Testing
In accordance with its goal of identifying human intelligence, Mensa holds testing sessions throughout the year. The Mensa Admissions Tests are administered by certified proctors and they can be taken only once. These tests are offered only to those 14 years of age and older. Younger candidates may apply for admission by submitting alternate evidence of qualification.
Northern Michigan Mensa administers the Mensa Admissions Tests in a group setting several times during the year, and we schedule tests for individuals separately if they are unable to attend one of the group sessions. Registration for a testing session can be done in advance via phone or email, or it can be done on the day of the test. Please contact Dr. John D. Schultz, our Proctor Coordinator, to arrange for a testing session. His email address is: nwoodpc@chartermi.net, and his home phone number is 231-275-6735. We also have two additional proctors: Melissa Rennie, who lives near Bear Lake, and Susan Styles, who lives near Elk Rapids. Both of them also schedule tests as needed in the areas southwest of Traverse City or north and east of Traverse City, respectively.
The next scheduled group testing session will be on MENSA TESTING DAY, which is Saturday, October 17. The session will be held in Traverse City at 1:00 p.m. and will last until about 3 p.m. Advance registration is recommended as the room we use has limited seating. Those who sign up first will be guaranteed a space. This testing session will be held in the Traverse Area Association of Realtors classroom at 852 S. Garfield Avenue.
Walk-ons are welcome at most Mensa testing sessions, but those who make contact in advance will receive preference in case more show up than seating allows.
The fee for testing is $40. This is less expensive than most IQ tests that are administered professionally. Mensa does not currently provide the scores received on such tests because they are used only to determine whether a person qualifies for Mensa. Test-takers will normally be notified within three weeks about whether or not they have qualified for membership. We strongly encourage those who qualify to join. Northern Michigan Mensa holds more than 40 events during the year.
Testing takes approximately an hour and a half. The registration fee may be paid by check (made out to American Mensa, Ltd.), by cash, or by charging to Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express. A photo ID is necessary, and candidates under the age of 18 must present a Testing Consent Form (signed by a parent or guardian) before being tested. The consent form may be printed from this Web site and signed in advance, or it may be signed in person by the parent or guardian at the time of the testing session. The MENSA ADMISSIONS TESTS are designed only for individuals who are 14 years of age or older. Some other tests, administered by qualified psychologists, are acceptable for those younger than 14.
American Mensa, Ltd. offers a free practice test online for those interested. In addition, a Mensa Home Test is available for more specific experience. It costs $18. Internet-based IQ tests are not accepted to qualify for Mensa, but they may provide an idea of what to expect from testing. In lieu of our tests, Mensa also accepts results obtained on nearly 200 standardized intelligence tests. Submission of so-called "prior evidence" of a 98th percentile (or higher) achievement on any of these tests costs $40. Please visit AML's Prior Evidence Page for more information.
Upon request, a non-language, culture-free battery of tests is also available for prospects who are dyslexic, do not speak English as their primary language, or have physical disabilities that prevent them from taking our other tests.
Thank you for your interest.