Question
Can you take the Mensa test online?
Short answer
It depends on the country. British Mensa offers an online test made of two remotely proctored adaptive tests, and a 98th percentile score qualifies. American Mensa does not accept unsupervised or internet-based tests; its admission test is given in person by a proctor. Free online quizzes, including Mensa-branded practice ones, do not count.
Want your own number? The test is 25 visual puzzles, about 12 minutes, no sign-up.
The rule underneath: supervision
Every Mensa route rests on the same requirement: a score in the top 2% on a Mensa-approved test that was properly administered and supervised (Mensa International). The question is whether a given national Mensa considers an online session supervised.
British Mensa: yes, with remote proctoring
British Mensa's online test consists of two remotely proctored adaptive tests: a nonverbal diagrammatic fluid reasoning test and a vocabulary test. A score at the 98th percentile on either, or on both combined, qualifies (British Mensa: online IQ test). Remote proctoring is what makes it a supervised test.
Try one · Logical Reasoning
Which tile completes the second pair?
Tap the option you think is right, or show the answer.
Show the answer
The missing panel shows a large outlined triangle pointing down on its own (option 1).
How to solve it
- Compare the first two panels and name exactly what changed.
- The whole figure is flipped upside down, top to bottom.
- The large shape becomes outlined.
- Nothing else changes.
- Apply the same changes to the third panel: a large solid triangle pointing up on its own.
- So the missing panel shows a large outlined triangle pointing down on its own.
That was 1 puzzle. The full test has 25.
American Mensa: no unsupervised tests
American Mensa does not accept unsupervised testing, including electronic or internet-based tests (American Mensa: qualifying scores). Its own admission test takes one to two hours and is for people 14 and older (American Mensa: testing). You can also qualify with an accepted score from a professionally given test, such as a Wechsler Full Scale IQ of 130 (American Mensa: qualifying scores).
Other countries
National Mensa groups set their own testing arrangements. Check the site of the Mensa in your country for whether it offers a proctored online option.
Using online tests sensibly
An unsupervised online test is still useful for one thing: deciding whether a supervised session is worth your time. If an estimate puts you well below the 98th percentile, a proctored test may not change that; if it puts you near it, a supervised test is the next step. Warm up with the Mensa-style practice test and read the Mensa admission test and is a Mensa test an IQ test.
Sources
- British Mensa. Mensa online IQ test. mensa.org.uk/mensa-online-iq-test/
- American Mensa. Qualifying test scores. www.us.mensa.org/join/testscores/qualifying-test-scores/
- American Mensa. Admission testing. www.us.mensa.org/join/testing/
- Mensa International. Home page (membership and eligibility). www.mensa.org/