From: phil@miracle.com (Phil Hill)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Date: 1 Jul 92 02:18:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: miracle.gate.q0N8mB1w164w
Organization: Boston Mensa

This is the answers to  frequently  asked  questions  in  rec.org.mensa?
Before  posting a message asking a question, read this article.  Chances
are the answer is in here.
 
This article includes answers to:  
  
 1) Who is Mensa For?  
 2) Why Should I Join Mensa?  
 3) What are Members of Mensa Like?  
 4) What are the Qualifications for Mensa?  
 5) How do I apply for Membership in Mensa?  
 6) How do I Re-Join Mensa?   
 7) What are Mensa's Dues?  
 8) What does "Mensa" mean? 
 9) Where do I get more Information?
10) What other High-IQ Societies are there?   
11) What famous people are in Mensa?  
12) What is the Mensa Test Like?  
13) What unanswered questions does Phil Hill have?
  
The answers in this posting apply mostly to American Mensa.  It  is  the
only  organization  I  have  experience  with.   If you can answer these
questions for any other national Mensa, please send me your responses.
  
Corrections, suggestions, and additions to phil%miracle@merk.com  
  
========================================================================  
  
1) Who is Mensa For?  
  
Mensa is for those who rejoice in the exercise  of  the  mind.   If  you 
enjoy mental challenges and revel in the interplay of ideas, Mensa is an 
organization that will stretch  your  mind  and  expand  your  horizons. 
Mensa  is  an international society that has one - and only one - unique 
qualification for membership:  you must score  in  the  top  2%  of  the 
population on a standardized IQ test. 
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
2) Why Should I Join Mensa?  
  
There are many intelligent reasons to join Mensa.  Whether you  actively 
attend  Mensa  meetings,  or  simply relish the intellectual stimulation 
that membership promotes, you'll find the benefits of  Mensa  membership 
to be numerous indeed. 
  
* JOIN FOR THE INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION.    
  Think-two-three, think-two-three!  Mensa provides intriguing  ways  to 
  flex  your  mental muscles.  You'll find intellectual resources in the 
  Mensa Bulletin, in local newsletters, in Special Interest Group  (SIG) 
  newsletters, and at our annual and regional conventions. 
  
* JOIN FOR THE SOCIAL INTERACTION.  
  Mensa meetings are anything but dull!   Local  groups  meet  at  least
  monthly...   for  dinner  and  drinks on a Friday night, get-togethers
  featuring a speaker, or a lively, free-wheeling discussion.  All  with
  fellow members who share your intellectual interests.
  
  Some groups have special get-togethers or  activities  throughout  the
  month.    Others,   especially  the  larger  groups,  have  events  on
  practically every  day.   Of  course,  participation  in  local  group
  activities is always entirely at your option.
  
  There's also a widely attended annual convention  offering  workshops, 
  seminars,  and  parties.   Plus,  some 50 regional gatherings are held 
  around  the  country  each  year,  offering  social  and  intellectual 
  excitement. 
    
* JOIN FOR YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS.  
  Whatever your passion, there's almost certain to be a Special Interest
  Group  (SIG)  filled  with  other  Mensans who share it!  Mensa offers
  approximately  200  SIGs,  in  mind-boggling  profusion  from  African
  Violets  to  zoology.   Along  the  way  you'll find microbiology, and
  systems analysis, but you'll also find Sherlock Holmes, chocolate  and
  Star  Trek.   There's  the  expected:   biochemistry,  space  science,
  economics -- and the unexpected:  poker, roller skating scuba  diving,
  UFOs  and  witchcraft.   There  are  SIGs for breadmaking, winemaking,
  cartooning, silversmithing, and  clowning.   Heraldry,  semantics  and
  Egyptology  co-exist  with  beekeeping,  motorcycling and tap dancing.
  Sports SIGs cover the classics (baseball,  basketball,  football)  and
  the  not-so-classic  (skeetshooting,  hangliding, skydiving).  And any
  Mensan who can't find a SIG to join can easily start one.
  
* JOIN FOR THE PUBLICATIONS YOU'LL GET.  
  Ten  times  a  year,  you'll  receive  our  interesting  and  thought-
  provoking   magazine,   the   Mensa  Bulletin.   It  incorporates  the
  "International Journal,"  and  both  publications  contain  views  and
  information about Mensa, as well as contributions by Mensans on a wide
  variety of subjects.

  Also, you'll get lively local newsletters informing members  of  local
  activities  and  events, and other items of interest and announcements
  of special interest.

  "Interloc" (also published ten times yearly) is free to  officers--and
  for  other active members on request.  It contains news an information
  about various society administrative and internal matters.

  The "Mensa Research Journal," published quarterly by MERF, reports  on
  Mensa-supported  research.   It  also  publishes  original articles in
  diverse fields of interest, and is available for a small  subscription
  fee.

  "Isolated M" is a popular and informative  newsletter  sent  to  those
  members  who  are  geographically  or  otherwise isolated from a local
  group.  It, too, is available at nominal cost to any other member.

  The Mensa "Register,"  published  every  other  year,  lists  all  the
  members and includes such information as geographic location, areas of
  expertise and/or interest and other professional and personal data.

  In addition, Mensa books, gifts and other materials are  available  to
  members.

  
* JOIN FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS.  
  Mensa sponsors a  members-only  credit  card  and  insurance  program.
  There's also a program that aids traveling Mensans.
  
* JOIN FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COMMUNITY.  
  Mensa members also find opportunities to contribute to the  betterment
  of society through programs such as:
  
  * The American Mensa Education and Research Foundation (MERF)  
    MERF is a philanthropic, nonprofit, tax-exempt  organization  funded
    primarily  by  gifts  from  Mensa  members  and others.  MERF awards
    scholarships,  sponsors  colloquia,  grants  research  awards,   and
    publishes  articles.  Of particular interest to MERF is the study of
    the intellectually gifted.  Research  projects  in  the  social  and
    psychological sciences supported by MERF have included:  measurement
    of the  upper  levels  of  intelligence,  psycho-social  adjustment,
    identification  of  cultural differences, educational strategies and
    neurophysiological attributes of giftedness,  and  intelligence  and
    aging.
  
