Mensa Testing in Tulsa
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, Tulsa's connection to Mensa, and everything you need to know about testing in Tulsa.
Last Updated: July 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 Tulsa
How many Mensa members are in Tulsa 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 Tulsa today.
The History of Mensa
The Founding: Oxford, England (1946)
Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware. Its core membership criterion is performance in the upper two percent on an accepted standardized intelligence test.
The Early Years
The organization expanded internationally and developed national groups, local chapters, special-interest groups, publications, gatherings, and programs for adults and youth.
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.
Tulsa's Connection to Mensa
Green Country Mensa is the American Mensa local group serving Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma. Local activities, testing sessions, officers, and event calendars change, so applicants should verify current information directly with American Mensa or 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 Tulsa
Reliable current membership totals are not published as a fixed Tulsa city statistic. Local-group boundaries extend beyond municipal limits, membership changes continuously, and some members do not participate in public events.
Green Country Mensa and Local Membership
- Local group: Green Country Mensa serves Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma.
- Regional structure: The chapter operates within American Mensa and follows national rules.
- Changing totals: Local membership fluctuates and cannot be equated with Tulsa's population.
- Prior evidence: Applicants may submit qualifying scores when documentation meets current requirements.
- Youth members: Parents should confirm current age, consent, testing, and activity policies.
Who Takes a Mensa-Qualifying Test in Tulsa?
- Adults seeking membership: Intellectual community, personal challenge, special-interest groups, or social events.
- Parents of advanced children: Youth membership or additional enrichment, while recognizing that Mensa does not determine school placement.
- Adults with prior scores: People seeking to document qualifying historical testing.
- Clients needing more than admission: Those who also need diagnosis, disability documentation, or a comprehensive cognitive profile should use a licensed psychologist.
Tulsa-Area Mensa Events
- Local gatherings: Meals, games, discussions, family activities, or speaker events may be offered.
- Special-interest groups: Availability depends on current volunteers and member interests.
- Regional access: Events may occur anywhere in Green Country, not only within Tulsa city limits.
- Calendar: Verify location, accessibility, age restrictions, and registration before attending.
- 98th-percentile rule: Qualification is based on an accepted score, not a single universal IQ number across all tests.
- Accepted-test list: Tests and score rules can change; verify before paying for private assessment.
- Sealed records: Prior evidence may need an original or officially certified report from the testing institution or psychologist.
- School records: Some historical school-administered tests may qualify if the exact edition and score meet current rules.
- Practice tests: Online quizzes and unofficial IQ tests generally do not provide qualifying evidence.
- Admission-only testing: The Mensa admission test is not a clinical diagnostic evaluation and may not provide a full-scale IQ score.
- Retesting: Waiting periods and retest rules may apply after an unsuccessful admission test.
- Accessibility: Applicants should request disability arrangements in advance and confirm available accommodations.
- Privacy: Membership status and scores are personal; employers and schools do not need them unless the applicant chooses to disclose.
- Broader assessment: People seeking ADHD, learning, autism, disability, or career guidance need a psychologist rather than admission-only testing.
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 (group cognitive-ability screening) – 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
Applicants may qualify through the Mensa Admission Test or by submitting acceptable prior evidence from an approved standardized test. Accepted tests, dates, score rules, and documentation requirements can change.
The Mensa Admission Test
Green Country Mensa states that it offers the admission test in the Tulsa area several times per year. Its site says the fee is normally $60, but applicants should verify the current price, promotions, age rules, and available dates directly with American Mensa or the local coordinator.
What the Mensa Admission Test Measures
The admission battery is designed to determine whether the applicant meets Mensa's percentile requirement. It is not a clinical diagnostic evaluation and generally does not provide a detailed cognitive profile for treatment, disability, school, or employment purposes.
Important: The Test is for Admission Only
Use a licensed psychologist when you need a formal IQ score, diagnostic interpretation, accommodation documentation, or a comprehensive report. Before paying for private testing, confirm that American Mensa currently accepts the selected instrument and report format.
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+
Reliable current membership totals for Tulsa or Oklahoma are not publicly reported. Green Country Mensa serves Tulsa and surrounding Tulsa metro area counties; consult the local group or American Mensa for current information.
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.
As of July 2026, American Mensa lists local-group admission testing at $60, private testing at $99, and annual dues at $107. Fees can change, so verify current pricing directly. Independent psychological testing is priced separately by the evaluator.
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.