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

Last Updated: July 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

Virginia Beach's Connection to Mensa

Virginia Beach-area residents can locate the current American Mensa local group serving Virginia and western Iowa through Mensa's official directory. The metro's universities, healthcare systems, defense community, finance and insurance sector, technology employers, and educational institutions create a broad community of adults and young people interested in advanced learning and intellectual activities.

Local-group names, officers, testing dates, event calendars, and geographic boundaries can change, so applicants should use official Mensa sources rather than relying on an old local listing.

Mensa Qualifying Scores

Virginia Beach residents participate in American Mensa through the current local-group structure serving Hampton Roads and the surrounding region. The area’s military, university, healthcare, technology, engineering, and international-business communities create a broad pool of people interested in intellectual and social programming. Local-group names, boundaries, membership totals, and event calendars can change, so current information should be verified through American Mensa.

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 Virginia Beach

• Membership standard: A qualifying score at or above the 98th percentile on an accepted test.
• Two qualification routes: Take an American Mensa admission test when available or submit accepted prior evidence.
• Professional assessments: WAIS and Stanford-Binet evaluations may provide detailed cognitive interpretation beyond admission status.
• Regional participation: Virginia Beach members may attend gatherings throughout Hampton Roads depending on the current local group calendar.
• Military mobility: Members transferring into or out of the region can update their local-group affiliation through American Mensa.
• Youth members: Families should review youth-program supervision, privacy, and age-appropriate participation.
• No reliable city total: Public sources do not establish a current official count of members specifically within Virginia Beach city limits.

Mensa Membership in Virginia

• National standard: Membership requires qualifying evidence at or above the 98th percentile on an accepted test.
• Local directory: Use American Mensa's official directory to identify the current local group serving Virginia Beach, Virginia, and nearby western Iowa.
• No authoritative city count: A public, current Virginia Beach-only membership total is not consistently available.
• Young members: Families should confirm youth programming, supervision, privacy, and event suitability.
• Prior scores: Applicants may submit qualifying evidence from approved tests when documentation meets current rules.
• Testing changes: Local testing schedules, fees, and test availability can change.

Who Takes the Mensa Test in Virginia Beach?

• Adults seeking community: Professionals, students, retirees, military personnel, and other residents may pursue membership.
• Young people: Parents may seek recognized evidence for a child, but educational planning should not depend on Mensa membership.
• Prior-score applicants: People with existing WAIS, Stanford-Binet, school, military, or other approved scores.
• Clinical referrals: Some people complete a broader assessment for diagnostic or educational reasons and later submit qualifying scores.
• Curious test takers: Admission testing is not a full clinical evaluation and provides limited interpretive information.
• Accessibility: Ask Mensa directly about accommodations and documentation before registering.

Virginia Beach Mensa Events

• Social gatherings: Local groups commonly organize meals, games, discussions, and informal events.
• Speaker programs: Lectures and member presentations may be scheduled.
• Regional events: Members can participate in regional and national gatherings.
• Youth programming: Availability depends on local volunteers and current chapter planning.
• Testing sessions: Dates and locations may be limited; check the official calendar.
• Online options: Some member activities may be virtual, but admission rules remain separate.
• Privacy: Membership and test results should be shared only as the applicant chooses.
• Verification: Confirm all dates, fees, and accepted documentation with American Mensa.

Accepted Tests for Mensa Qualification

• Social gatherings: Meals, discussions, games, and informal meetups may be scheduled by the current local group.
• Speaker events: Topics may include science, technology, history, culture, education, and current affairs.
• Games and puzzles: Strategy games, trivia, word games, and problem-solving events are common Mensa activities.
• Family and youth activities: Availability depends on local volunteers and current policies.
• Special Interest Groups: National SIGs connect members by professional, recreational, cultural, or academic interests.
• Regional and national gatherings: Members can attend larger conferences outside Hampton Roads.
• Current calendar: Verify location, accessibility, age rules, registration, and schedule through official Mensa channels.

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 Virginia Beach. 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