    Scholarships are awarded to  approximately  60  students  nationwide
    each  year.   More than 5,000 students apply for these awards, which
    range from $200 to $1,000.  Awards are made to  applicants  enrolled
    in  degree-granting  programs  at  accredited  American colleges and
    universities based on a competitive essay.  There  are  also  awards
    made  from  several  endowed  funds,  including  awards to women who
    re-enter academic study after  a  period  of  employment  or  family
    management,  and  awards  for the study of engineering, mathematics,
    medicine, the physical sciences, and history.
  
    MERF  also  sponsors  weekend-long  meetings  on   serious   issues.
    Authorities are invited to speak and discussion follows.  Themes for
    past meetings (Colloquia) have included "Science and  Society:   Our
    Critical Challenges," "The Impact of the Arts on Civilization," "The
    Gifted in Society," and "Forecasting a Valid Tomorrow."
  
  * The Gifted Children Resource Program.  
    Which compiles and provides information for gifted children  at  the
    national and local levels.
  
  * Mensa groups also get involved in many volunteer  activities  within
    their communities.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------  
  
3) What kind of people are Members of Mensa?  
  
Mensa:  We Think, Therefore We Are.  Mensans are the kind of people  you 
meet  every  day ...  except that they enjoy using their minds more than 
most.  And they have IQ scores that would impress their neighbors! 
  
Today there are some 100,000 Mensans in  100  countries  throughout  the 
world.   There are active Mensa organizations in 18 countries in Europe, 
North America and around the Pacific Rim.   American  Mensa,  Ltd.   has 
some  150  local  chapters  with  more  than 50,000 members.  Founded at 
Oxford University in 1946, Mensa has three stated purposes:  to identify 
and  foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage 
research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to 
promote  stimulating  intellectual  and  social  opportunities  for  its 
members. 
 
There is simply no one prevailing characteristic of Mensa members  other
than  high  IQ.   There  are  Mensans  for who Mensa provides a sense of
family and others for who it is casual.  There have been many  marriages
made  in  Mensa  but  for  many  people,  it  is  simply  a  stimulating
opportunity for the mind.  Almost certainty most  Mensans  have  a  good
sense  of humor and they like to talk.  And, usually, they have a lot to
say.
 
Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and  49.   In
education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people
with multiple doctorates.  There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans  who
are  millionaires.   As  far  as  occupations,  the range is staggering.
Mensa has professors and truck  drivers,  scientists  and  firefighters,
computer  programmers  and farmers, artists, military people, musicians,
laborers, police officers, glassblowers - you name it.  There are famous
Mensans  and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many, many whose names
you wouldn't know.
  
* MENSA DEMOGRAPHICS  
  
  64.4% male, 35.4% female (0.2% won't say)  
  
  54% between 30-49 years of age, 14% under 29, 0.32% over 80  
  
  31.2% in first marriage, 29.82% never married, 13.32% divorced once,  
  9.53% in second marriage after a divorce  
  
  Just over half have no children, 12.4% have one child, 18.66% have 2,  
  9.95% have 3, 4.37% have 4, 1.29% have 9+  
  
  about 30% earn $20-40,000, 10% earn $50-75,000, 9% earn $40-50,000  
  and about 0.5% earn more than $250,000.  
  
  17.93% Master's degree or equivalent, 17.56% four year graduates,  
  one in 11 are Ph.D.s.  
  
  41% work in private industry, 13% in government, 13% self employed.  
  
  88% European ancestry.  
  
  49% Christian, 3% Unitarian, 9% Jewish, 7% agnostic, 3.6% atheist,  
  9% no religion  
  
  14% only children, 19+% older of two, 12.5% younger of two,  
  11.5% oldest of three, 6.8% middle of three, 5.8% youngest of three,  
  9.7% oldest of more than three, 10.8% middle of four or more,  
  4.4% youngest of four or more  
  
  Computer related occupations 10%, 3.75% own their own business,  
  Electrical Engineers are 2.6%, 7.5% are in education, 3% lawyers,  
  0.11% judges, 0.02% are in astronomy.  
    
* WORLDWIDE NUMBER OF MEMBERS  
  
  Country                 Members  
  
  USA                       50483  New Zealand                 327  
  UK+Ireland                35608  Denmark                     295  
  Canada                     2546  Austria                     287  
  Malaysia                   2181  Channel Islands             257  
  Germany                    1204  Spain                       251  
  Finland                    1107  Singapore                   245  
  Yugoslavia                 1100  India                       200  
  Australia                   961  Sweden                      146  
  Netherlands                 922  Belgium                     117  
  Czechoslovakia              715  Japan                       101  
  France                      708  Switzerland                 101  
  Poland                      700  Hong Kong                   100  
  Italy                       400  OTHER                       320  
  South Africa                395  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------  
  Total Worldwide Membership                                101813  
  
  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
4) Do I Qualify for Membership in Mensa?  
  
* QUALIFICATION BY PROVIDING PRIOR EVIDENCE.  
  
  Applicants must supply evidence of intelligence test scores in the top
  2%  of  the population, or arrange to have it sent.  All documentation
  will be returned.  Notarized photostatic copies of original  documents
  are usually acceptable.
    
