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

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.

Stockton's Connection to Mensa

Stockton and San Joaquin County are within Sacramento Regional Mensa's geographic area. The group describes coverage extending through San Joaquin and neighboring counties and has historically identified Stockton/Lodi as an outlying area for local coordination. Members may attend regional social, discussion, game, scholarship, gifted-youth, and testing activities depending on current volunteer schedules.

The city's universities, healthcare systems, port and logistics economy, multilingual professional community, public agencies, and technology and education programs provide a natural base for people interested in Mensa. Official eligibility, testing dates, prior-evidence rules, and local events should always be confirmed through American Mensa and the current regional group website.

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 Stockton

Sacramento Regional Mensa Membership

• Local group: Sacramento Regional Mensa serves Stockton and San Joaquin County within American Mensa Region 8.
• Group size: The regional website reports roughly 400–600 members overall; no official Stockton-only membership count is published.
• Geographic character: Members live across Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, and other covered areas.
• Qualification: Membership depends on an accepted score at or above the 98th percentile, not residence, education, occupation, gender, or ethnicity.
• Current information: Membership totals, officers, testing sessions, and event locations change and should be checked through official Mensa channels.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Stockton?

• Adults seeking membership: Professionals, students, retirees, business owners, public employees, healthcare workers, educators, and people interested in high-IQ community activities.
• Prior-evidence applicants: Individuals who already have qualifying scores from an accepted test administered under approved conditions.
• Parents of gifted youth: Families exploring Mensa resources after professional or school-based testing.
• University students: Pacific, Delta, Stan State Stockton, and regional university students may explore qualification.
• Important distinction: The Mensa Admission Test establishes eligibility only and is not a clinical IQ evaluation or diagnostic report.

Stockton and Sacramento Regional Mensa Events

• Testing sessions: Sessions are scheduled according to authorized proctor availability and may require travel to Sacramento-area or other regional sites.
• Local activities: Social, dining, game, discussion, book, and special-interest events depend on volunteers and current calendars.
• Stockton/Lodi participation: Outlying-area activities may be coordinated when local members volunteer to host or organize.
• Gifted youth: Resources and activities vary; parents should confirm age requirements, supervision, and current coordinators.
• Scholarships: American Mensa and regional groups may participate in annual scholarship programs under current rules.
• Regional gatherings: Members may attend broader Region 8 and national events.
• Official sources: Use American Mensa and the current Sacramento Regional Mensa calendar for dates, fees, eligibility, and registration.

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 Stockton. 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