What is Mensa?

Mensa was founded in 1946, in England. Thesince IQ changes very little with age. That is,
Mensa Society was formed specifically forpeople who are smart in adulthood were just as
intelligent individuals. The aim of Mensa was tosmart as children and vice versa, regardless of
create a non-political society free from all formswhether or not they join Mensa.
of racial or religious distinctions, that focussed onThe name Mensa comes from the Latin word for
exceptional intelligence. All are welcomed intotable and indicates a group of equals sharing ideas,
Mensa regardless of background, religion,like a roundtable discussion.
socioeconomic condition, race, or age.Mensa's stated purpose is to identify and
In fact, on February 14, 2005 the Mensaencourage human intelligence for the benefit of
confirmed that a three-year-old boy had becomehumanity; to foster research in nature,
the youngest current member of Mensa. Toddlercharacteristic and uses of intelligence; and to
Mikhail Ali of Bramley, Leeds in the UK has an IQpromote stimulating social and intellectual
of 137 a level of intelligence which puts him in theopportunities for society members.
top 2% of the population for his age. A mensaFamous mensa currently include Isaac Asimov,
spokeswoman confirmed Mikhail was its currentand Gena Davis. Mensa sets a measured
youngest member and said the organization onlyintelligence level in the upper two percent of the
has 30 members under the age of 10. Mikhail waspopulation. This is its only requirement for
three years and six weeks old when he joinedmembership. Statistically, about six million people in
Mensa. The organization's youngest member everthe United States alone qualify for Mensa, of
was two years and 10 months old when he joinedwhom 50,000 have actually joined. Worldwide,
in the mid 1990's. These records are a meaningfulabout 120 million people qualify for mensa of
only from a public-relations standpoint however,whom 100,000 have joined.