  A list of qualifying scores for  several  of  the  major  intelligence
  tests is given below:
    
  * QUALIFYING TEST SCORES#  
    -----------------------  
    California Test of Mental Maturity                     IQ 132  
    (California) Test of Cognitive Skills                  IQ 132  
    Cattell                                                IQ 148  
    Stanford Binet, Form L-M                               IQ 132  
    Wechler Adult and Children Scales  
     (WAIS and WAIS-R, WISC and WISC-R)                    IQ 130  
    Otis-Lennon Tests                                      IQ 132  
    Otis-Gamma Test                                        IQ 131  
    SAT or CEEB (Verbal and Math combined)  prior to 9/77    1300  
                                           effective 9/77    1250  
    GRE (Verbal and Math combined)                           1250  
    LSAT                                    prior to 1982     662  
                                           effective 1982      39  
    ACT Composite                                              29  
    Miller Analogies Test - raw score                          66  
    MCAT or GMAT (overall)                                    95%  
    Army GCT                               prior to 10/80     136  
    Navy GCT                               prior to 10/80      68  
        
    Many other intelligence  tests  may  also  be  accepted  subject  to
    individual  appraisal  of  the  documentation by Mensa's Supervisory
    Psychologists, e.g.: Henmon-Nelson,  NY  State  Regents  Scholarship
    Test(Aptitude  section  only),  Cattell  Culture  Fair,  SRA Primary
    Mental Abilities.
      
    # Note: The  term  "IQ  score"  is  used  as  a  convenient,  easily
            understood  reference.   Candidates  for membership in Mensa
            must achieve a score at or above the 98th  percentile  on  a
            standard  test  of intelligence.  The "IQ Score" varies from
            test to test, as shown by the list above.
              
            Mensa reserves the right to alter or change these  norms  as
            the  tests  shown are renormed or restandardized.  All prior
            evidence submitted to Mensa will be  appraised  individually
            and Mensa reserves the right to make the final determination
            about the acceptability of any test.
    
  * TO OBTAIN PRIOR EVIDENCE:  
    
    * I.Q. TESTS GIVEN IN ELEMENTARY OR HIGH SCHOOLS.  
      Write to the school you attended, and ask for a CERTIFIED copy  of
      your  score.   It must include your birth date, the grade in which
      you took the test, the name of the test,  and  a  clearly  defined
      number,  i.e.,  IQ, or percentile rank nationally.  Mensa does not
      accept achievement tests.  School seal must be stamped.
        
    * ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, OR MARINE SCORES  
      A certified copy of your records, which you may have,  or  a  copy
      from  Demobilized Records Branch, St. Louis, MO.  Unfortunately, a
      fire there destroyed many records some years ago.
        
      * MEMO ON MILITARY SCORES  
        The only scores that Mensa can accept are:  the AGCT scores from
        the  Army  - before the use of the ASVAB, and the GT scores from
        the Navy - also prior to the use of the ASVAB.  The new military
        tests  are  vocational  aptitude  tests and are not suitable for
        Mensa admission.  Mensa has been asked specifically not  to  use
        them  for  this purpose.  This is unfortunate, but communication
        with the government agency that makes  up  and  distributes  the
        tests  (ASVAB)  indicates  clearly  that they are unsuitable for
        Mensa purposes.
          
    * SAT and GRE  
      Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541.  They will  send
      you your score, but call (609) 921-9000 for the latest information
      on how to get such scores.  The price for  the  service,  and  the
      details of whether you must write or phone can vary.
         
    * ACT:  American College Testing Program.  
      Mensa will take scores for tests administered before the  date  of
      Oct.   1989.   ACT  states it is now content oriented.  As of that
      date, the test is no longer acceptable,  as  the  content  changed
      from  aptitude  to  subject  mastery, which Mensa does not accept.
      Address:  P.O.  Box 163, Iowa City, Iowa 52243.
         
    * MEDICAL, DENTAL, LAW and OTHER PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.  
      These tests are administered by the many professional associations
      that  require them for admission to their program.  Write directly
      to the association.
         
    * INDIVIDUAL TESTING DONE BY A PSYCHOLOGIST, OR AGENCY.  
      The report must be sent to Mensa on professional letterhead,  with
      the  psychologist's  or  agency's  license or registration number.
      Mensa accepts only tests given by those  people  qualified  to  do
      testing  privately  in  the  state  in which the examiner resides.
      Date of test, name of test, and full score must be given, and  the
      report must be signed.
         
    * MILLER ANALOGIES TEST (MAT)  
      Psychological Corp., 555 Academic Ct., San Antonio, TX 78204  Call
      (512) 299-1061 for latest advice.
         
* QUALIFICATION THROUGH MENSA TESTING  
  
If you're not sure whether you're Mensa material,  simply  complete  the
application below, and return it with your check or money order for $12.
Mensa will send you a pretest you can take in the privacy of your  home.
When  you've finished it, send it back to Mensa.  It will be scored, and
you will be notified of the results.  If your score indicates an  IQ  at
or  above  the 95th percentile, you'll be invited to take the qualifying
supervised test#, which  costs  $25.   (Although  the  pre-test  is  not
required  for  admission,  many  people  take  it  anyway simply for the
challenge.)
  
If you prefer, you may apply directly to take the supervised test at one
of  many  locations convenient to you.  If your score on that test is at
or above the 98th percentile, you'll be offered membership in Mensa.
  
# Note: Mensa's tests are not valid for people under the age of 14; they
        can   qualify  for  membership  via  prior  evidence,  described
        earlier.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
5) How do I apply for Membership in Mensa?  
  
cut here--------------------------------------------------------cut here  
  
                           APPLICATION FORM  
                                 
Mail to:  
American Mensa, Ltd.  
Dept. Usenet  
2626 East 14th Street  
Brooklyn, NY 11235-3992  
(718) 934-3700  
(800) 66-MENSA  
  
Name _______________________________________ Date of birth _____________   
  
Address ________________________________________________________________   
  
City _______________________________  State ______________ Zip _________   
  
Home phone (____) _______________  
  
Work phone (____) _______________  
  
[ ] Please send me the at-home pre-test.  I understand that if  I  score
    in  the  top  5%,  I  will  be  invited to take the supervised test.
    Enclosed is U.S.  $12 (check or money order) for the pretest.
      
[ ] I wish to go directly to the Mensa-supervised test.  Please send  me
    the name and address of the nearest proctor (a $25 fee is to be paid
    to the proctor.) I understand that if I score in the top 2%, I  will
    be invited to join Mensa.
      
