With more than 50,000 members, American Mensa is the largest national Mensa operating under the auspices of Mensa International, Ltd. There are currently more than 130,000 members worldwide, and an estimated six million Americans are eligible for Mensa membership.
Mensa members range in age from 2 to 106. They include engineers, homemakers, teachers, actors, athletes, students, and CEOs, and they share only one trait — high intelligence. To qualify for Mensa, they scored in the top 2 percent of the general population on an accepted standardized intelligence test.
Members have the opportunity to meet other smart people at local, regional, and national levels. They attend entertaining, intellectually stimulating events and exchange ideas with others through a variety of publications and online communities. They also work to help others through community-oriented activities and by working with the Mensa Foundation. And you can take advantage of our variety of member benefits and services.
Central Texas Mensa
Central Texas Mensa (previously Lone Star Mensa) is your local chapter nestled in the heart of Texas. We serve a wide area from Austin to Waco to Bryan-College Station, and everything between. Our mascot is the armadillo.
What is the purpose of Mensa?
From the Constitution of Mensa, there are three main purposes of Mensa:
- Identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
- Encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence.
- Provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members.
What qualifies me to be a Mensa member?
To qualify for Mensa, you must have scored in the top 2 percent of the general population on any one of more than 200 accepted, standardized intelligence tests — including our Mensa Admission tests — at any point in your life. An estimated six million Americans are eligible for membership.
How can I meet and interact with other members?
We schedule our activities on our calendar, and activities range from tours to guest speakers to parties.
Members attend regional and national gatherings that provide opportunities to meet other Mensans from across the U.S. and around the world. Members also interact online through our online communities and more than 150 national special interest groups.
What does Mensa membership cost?
In addition to qualification fees for supervised testing or evaluation of prior testing, members pay annual membership dues. Life, multi-year, and dues rates for additional family members are available. Visit Mensa’s dues page for more information.
Are there groups within American Mensa that share my interests?
Currently, there are more than 150 national special interest groups that cover interests from chocolate to military history and from scuba to mysteries. These SIGs are founded and maintained by members who share a common interest. Groups communicate regularly via newsletters and other forums.
Are Mensans involved in community service?
American Mensa provides a number of outlets for you to help in your community.
- The Mensa Foundation sponsors scholarships and programs for gifted youth, rewards excellence in research on giftedness and intelligence, presents awards for education and social improvement, and publishes the Mensa Research Journal.
- Our Gifted Youth Resource Program provides information on gifted youth to parents, teachers and schools.
- Also, our Local Groups volunteer for community-oriented activities, including public television pledge drives and scholarship fundraisers, and are recognized annually for their involvement.
Are there other benefits to being a Mensa member?
Along with the intellectual and social activities, members receive discounts on products and services including magazine subscriptions, insurance and travel. Our Member Services team is always looking into new ways to provide extra value for your membership.