What is a high IQ society?
A high IQ society is a group that restricts its association to those individuals who have earned a required score on an IQ exam. Among the many IQ tests available today, the most commonly accepted tests for admittance to a high IQ society include Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Note that the common theory holds that there is no test that can accurately determine an IQ score greater than 146 (using a test with a standard deviation of 15). Thus, any high IQ society requiring results higher than three sigmas are looked upon as questionable.
Among the most respected high IQ societies are Mensa International, Intertel, the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry and Prometheus Society. How smart do you need to be in order to gain admission? Well, that depends on the society for which you are applying. Below you will find general descriptions for each of these organizations along with mandatory exam scores and guidelines for admission into the group.
It is advised to do your own thorough research before choosing which society to apply to or join.
Mensa International
Likely the most popular group, Mensa International is a high IQ society that allows members the opportunity for intellectual exchange through a variety of functions like gatherings, published articles, and roundtables (Mensa, which means table in Latin, got its name because the roundtable is the symbol of the organization). These activities are held both nationally and internationally. Mensa prides itself on having members from over 100 nations.
Mensa’s mission is simple. The organization strives to create a better humanity through an exchange of ideas by connecting members with one another. The events are social as well as intellectual. The society does not discriminate based on race, political views, level of education, class, age or religious affiliation. This philosophy allows Mensa to remain an organization that is open to all perspectives.
Mensa accepts any individual scoring in the upper two percent of the general population on any of the accepted exams as long as they are given and supervised under the proper policies and procedures. Practice exams may be taken online. The actual exam for admission must be taken in person. For more information on testing, contact a Mensa office near you.
Prometheus Society
The Prometheus Society separates itself from the rest in that the scores of its members are normally four standard deviations above average. Because of the uniqueness of its members, the organization recognizes the social awkwardness they may experience in the “real” world. Therefore, this society works to unite people of the same high level of intelligence through interaction and shared ideas. The group has members from around the world.
Those interested in joining the organization should examine the accepted tests and required results. Provided that your scores represent a result that is 1 out of 30,000 percentile, you may fill out and submit an application for membership. Upon acceptance, remit dues and adhere to rules and regulations. One nice thing about the Prometheus Society is that it allows those who do not meet the testing standards to become a subscriber. Subscribers pay dues and are permitted in the “Member Area.” They may also resource all “Gift of Fire” journals on record. For a list of acceptable tests and scores, click here.
International Society for Philosophical Enquiry
The International Society for Philosophical Enquiry a.k.a. ISPE is one of the oldest societies with members from all over the world. ISPE is considered a democratic association that is all-inclusive and strictly voluntary.
The philosophy and mission of ISPE are noble in that its focus is strengthening and improving humanity not simply through intellectual exchanges, but service. Members are encouraged to be active as board members and officers. Each individual is pushed to take on tasks that push one beyond their potential to make a difference within and outside the organization. The membership helps the members achieve these objectives through support generated through social networking. There are publications to discuss and activities to attend that bring together people of high intelligence to better themselves and the world around them. Members learn the importance of acting on one’s own volition.
While ISPE considers a wide range of standardized exams, the organization can administer its own tests to measure IQ. Members must place in the 99.9 percentile of the general population. For a complete list of tests ISPE accepts, click here. Applicants must be 18 years or older and be able to provide evidence that validates the standardized test and score earned. Submission of the aforementioned information must be made by a reputable testing office.
Intertel
Intertel was founded in 1966. Since then the organization has added nearly 1,200 members representing more than thirty nations. The group is multi-cultural and represents all levels of society. The common theme that links them together is a high IQ.
This society encourages intellectual exchanges on a limitless list of topics, inspires members to help in the study of higher intelligence and promotes friendship through association within the group. There are publications as well as an E-Board that push members to become involved. There are activities on a wide variety of subjects and meetings in which members can connect with others on the same intellectual level.
In order to be admitted into Intertel, the applicant must achieve a score that is at the 99 percentile or better on any standardized test accepted by the organization that is administered according to the policies of Intertel. All inquiries and questions should be made to the Intertel office.
Additional High IQ Societies
While the organizations above tend to be the most well known high IQ groups, they are certainly not the only ones. The following high IQ societies also have their own unique characteristics, entry requirements, and memberships.
- International High IQ Society. Started in 2000, this group was established originally in New York by Nathan Haselbauer and is now legally operated in the Netherlands. The International High IQ Society is open to individuals who have demonstrated an IQ in the top five percent of the population.
- The Mega Foundation. This group is actually a non-profit organization founded in 1999 to promote and implement programs for gifted individuals. The Mega Foundation has a program known as the Ultranet which restricts memberships to extremely gifted adults with an IQ of 164 (SD 4.25) or greater or equivalent from an accepted intelligence test.
- Triple Nine Society. This group accepts members who have an IQ in the top one percent which is three standard deviations above average human intelligence.
Torr. Another group founded by Nathan Haselbauer, this time in 2010, accepts members with a score in the top 1/760th of human intelligence.