[ ] I claim  exemption  form  testing  and  enclose  prior  evidence  of
    intelligence  test  scores  in the top 2% of the general population.
    Enclosed is my U.S.   $15  (check  or  money  order)  non-refundable
    evaluation  fee.  (If the evidence is being sent to us directly by a
    psychologist or testing institution, please note that the score must
    be  sent on an official letterhead and signed by the psychologist or
    institution responsible for the testing.)
      
Amount enclosed: $___________ (All checks must be drawn on U.S. banks in  
                               U.S. funds.)  
                                  
I learned about Mensa through: Usenet newsgroup "rec.org.mensa"  
                               Answers to Frequently Asked Questions  
                               Prepared by Phil Hill, Boston Mensa  
                                 
________________________________________________________________________  
  
________________________________________________________________________  
  
________________________________________________________________________  
  
cut here--------------------------------------------------------cut here  
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
6) How do I Re-Join Mensa?   
  
If you were a member at any time in the past contact the national office
and  they can reinstate your membership after the payment of the current
year's dues.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
7) What are Mensa's dues?  
  
Current dues are only $39 a year.  There are special student, family and
lifetime  memberships  dues when membership is offered.  This includes a
subscription  to  the  national  newsletter   (The   Bulletin)   and   a
subscription to the newsletter for the your local group.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
8) What does "Mensa" mean? 
 
The word "Mensa"  means  "table"  in  Latin.   The  name  stands  for  a
round-table  society,  where  race,  color, creed, national origin, age,
politics, educational or social background are irrelevant.
 
Officially, Mensa's stated purposes are "to identify  and  foster  human
intelligence  for  the benefit of humanity; to encourage research in the
nature, characteristics and uses  of  intelligence;  and  to  provide  a
stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members".
 
Mensa takes no stand on politics,  religion  or  social  issues.   Mensa
encompasses  members  from so many different countries and cultures, and
with many different points of view.  For Mensa to espouse  a  particular
point  of  view  would go against it's role as a forum for all points of
view.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

9) Where do I get more Information?

U.S.A:            American Mensa  Ltd.,  Department  Usenet,  2626  East
                  14th,    Brooklyn,   NY,   11235-3992,   USA,   Phone:
                  (718)934-3700 or (800)66-MENSA, Fax:  (718)332-1133,

Australia:        W.J.G.  Fisher 18 Fallbrook  St.  Kenmore,  Queensland
                  4069,  Australia  Phone:  (61) 7 378 2810 Fax:  (61) 7
                  221 1461

Austria:          Karin Schmidl-Tremba, Mensa Oesterreich, Postfach 502,
                  A-1011 Wien, Austria, Phone:  (43) 5222 304684

Belgium:          Andre Jacquet, Mensa Belgium-Luxembourg, Rue  de  Mazy
                  13,,  B-5800  Gembloux,  Belgium,  Phone:   (32) 2 640
                  6481,

Canada:           Wendy Marsh, Executive Director, POB 505, Station St.,
                  Toronto, Ont., M5M 4L8, Canada, Phone:  (416) 497-7070

Channel Islands:  Dr. Jacqueline Berlet, 4 Choisi  Terr.,  Les  Gravees,
                  St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Phone:  (44) 481-22515,

Czechoslovakia:   Jan Fikacek, Chairman, Borskeho 664/33,  15200  Prague
                  5, Czechoslovakia, Phone:  (42) 1798 9608,

Denmark:          Maria McGrail, Kronprinsesse Sofies,  Vej  43,  3  Tv,
                  2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark, Phone:  (45) 31 860 737

Finland:          Seppo Jarvinen, Laajavuorenkuja 8 E 56, 01620  Vantaa,
                  Finland, Phone:  (60) 878-2319

France:           Francois  Adrien,  International  Liaison,  9  Av   du
                  General Mangin, 78000 Versailles, France, Phone:  (33)
                  1 3955 1048, Fax:  (33) 1 4767 5415

Germany:          Hans Lippmann, Chairman  MinD,  Kapuzinerstr  7,  8390
                  Passau  12, Germany, Phone:  (49) 851 2510, Fax:  (49)
                  851 31532

Great Britian:    Harold Gale,  Executive  Director,  Mensa  House,  St.
                  John's  Square,  Wolverhampton,  WV2  4AH,  UK, Phone:
                  (44) 902 772771, Fax:  (44) 902 22327

Hong Kong:        Don Meyer, A2, 6th Fl., Elm Tree Towers,  8  Chun  Fai
                  Rd.   Hong  Kong,  Phone:  (852) 831 5313, Fax:  (852)
                  834 0703

Italy:            Menotti Cossu, Via Cassia  1326,  00123  Rome,  Italy,
                  Phone:  (39) 6376 5965

Japan:            Mensa Japan, 2-8-19-101, Takamatsu,  Toshima-ku,  171,
                  Tokyo, Japan

Malaysia:         Heah Kok Soon,  97a  Jalan  SS21/1A  Damansara  Utama,
                  Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Phone:  (03) 718 9561

Netherlands:      Edu Braat, Postbus 100, 3500  AC  Utrecht,  Nederland,
                  Phone:  (31) 20 260 117

New Zealand:      Piet van der Meyden, Box 35080, Browns  Bay,  Auckland
                  10, New Zealand, Phone:  (64) 9 478 9552

Poland:           Dr. A. Fal, Chairman, Mensa  Polska,  Ul  Szronowa  7,
                  53-023, Wrocaw, Poland, Phone:  (64) 9 478 9552

Romania:          Mr. & Mrs. Daniel  Serbanica,  CP  22-509,  Bucharest,
                  Romania, Phone:  (40) 0 714 303

Singapore:        Kwek Kok  Kwong,  Secretary,  Blk  103,  #25-51  Jalan
                  Rajah, Singapore 1232

South Africa:     Paul Ross, Box 1409, Rivonia 2128 South Africa, Phone:
                  (011) 788-2903

Spain:            Jose Maria Albaiges, Numancia 87, Esc.  B 12 3, 08029,
                  Barcelona,  Spain, Phone:  (34) 3 430 1175, Fax:  (34)
                  3 238 1646

Sweden:           Goran Pettersson,  Ostermalmsgaten  27  11  S-114  26,
                  Stockholm, Sweden, Phone:  (46) 8 101524

Yugoslavia:       Josip Saban, President,  Avenija  Borisa  Kidrica  9a,
                  41020  Zagreb,  Yugoslavia,  Phone:   (38) 41 527 876,
                  Fax:  (38) 41 527 847

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
10) What other High-IQ Societies are there?   
   
