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

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

Shreveport's Connection to Mensa

Shreveport residents participate in the wider Northern Louisiana and Ark-La-Tex intellectual, educational and professional community, but there is no guaranteed permanent American Mensa testing site inside the city. Local-group boundaries, event locations and admission sessions can change. Candidates should use American Mensa's current official calendar and local-group directory rather than relying on an old venue listing.

Mensa Qualifying Scores

Mensa requires evidence at or above the 98th percentile on an accepted, properly administered test. The qualifying numerical score varies by instrument, edition and norm set. Applicants should use American Mensa's current prior-evidence list and documentation rules rather than relying on a generic online IQ conversion.

Qualifying Scores by Test

Each accepted instrument has its own qualifying threshold, and requirements can differ by edition, index score and administration date. Candidates should compare their official report with American Mensa's current prior-evidence requirements before submitting documentation.

Mensa in Shreveport

Residents may qualify through an American Mensa admission test or accepted prior evidence. A psychologist-administered WAIS, WISC or Stanford-Binet evaluation provides a broader clinical profile; the Mensa admission test is designed only to determine membership eligibility.

Mensa Membership in Louisiana

Northern Louisiana members and applicants are served through American Mensa regional structures, but boundaries, testing sessions and event locations can change. Shreveport applicants may need to travel elsewhere in north Louisiana, east Texas or another nearby city. Confirm current age rules, registration, identification, accommodations, accepted prior-evidence tests, qualifying scores and documentation directly with American Mensa.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Shreveport?

• Adults seeking community: applicants may want social, intellectual, volunteer or special-interest activities.
• Students and professionals: some pursue membership as personal validation, though it is not a license, academic credential or employment qualification.
• Previously tested individuals: accepted prior evidence may avoid retesting when official documentation meets current rules.
• Families of gifted youth: age restrictions and youth-program requirements should be confirmed before scheduling any assessment.

Shreveport-Area Mensa Events

Events may be held anywhere in Northern Louisiana or the surrounding region and can include speaker programs, games, dining, community service or special-interest gatherings. Schedules change, and no specific recurring Shreveport venue should be assumed without checking the official calendar.

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 regional sessions. A session inside Shreveport is not guaranteed, so candidates should use the current official calendar and confirm the location, eligibility rules, fee, and test format before registering. 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