance on a train journey and discovered they shared a common interest in intelligence testing. They decided to form a society for people with high IQs, and the result was Mensa.

The name "Mensa" comes from the Latin word for "table," symbolizing the organization's goal of creating a round-table society where members meet as equals regardless of background, occupation, race, or any other characteristic. The only qualification for membership is intelligence.

The Early Years

Mensa grew slowly at first but steadily gained recognition. By the 1960s, the organization had established chapters in several countries, including the United States. Today, Mensa has grown to over 150,000 members across more than 100 countries, making it the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world.

American Mensa, the U.S. chapter, now boasts over 50,000 members, representing one of the largest national groups within Mensa International.

Mensa's Three Purposes

Mensa has three stated purposes:

• To identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity
• To encourage research into intelligence and its characteristics
• To provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members

Bakersfield’s Connection to Mensa

• Regional membership: Bakersfield residents participate through American Mensa’s geographically assigned local-group system.
• Boundary verification: Use the official local-group finder because chapter boundaries, officers, newsletters, and events can change.
• Testing access: Admission-test sessions depend on proctor availability; prior-evidence submission may be more practical for some residents.
• Private psychologists: Bakersfield providers may administer accepted individually standardized tests when clinically and professionally appropriate.
• Education community: CSUB, Bakersfield College, schools, healthcare, energy, agriculture, aerospace, and professional sectors contribute potential members.
• Travel: Members may attend events elsewhere in Central or Southern California according to event rules.
• Online participation: National and special-interest groups allow participation beyond local in-person meetings.
• No public count: There is no authoritative published number of Mensa members living in Bakersfield.

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 Bakersfield

Bakersfield applicants can qualify through an American Mensa admission test or accepted prior evidence. The current national rules—not a local website or provider promise—control accepted tests, scores, documentation, and age restrictions.

Mensa Membership in the Bakersfield Area

• Geographic assignment: American Mensa assigns members to local groups based on residence.
• Local newsletter: Availability and publication schedule depend on the assigned group.
• Regional gatherings: Members may travel to Los Angeles, the Central Coast, or other California events where permitted.
• Special Interest Groups: National SIGs cover science, games, writing, technology, careers, parenting, and many other topics.
• Young Mensans: Family and youth programming follows national and local safeguarding rules.
• Annual Gathering: National events combine speakers, games, workshops, social activities, and youth programming.
• Membership privacy: American Mensa does not publish a city resident list.
• Renewal and eligibility: Fees, benefits, and procedures should be confirmed with American Mensa.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Bakersfield?

• Adults seeking community: Residents interested in intellectual, social, gaming, or special-interest activities.
• Students: College or graduate students with accepted prior scores or interest in admission testing.
• Professionals: Healthcare, education, energy, engineering, agriculture, logistics, government, technology, and business workers.
• Retirees: Adults seeking lifelong learning and social connection.
• Parents of gifted children: May explore Young Mensan options after confirming child eligibility and fit.
• Prior-test holders: People with school, military, college, or psychologist records that may satisfy current rules.
• Private-test clients: Individuals already completing WAIS or Stanford-Binet testing for a legitimate referral.
• Important limit: Mensa testing does not diagnose ADHD, learning disability, autism, dementia, or mental illness.

Bakersfield-Area Mensa Events

• Local meetings: Depend on the assigned group’s current calendar and volunteer activity.
• Games: Board games, puzzles, trivia, and strategy events are common Mensa formats.
• Speaker programs: Topics may include science, technology, arts, public policy, history, and member interests.
• Dining and social events: Locations and accessibility vary.
• Young Mensan activities: Require age-appropriate supervision and current local availability.
• Regional gatherings: California groups may host larger weekend events.
• Online events: Useful when Bakersfield travel distances or schedules limit participation.
• Special-interest groups: Many operate nationally rather than through one city chapter.
• Verification: Use official calendars; do not rely on old event listings.
• Accessibility: Ask about mobility, sensory, dietary, and communication accommodations before attending.

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 SAS 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 Bakersfield. 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