American Mensa, Ltd., 2626 E. 14th St., Brooklyn,  NY  11235-3992  (718)
934-3700--Open  to  individuals  who  have  scored  in  the  top 2% on a
standardized intelligence  test.   Founded  in  1945  by  R.Berrill  and
L.Ware.  Name of Journal:  Mensa Bulletin
  
Four Sigma Society, c/o  Kevin  Langdon,  P.O.   Box  795,  Berkeley  CA
94701--Open  to  individuals  who  have  an  IQ greater or equal to four
standard deviations above average  (99.997th  percentile).   Founded  in
1978 by Kevin Langdon.  Name of Journal:  Four Sigma Bulletin
  
Cameleopard Society, P.O.   Box  16898,  San  Diego  CA  92116--Open  to
individual  who have scored in the top 2% on a standardized intelligence
test.  Founded in 1988 by Lendon Best.  Name of Journal:  G'raffiti
  
Cincinnati Society, c/o Grady Ward, 571 Belden Ave., Suite A,  Monterey,
CA 93940-1307 (408) 373-1491--Open to individuals who have an IQ greater
or equal to the 99.9th percentile of the general U.S.  population.
  
International Society for Philosophical Enquiry, c/o Betty  Hansen,  277
Washington  Blvd.   U.S.,  Hudson,  NY  12534  (518)  828- 1996--Open to
individuals who score in the 99.9th  percentile  on  standardized  adult
intelligence  and  linguistic  tests.  Founded in 1974 by Chris Harding.
Name of Journal:  Telicom
  
The International High Five Society, 3546 Devon Hill  Road,  Toledo,  OH
43606-1102    (419)    474-3809    FAX:     (419)    474-1009,   e-mail:
72717.3507@compuserve.com.--High Five is open to  anyone  testing  above
the 95th percentile on a standardized test of intelligence.
  
Intertel, P.O.  Box 150580, Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 797-7210-- Open  to
individuals  who  have  an  IQ  at  or  above  the 99th percentile on an
accepted test.  Founded in 1967  by  Ralph  Haines.   Name  of  Journal:
Integra
  
Minerva  Society,  c/o  Jalon  Leach,  11526  Tina  Street,  Norwalk  CA
90650--Open to individuals with an IQ in the 99.9th percentile.  Founded
in 1987 by Kevin Langdon.  Name of Journal:  Metis
  
Mega Society, 13155 Wimberly Sq., No.  284, San Diego,  CA  92128  (619)
679-0273--Open  to  individuals  with an IQ in the 99.9999th percentile.
Founded in 1982 by Ronald K Hoeflin.  Name of Journal:  Megarian
  
Omega Society, c/o Cristopher P. Harding,  P.O.   Box  5271,  Rockhapton
Mail  Centre, Queensland 4702, Australia--Open to individuals with an IQ
in the 99.99997th percentile.  Founded in 1990 by Cristopher Harding.
  
One-In-A-Million Society,  GPO  Box  7430,  New  York,  NY  10116  (212)
582-2326--Open  to  individuals  who score 43 or higher on the 48- point
Mega Test.  Founded in 1986 by Ronald K Hoeflin.  Name of Journal:
Noesis  
  
Prometheus Society, 3000 Wesleyan, No.  245,  Houston,  TX  77027  (713)
850-7777--Open  to  individuals  exceeding  the  99.997th  percentile of
general intelligence.  Founded in 1982 by Ronald  K  Hoeflin.   Name  of
Journal:  Gift of Fire
  
Sinistral SIG, 200 Emmett Ave., Derby, CT 06418 (203) 735-1759-- Open to
left-handed people whose IQs are in the top 2% of the population and who
are eligible to be members of Mensa.
  
Society of Geniuses of Distinction, PO Box 3434, Center Line,  MI  48015
(313)  863-4327--Open  to  individuals  whose  IQs  fall in the 99.999th
percentile and who have distinguished themselves in at least one field.
  
Top One Percent Society, PO Box 539,  New  York,  NY  10101  (Ronald  K.
Hoeflin,  Founder)--Open  to  persons with measured IQs in the top 1% of
the population.
  
Triple  Nine  Society,  PO  Box  1111,  Madisonville,  KY  42431   (502)
821-3677--Open  to  those  individuals  who  score  in  the  top  99.9th
percentile on specific standardized intelligence tests.
  
-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -
  
Society                 Minimum      Members     Potential  
                       Percentile   Worldwide     Members#  
  
High Five               95                 ?    250,000,000  
Mensa                   98            80,000    100,000,000  
Cameleopard             98               300    100,000,000  
Sinistral SIG           98                 ?     10,000,000 ##  
Intertel                99             1,700     50,000,000  
Top One Percent         99               300     50,000,000  
Philosophical Enquiry   99.9             450      5,000,000  
Triple Nine             99.9             420      5,000,000  
Minerva                 99.9             165      5,000,000  
Four Sigma              99.997           100        150,000  
Prometheus              99.997           100        150,000  
Geniuses of Distinction 99.999             ?       < 50,000 ###      
Mega Society            99.9999           17          5,000  
One-in-a-Million        99.9999           17          5,000  
Omega                   99.99997           ?          1,500    
  
#   Based on a world population of 5 Billion People.  
  
##  Based on 10% of people being left handed.  
    [I don't have better stats on hand - Phil]  
  
### No figures for the number of people who have  
    "distinguished" themselves in their field are available.  
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
11) What famous people are in Mensa?  

