# How to Join Mensa: The Top 2% Requirement and the Testing Process Source: https://iqcat.vercel.app/en/blog/mensa-how-to-join Published: 2026-05-19 Publisher: NekoIQ (https://iqcat.vercel.app) Tags: メンサ, 入会方法 > A clear guide to joining Mensa. We lay out the top 2% requirement (roughly IQ 130 and above), the typical process for accepted prior tests and supervised admission tests, and how to think about the steps involved. ## Key takeaways - Mensa admits anyone scoring in the top 2% on a standardized intelligence test — IQ 130 on an SD-15 scale. - There are two routes: submit proof from an accepted prior test, or sit Mensa's supervised entry test. - Fees, dues, and procedures differ by country, so check your national Mensa's official information. - Free online IQ tests are not Mensa-approved instruments; they are for practice and self-assessment. Mensa is an international society for people whose intelligence quotient (IQ) places them in the top 2% of the population. If you have ever thought about joining, the first questions on your mind are probably how to join and what the requirement is. This article lays out Mensa's admission criteria and the typical testing process honestly and without exaggeration. Because the governing body, fees, and procedures differ from country to country, please check each country's official sources for specific costs and schedules. ## Mensa's admission requirement is the "top 2%" The condition for joining Mensa is scoring within the top 2% of the entire population on a standardized intelligence test. Since IQ is based on a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, the top 2% corresponds roughly to [IQ 130 and above](https://iqcat.vercel.app/en/iq/130). That is about 1 in 50 people, and a defining feature is that it is a clear numerical standard. > Figure: normal-distribution bell curve with the target IQ range shaded One thing to keep in mind here is that what Mensa evaluates is only a part of the intelligence that tests can measure. IQ is merely an indicator of certain aspects of cognitive ability; it does not represent the whole of "being smart," which includes creativity, interpersonal skills, and domain knowledge. For where various scores fall, see the [IQ reference table](https://iqcat.vercel.app/en/iq) as well. ## Two routes: accepted prior tests and supervised admission tests There are broadly two ways to qualify for membership. One is to submit proof of a score from a previously taken, accepted standardized test (such as a commonly used intelligence assessment). Each country's Mensa publishes a list of acceptable tests, and if any of them shows you in the top 2%, it can be used for your application. The other is to take a supervised (proctored) admission test administered by Mensa. You take it at a venue or in a designated setting under the supervision of a proctor, and if the result meets the requirement, you qualify for membership. Either route typically requires identity verification and certain prescribed procedures. ## The typical process from application to membership The general flow is: (1) check the official Mensa website for your country of residence, (2) choose between submitting proof from an accepted test or taking the admission test, (3) take the test or send your score proof, and (4) join if you pass the review and meet the requirement. Fees and annual dues vary by country and society, so be sure to confirm them through official sources. If you want to get a sense of your own tendencies, one option is to get comfortable with the question formats through a casual online test, separate from the actual Mensa exam (note that such online tests are not Mensa's official certified exams and are strictly for practice and self-assessment). If you want to get used to recognizing shape and matrix patterns, [tips for matrix reasoning](https://iqcat.vercel.app/en/blog/matrix-tips) can also help. ## Summary: First, know where you stand Joining Mensa has a clear requirement, the "top 2% (roughly IQ 130 and above)," and you can take it on through either an accepted test's proof or a supervised exam. Before seriously considering it, getting a rough sense of where you stand first makes it easier to plan your preparation. Try the [free IQ test](https://iqcat.vercel.app/en/start) to casually check where you stand. ## Frequently asked questions ### What IQ do you need to join Mensa? The criterion is the top 2%. That prints as IQ 130 on an SD-15 test, IQ 132 on SD 16, and IQ 148 on a Cattell-style SD-24 test. ### How do you join Mensa? Two ways: submit score evidence from a standardized test Mensa accepts, or take Mensa's own supervised (proctored) entry test. ### Can an online free IQ test qualify me for Mensa? No. Online tests are for practice and self-assessment; membership requires formally sitting a test Mensa accepts. ### How much does joining Mensa cost? It varies by country and national organization. A testing fee and annual dues are typically separate, so check your national Mensa's official information. ## Disclaimer NekoIQ provides estimates for entertainment and self-understanding. It is not a medical, clinical, or official psychological assessment. Percentages are derived from a normal distribution with mean 100 and SD 15.