Mensa Testing in New Orleans
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, New Orleans's connection to Mensa, and everything you need to know about testing in New Orleans.
Last Updated: August 2026
Mensa History
From its founding in 1946 to today – the story of the world's premier high-IQ society.
Qualifying Scores
Complete guide to accepted tests and score requirements for Mensa membership.
Mensa in New Orleans
How many Mensa members are in New Orleans and what the community looks like.
Accepted Tests
Full list of standardized tests accepted by Mensa for membership qualification.
Testing Process
What to expect during the Mensa Admission Test and how to prepare.
Schedule Mensa Testing
Book your Mensa admission test or IQ assessment with a licensed psychologist in New Orleans today.
The History of Mensa
The Founding: Oxford, England (1946)
Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware as a society open to people scoring within the top two percent on an approved intelligence test.
The Early Years
The organization expanded internationally and developed local groups, publications, gatherings, scholarships and special-interest groups.
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 a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members.
New Orleans's Connection to Mensa
- Official local group: New Orleans Mensa is listed by American Mensa as the local chapter for the area.
- Local website: The chapter publishes organizational, testing and activity information.
- Social groups: The local site describes restaurant and happy-hour groups among its activities.
- Regional culture: Members may connect through science, music, games, dining, lectures and other interests.
- Current verification: Event dates, testing sessions and contact details should be checked directly with the chapter.
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 New Orleans
Mensa Membership in New Orleans
- No public city count: American Mensa does not publish a reliable current New Orleans membership total for local SEO use.
- Qualification: Membership generally requires an accepted score at or above the 98th percentile.
- Local group: New Orleans Mensa serves members in the area and operates under American Mensa.
- Privacy: Individual membership and scores are private unless a person chooses to disclose them.
Who Takes the Mensa Test in New Orleans?
- Adults seeking membership: Candidates may take the Mensa admission test or submit prior evidence.
- College and graduate students: Some seek community or personal confirmation, but Mensa scores do not replace admissions requirements.
- Professionals: Healthcare, technology, legal, engineering, maritime, education and creative professionals may be interested.
- Parents of older teens: Age and test restrictions should be checked before scheduling.
- Prior-tested individuals: People with qualifying school or clinical records may submit approved evidence under current rules.
New Orleans Mensa Events
- Local gatherings: The chapter publishes social and interest-group activities.
- Dining groups: Restaurant activities are specifically described by the local group.
- Happy-hour group: The local site also describes a happy-hour activity.
- Testing information: Official chapter channels should be used for current sessions and availability.
- Storm and festival changes: Confirm event status during hurricanes, major festivals and citywide disruptions.
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:
- Take the Mensa Admission Test: A supervised test administered by Mensa proctors
- 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 New Orleans. 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
Mensa was founded in 1946 in Oxford, England by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware. The name comes from the Latin word for "table," symbolizing a round-table society where all members are equal. Today, Mensa has over 150,000 members in more than 100 countries. American Mensa has over 50,000 members.
The requirement is scoring at or above the 98th percentile on an approved intelligence test. This translates to:
- WAIS-IV or SB-5: IQ 130
- Stanford-Binet (older): IQ 132
- Cattell Culture Fair: IQ 148
- SAT (pre-1994): Combined 1250+
Louisiana has approximately 3,500+ Mensa members, with many located in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The number continues to grow as the region's knowledge-based economy expands.
The Mensa Admission Test takes 1-2 hours total, including check-in and instructions. The two test batteries are timed and typically run between 20-25 minutes each.
The Mensa Admission Test costs approximately $40 in the United States. Annual membership dues after qualification are approximately $99. Professional IQ testing with a licensed psychologist (WAIS or SB-5) typically ranges from $200-$1,200.
Yes. Mensa accepts qualifying scores from tests taken at any point in your life, including childhood. You need to obtain an official report from the testing service or school showing your score. Many members join using SAT scores from decades ago.
No. Mensa does not accept online tests for admission. The test must be administered in person by a qualified proctor in a supervised environment. This includes the Mensa Admission Test and any prior evidence you submit.
Yes. Children can qualify for Mensa by scoring at the 98th percentile on an age-normed test. Parents can submit a psychologist's report directly to American Mensa. There is also a gifted youth program for younger members.
The Mensa Admission Test is designed only to determine if you qualify for membership and does not provide a detailed score report. Professional IQ testing (WAIS-IV, SB-5) provides a comprehensive report with Full Scale IQ, index scores, strengths, and weaknesses. Professional testing is better if you need a detailed analysis for school, career, or clinical purposes.
Mensa is primarily a social organization that provides community for people with high IQs. Activities include social events, discussion groups, lectures, game nights, and special interest groups. Mensa also supports gifted education initiatives, scholarships, and research into intelligence.