SOME PROMINENT MENSA MEMBER PROFILES  
  
As this list suggests,  Mensa  is  a  remarkably  diverse  organization.
While  Some  Mensans  noted  here  are  well  known,  many  others  lead
interesting lives out of the public eye.
  
DONALD PETERSEN:  Former chairman  of  Ford  Motor  Company.   Has  B.S.
degree  in  mechanical  engineering and an MBA from Stanford University.
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi (honorary engineering  society)
and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (natural sciences).  During his
career at Ford, he was involved in the development of two of Ford's most
successful  cars--the  Mustang and the Maverick--as well as the Mark III
and the Fairlane.  He is also a high-performance driver, having  trained
at  the  school  run by retired racing champion Bob Bondurant.  Petersen
was born  on  a  farm  in  the  Midwest  and  raised  during  the  Great
Depression.   Influenced  by  the  hardship and economic instability his
family endured, he used his intelligence to pursue a secure life in  the
corporate environment.
  
ALAN RACHINS:  Plays Douglas Brachman in TV hit "L.A.  Law." He left the
Wharton  School  of  Finance  against  his  father's wishes to pursue an
acting career.  During the '60s he was in the cast of "Oh  Calcutta,"  a
highly controversial play where cast members appeared nude on stage.
  
BOB SPECTA:  Professional domino toppler.  As a high school  senior,  he
originated  the "domino toppling" category in the Guinness Book of World
Records.  He travels internationally doing domino shows  and  races  and
has appeared on network TV programs and in commercials.  An accomplished
athlete, Specta is a veteran of 12 triathlons.
  
ADRIAN CRONAUER:  Radio personality  and  subject  for  the  move  "Good
Morning  Vietnam."  Started  his  radio  career at 12 in his hometown of
Pittsburgh, PA, where he hosted a children's amateur hour.  Worked as  a
DJ  at  various radio stations and in Saigon during the Vietnam War.  He
is also a lawyer.  Cronauer was originally attracted to Mensa because of
the work they do for gifted children.
  
GLORIA LA ROCHE:  Captain and instructor for United  Airlines.   Product
of  a  dysfunctional  home,  she  used  intelligence and perseverance to
achieve her childhood dream of  becoming  a  pilot.   She  says  it  was
extremely  difficult  for  a  woman  like herself to break into the male
dominated world of commercial aviation.

MARILYN VOS SAVANT:  Listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame for having  the
world's highest recorded I.Q.  (228).  She is the wife of Robert Jarvik,
inventor of the  Jarvik  7  artificial  heart.   She  also  writes  "Ask
Marilyn," a weekly column that appears nationally in "Parade" magazine.
  
GEENA DAVIS:  Actress.  Currently co-starring with Susan Sarandon in the
movie  hit  "Thelma  & Louise." Received an Academy Award nomination for
her role in "The Accidental Tourist."
  
HENRY  MILLIGAN:   A  boxer  and  a  scholar,  1983   National   Amateur
Heavyweight champion who fought and won against Olympic heavyweight gold
medalist Henry Tillman.  He once fought Mike Tyson in a televised fight.
Milligan  recently  worked his way through NYU Business School acting in
commercials (e.g., for "Sports Illustrated" sneaker phone promotion).
  
JOHN N. MOORE:  University of Virginia law professor who specializes  in
international  law.   The  Kuwaiti  Ambassador to the U.S.  hired him to
help the  emirate  recover  damages  inflicted  since  the  August  1990
invasion by Iraq.
  
MELL LAZARUS:  Draws syndicated newspaper comic strips "Momma" and "Miss
Peach."  President of national Cartoonist Society, he has also published
two novels and is now writing his third.
  
JUDGE ELLEN MORPHONIOS:  Nicknamed "Maximum Morphonios" for  her  strict
rulings  in  Florida.   Former  model  and beauty queen (Coconut Harvest
Maiden and Miss Southern Florida) and local radio personality, once said
she  "enjoyed  being  a  sex  symbol."  As  a  young  mother and a legal
secretary, she passed a Florida exam  that  allowed  her  to  enter  law
school without an undergraduate degree.
  
PATRICIA PRATTIS JENNINGS:  Pianist with the Pittsburgh  Symphony.   She
is the symphony's first black member and has performed internationally.
  
RICHARD BOLLES:  Author of the world's  top  selling  job-hunting  book,
"What  Color  is Your Parachute?" Revised annually, the book has been on
the New York Times Best Seller List for 228 weeks.  Bolles has  two  new
books  in progress--one on relationships, one on spirituality.  He is an
ordained Episcopal priest who graduated from Harvard University cum laud
with a physics degree.
  
VELMA JEREMIAH:  She is a retired attorney who graduated fourth  in  her
law  school class at age 47 and was one of the first women partners in a
major Oregon law firm.  She is a grandmother, a working  standup  comic,
and currently chairwoman of Mensa International.
  
JEAN AUEL:  Best-selling author of "Clan of the Cave Bear",  "Valley  of
Horses",  "The  Mammoth  Hunters",  and  "Plains  of Passage".  A former
technical writer, she turned her attention  to  fiction,  buttressed  by
much  historical  and anthropological research, touring areas she was to
write about and teaching herself to make stone-age tools.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
12) What is the Mensa Test Like?  
  
                         THE MENSA WORKOUT!  
  
Exercise those little, grey cells with these mental calisthenics and see
if  you  can  match  wits  with  Mensa.  This test consists of questions
distributed with two different Mensa pamphlets.  Give  yourself  an  one
hour time limit on this test.
  
-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -

1. Which of the lettered designs best completes the following sequence?   
  
      [o]    [.]    (o)  
  
      A: (.)  
      B: (o)  
      C: [o]  
      D: (o)  
          
2. Sally likes 225 but not 224; she likes 900 but not 800; she likes 144
   but not 145.  Does she like 1600 or 1700?
  
3. Only one other word can be made from the letters of INSATIABLE.   Can
   you find it?
  
4. Put the appropriate plus or minus signs between the numbers,  in  the
   correct places, so that the sum total will equal 1.
  
