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

Last Updated: August 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

Bridgeport's Connection to Mensa

Bridgeport is within the area served by Southern Connecticut Mensa, a local group of American Mensa. The city's schools, colleges, technology and professional workforce, arts organizations, libraries, and international population create many opportunities for intellectual and social activity, but Mensa membership depends only on accepted evidence at or above the required percentile—not occupation, education, income, or city of residence.

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 Bridgeport

Southern Connecticut Mensa

Southern Connecticut Mensa is the American Mensa local group serving Fairfield County, and its own site identifies Bridgeport as the county seat and the Bridgeport–Stamford area as the major metro area. Residents should use official American Mensa channels to confirm current testing options, prior-evidence rules, membership procedures, and event access.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Bridgeport?

Test takers include adults seeking intellectual community, students and professionals curious about eligibility, and people submitting earlier school or clinical scores. For younger applicants, American Mensa may rely on prior evidence rather than the standard admission test; verify current age rules directly.

Southern Connecticut Mensa Events

Regional programming may include discussions, games, lectures, meals, outings, special-interest groups, online events, and gifted-youth activities. Calendars and access rules change, so verify details through Southern Connecticut Mensa and American 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 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 scheduled by American Mensa and local groups. Bridgeport residents should check Southern Connecticut Mensa and American Mensa listings for the nearest current session. 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