Test your IQ with Mensa

TO celebrate the establishment of Mensa, the high IQ society, in October 1946, Mensa South Africa is offering a free eligibility test on Saturday 22 October, in Westville. The normal price is R100.

Please note that, although this is an official IQ test, they will not be able to give people their IQ score afterwards. They will simply be told whether they have passed at the level required to join Mensa, which is at or above the 98th percentile (in the top 2 per cent of the population).

Mensa is an international organisation, and is in effect a social club for people who sometimes enjoy the company of others who think a little quicker or see a slightly bigger picture than the average. The word “Mensa” is Latin for “Table”, and signifies that it is a round-table organisation, where all members’ values are equal.

There are branches in all four major centres in South Africa, and the KZN branch is active with about two meetings per month. The meetings vary between social gatherings and ones of a more mentally stimulating nature.

The test is in multiple-choice format, and consists of two sections. A candidate may join Mensa by passing either section. The first one tests general and deductive reasoning, and the second one tests visio-spatial abilities. The test is conducted by a registered psychologist and takes about two hours. The test is optimised for 16 years and older, it is not suitable for younger people.

Should you wish to write the test, it is essential that you book your place, either by email to kzn.testingofficer@mensa.org.za or contact Dave on 031 764 2642, from 6pm to 9pm.