        0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  = 1  
  
5. What is the word coiled inside this circle?
  
                       T  P  
                     I      U  
                     A      N  
                       L  S  
  
6. If two typists can type two pages in two minutes,  how  many  typists
   will it take to type 18 pages in six minutes?
   
7. If it were two hours later, it would be half as long  until  midnight
   as it would be if it were an hour later.  What time is it now?
   
8. Pear is to apple as potato is to?
   
      A: banana  
      B: radish  
      C: strawberry  
      D: peach  
      E: lettuce  
   
9. Continue the following number series with the group of numbers  below
   which best continues the series?
   
          1  10  3  9  5  8  7  7  9  6  ?  ?  
   
      A: 11  5  
      B: 10  5  
      C: 10  4  
      D: 11  6  
   
10. Which of the following is least like the others?
   
      A: poem  
      B: novel  
      C: painting  
      D: statue  
      E: flower  
   
11. What is the following word when it is unscrambled?  
   
        H  C  P  R  A  A  T  E  U  
   
12. What  is the number that is one half of one quarter of one tenth  of
    400?
   
13. Which of the following  sentences given  below  means  approximately
    the  same  as  the  proverb:   "Don't count your chickens until they
    are hatched?"
   
      A: Some eggs have double yolks, so you can't really count eggs and
         chickens.
   
      B: You can't walk around the henhouse to count the eggs because it
         will disturb the hens and they won't lay eggs.
   
      C: It is not really sensible to rely on something that has not yet
         happened and may not ever happen.
   
      D: Since eggs break so easily, you may not  be  accurate  in  your
         count of future chickens.
   
14. The SAME three-letter word  can be placed in front of the  following
    words to make a new word:
   
        _ _ _ L I G H T    _ _ _ B R E A K    _ _ _ T I M E  
     
   
15. Which  of the figures below the line of drawings best completes  the
    series?
   
    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+  
    ||||||   |    |||      |    ||||     |    |||||    |    ||       |  
    |        |    |        |    |        |    |        |    |        |  
    |        |    |        |    |        |    |        |    |        |  
    |       ||    |||||    |    |     ||||    |||      |    |   ||||||  
    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+    +--------+  
   
   
    A: +--------+    B: +--------+    C: +--------+    D: +--------+  
       |||||||  |       |   |    |       |||||||  |       |        |  
       |        |       |        |       |        |       |        |  
       |        |       |        |       |        |       |        |  
       |  |     |       |||||||  |       |        |       |  |||||||  
       +--------+       +--------+       +--------+       +--------+  
         
-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -
         
How Did You Do?  
  
If you answered at least nine questions correctly,  you've  done  fairly
well.   Mensa  recommends  you send for a preliminary test which you can
take at home without supervision.  Although this preliminary test is not
required   to   qualify   for  membership,  many  individuals  who  have
successfully passed the supervised qualifying test have stated that  the
preliminary  test  was  extremely  helpful  in  preparing them.  This is
especially true if it has been some time since you have taken  any  kind
of timed, written examination.
  
Remember, on the supervised test, you must score at or  above  the  98th
percentile.   You  should feel comfortable and at ease with the types of
questions which will be asked.  The preliminary test  will  not  contain
any  of  the  same  questions  as  the  supervised test, however it does
contain similar questions and may help you get used to  the  process  of
test taking again.

-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -

                           * A N S W E R S *  

 1.  A  
 2.  1600, Sally likes perfect squares  
 3.  BANALITIES  
 4.  0+1+2-3-4+5+6-7-8+9=1, There are  probably other solutions,  so  if
     yours is correct, give yourself full credit.
 5.  NUPTIALS  
 6.  SIX typists, one typist types one page in two minutes.  
 7.  9 p.m.  
 8.  B: Both grow in the ground.  
 9.  A: Alternate numbers go up by 2 and down by 1, starting with 1  and
        10.  
10.  E: The only one that is not an artistic work made by man.  
11.  PARACHUTE  
12.  5  
13.  C  
14.  DAY  
15.  C: The number of lines goes down opposite the face, up on the  side
        with the face and  the stick alternates  from top right to lower
        left.
  
-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -
  
Commentary on the Questions and Answers
  
QUESTION #2 (Sally and her favorite numbers)  
  
The answer that Sally likes perfect  squares  is  the  answer  that  the
question  writer  was  "looking"  for.   Mensans always like to bend the
rules a little, and find other  solutions  that  give  you  the  correct
answer:
  
* Sally likes numbers whose sum of the digits  is  odd.   Therefore  she
  likes 1600, not 1700.
  
Or other solutions that give the incorrect answer:  
  
* Sally likes numbers in which the sum of the digits plus the number  of
  digits equals 12.  Therefore, she likes 225, 900, 144, and, of course,
  1700.
  
* Sally clearly likes the zeros of:  
       x^4 + 404 * x^3 - 1792800 * x^2 + 32790000 * x - 49572000000  
  so the numbers she likes are 144, 225, 900, and 1700.  
  
Or even solutions that prove that neither answer is correct:  
  
* Sally does *not* like 1600 or 1700, because neither number has digits  
  which sum to 9. She *does*, however, like 1800.  
  
QUESTION # 4 (Insert +/1 to make total equal one)  
  
When many Mensans look at the answer and see "There are  probably  other
solutions,  so  if  yours  is  correct, give yourself full credit", they
usually wonder how many solutions there are.  How many can you find?
  
Still not challenged enough?  Let's bend the rules  a  little  bit,  the
question  doesn't  state that we *have* to put a sign between every pair
of numbers.   Adjacent  digits  would  therefore  form  a  number.   For
example:

   0 1-2 3+4 5+6 7-8 9 = 1  (01-23+45+67-89 = 1)  

How many more can you find?  
  
