How to join Mensa

You can join Mensa in one of two ways. Either:

Qualify by taking the fun-filled locally proctored test, or
Submit prior evidence to Mensa. Mensa accepts a broad range of prior evidence, from standardized test scores to a private psychiatrist's evalualtion.

Taking the locally proctored test

Please see testing schedule and location below for locally proctored tests. We strongly encourage you to reserve a seat for a test. If you choose to show up without a reservation, you still might be able to take the test — but at the sole discretion of the proctor, based on whether adequate room and supplies are available.

To confirm a seat and ensure that there is a test for you, Email Vanessa Lorengo with your name the date and location of the test you'd like to take.

The testing cost is $40.00, payable by money order, check, or credit card. (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover) However, if you take the test in October on Mensa Testing Day, the cost is only $35.

Please note that if you are wishing to take the language-free version, prior arrangements have to be made: Email Vanessa Lorengo so she can arrange for the proper test.

Next available testing dates (2010)

Each testing day falls on a Saturday. The test always lasts for about two hours. Tests on the following dates will be conducted in Seattle at the Good Shepherd Center (GSC) in Wallingford. We hope one of these dates works for you:

August 14th — Room 221
September 18th — Room 221
October 9th — Room 221
November 6th — Room 221
December 11th — Room 223

Please note: The regular Mensa test is designed for people over 14 years of age who are fluent in English. If regular testing would be difficult for you because of cultural or language differences, ADHD, learning disabilities or other problems, you might want to take the alternative nonverbal, untimed test (a language-free measure of abstract problem-solving ability). The Testing Coordinator can help you with this option.

If you are under 18, one of your parents must sign a permission slip provided by the Testing Coordinator, so be sure to contact Vanessa in advance to make arrangements. Or, an even better option would be to bring a parent with you to the testing session.

Location

The following testing locations will be available in 2010:

Seattle — All Seattle tests in 2010 will be conducted at the Good Shepherd Center (GSC) in Wallingford.
Tacoma — TBD
Bellingham — TBD
Bremerton — TBD

Note: Should you become ill at the last minute, do not come; you want to be at your best. However, be sure to notify Vanessa later to remain on the mailing list.

What to bring

The test should take 2 hours or less. We try to have the room open 20 minutes ahead of time, so come early and look through our publications. Dress in layers, since room temperatures vary.

Bring the following to the test:

A photo ID.
A couple of number 2 pencils.
$40 in check (made out to Mensa), money order, or credit card. Mensa accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
A permission slip signed by a parent if you are under 18, or bring your parent along!
Beverages are welcome in a quiet, lidded container.

Good luck on the test! Results are mailed in about two weeks, directly from American Mensa to the test takers. The IQ and percentile numbers can no longer be given since Mensa is not a "licensed testing facility." Instead, the results are stated as either Pass or Fail.

Your qualifying score will enable you to enjoy our many Member Benefits. (This link will take you to the American Mensa Web site.)

Just for fun!

Just for fun, try taking our Mensa Workout test. (It is not an IQ test. This score will not qualify you for Mensa.)

Help get the word out

The local Mensa group now has fliers available for posting. These fliers help get the word out regarding upcoming tests. Post them on community bulletin boards, at coffee shops, libraries, and workplaces. Just remember to be courteous and gain any permission necessary before posting.

Thanks for your help!

For general MWW information or questions about events, contact Claire Anderson by email at locsec@westernwashington.us.mensa.org or phone at (206) 782-3210.

For questions about our Gifted Children program, please email the GC Coordinator at gifted@mensaww.org.
To comment on this Web site, please email the MWW Webmeister at webmeister@mensaww.org.
For questions about our newsletter, ToteMs, please contact the Editor at mwwtotemseditor@gmail.com.

These pages and all content Copyright by American Mensa, Ltd., all rights reserved. Mensa® and the Mensa logo (as depicted for example in U.S. TM Reg. No. 1,405,381) are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by American Mensa, Ltd., and are registered in other countries by Mensa International Limited and/or affiliated national Mensa organizations.