-  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  -

                          * ANSWERS TO COMMENTS *  
QUESTION #4, Part One  
  
0+1+2+3+4-5+6+7-8-9 | 0-1+2+3-4+5+6+7-8-9 | 0+1-2-3+4+5+6+7-8-9  
0+1+2+3+4+5-6-7+8-9 | 0-1+2+3+4-5+6-7+8-9 | 0+1-2+3-4+5+6-7+8-9  
0-1-2-3+4+5+6-7+8-9 | 0+1-2+3+4-5-6+7+8-9 | 0+1+2-3-4+5-6+7+8-9  
0-1-2+3-4+5-6+7+8-9 | 0-1+2-3-4-5+6+7+8-9 | 0-1+2+3+4+5-6-7-8+9  
0+1-2+3+4-5+6-7-8+9 | 0+1+2-3-4+5+6-7-8+9 | 0-1-2+3-4+5+6-7-8+9  
0+1+2-3+4-5-6+7-8+9 | 0-1-2+3+4-5-6+7-8+9 | 0-1+2-3-4+5-6+7-8+9  
0+1-2-3-4-5+6+7-8+9 | 0+1+2+3-4-5-6-7+8+9 | 0-1+2-3+4-5-6-7+8+9  
0+1-2-3-4+5-6-7+8+9 | 0-1-2-3-4-5+6-7+8+9  
  
QUESTION #4, Part Two  
0 1-2 3+4 5+6 7-8 9 | 0+1-2 3+4 5+6 7-8 9 | 0 1+2 3+4-5+6 7-8 9  
0+1+2 3+4-5+6 7-8 9 | 0-1+2 3-4+5+6 7-8 9 | 0 1+2 3-4 5-6 7+8 9  
0+1+2 3-4 5-6 7+8 9 | 0 1-2 3-4+5-6 7+8 9 | 0+1-2 3-4+5-6 7+8 9  
0 1-2-3-4 5+6 7-8-9 | 0+1-2-3-4 5+6 7-8-9 | 0 1+2-3 4+5 6-7-8-9  
0+1+2-3 4+5 6-7-8-9 | 0-1+2 3+4+5-6-7-8-9 | 0-1 2+3 4-5-6+7-8-9  
0 1+2+3+4-5+6+7-8-9 | 0 1-2-3+4+5+6+7-8-9 | 0 1+2 3+4 5-6 7+8-9  
0+1+2 3+4 5-6 7+8-9 | 0 1+2 3-4-5-6-7+8-9 | 0+1+2 3-4-5-6-7+8-9  
0 1+2+3+4+5-6-7+8-9 | 0 1-2+3-4+5+6-7+8-9 | 0 1-2+3+4-5-6+7+8-9  
0 1+2-3-4+5-6+7+8-9 | 0-1+2 3+4 5-6 7-8+9 | 0 1-2 3-4 5+6 7-8+9  
0+1-2 3-4 5+6 7-8+9 | 0-1+2 3-4-5-6-7-8+9 | 0 1-2+3+4-5+6-7-8+9  
0 1+2-3-4+5+6-7-8+9 | 0 1+2-3+4-5-6+7-8+9 | 0 1-2-3-4-5+6+7-8+9  
0 1-2 3+4+5+6+7-8+9 | 0+1-2 3+4+5+6+7-8+9 | 0 1+2+3+4 5-6 7+8+9  
0+1+2+3+4 5-6 7+8+9 | 0 1 2+3 4+5-6 7+8+9 | 0+1 2+3 4+5-6 7+8+9  
0 1+2+3-4-5-6-7+8+9 | 0 1-2-3-4+5-6-7+8+9 | 0-1-2 3+4+5+6-7+8+9  
0 1-2+3 4-5 6+7+8+9 | 0+1-2+3 4-5 6+7+8+9 | 0 1 2-3 4+5-6+7+8+9  
0+1 2-3 4+5-6+7+8+9  
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
  
13) What unanswered questions does Phil Hill have?

What can I do to make this Answers to FAQs better?

Are the International Addresses I gave the best ones for people to use?

Are all of the other high IQ  societies  still  in  existance,  are  the
address, phone numbers, and information correct?

Is one hour the correct time for the "MENSA  WORKOUT"  (taken  from  the
20-min  workout [five questions] and the Mensa Mini-Test [ten questions]
5*3=15 [questions] so thus 20*3=60 [minutes])?

Why do I keep on volunteering for things like this?

What (besides from "42") is the  meaning  to  Life,  the  Universe,  and
Everything?
  
========================================================================

This article was compiled by Phil  Hill.   Information  was  taken  from
several  sources,  including:   the current Mensa brochure, the outdated
Mensa brochure, the  March  issue  of  the  Vermonter  (Vermont  Mensa's
monthly  publications),  and  the  following  from  the CompuServe Mensa
forum:  the list of other high IQ societies, how to get verification  of
prior  testing,  "Amerian  Mensa:   A  true  meeting  of the minds" - an
interview with Dave Felt,

My thanks to:  Jean L. Cooper for compiling the original list of High IQ
Societies;  Dave  Felt  for his wonderful interview; Dr. Abbie F. Salny,
upervisory Psychologist,  American  Mensa,  Ltd.,  for  the  article  on
obtaining  prior  evidence;  James  Cowie,  Derek  R.  Foster,  Valentin
Pepelea, Glen Raphael, Tim W Smith and Jason W Solinsky  for  coming  up
with   comments  &  alternate  solutions  for  some  of  the  questions;
Christopher Wren for coming up with all the possible solutions  for  the
insert an operator problem.

The above information provided as a service to users of  usenet.   Mensa
takes  no  responsibility for the actions of any organization other than
itself.

Phil Hill takes absolutley no responsibility at all.  
  
Portions Copyright (c) 1988, 1990 by American Mensa Ltd.
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revison History:

03/30/92 - Phil Hill            - First Release



--

Edward A. Bertsch (eab@msc.edu)   Minnesota Supercomputer Center, Inc.
Operations/User Services          1200 Washington Avenue South
(612) 626-1888 work               Minneapolis, Minnesota  55415
(612) 645-0168 voice mail         [DISCLAIMER: MY OPINIONS; NOT MSCI'S]

             "Read _MY_ lips: No vote this time, George"

% echo "potatoe potato" | spell
potatoe
%