Free Mensa-style practice test

Mensa accepts the top 2% of a supervised IQ test. This free test uses the same kind of puzzle: pattern matrices. Take it to see how close you are.

What score do you need?

The line is the 98th percentile. That is IQ 130 on a scale with a standard deviation of 15. On other scales it is 132 or 148.

Scale	Mensa line
Standard deviation 15 (most tests)	130
Standard deviation 16	132
Standard deviation 24 (Cattell)	148

The number differs, the line does not: about 1 person in 50.

Is this the real Mensa test?

No. Only a supervised test counts for membership. This one shows you where you stand before you book it.

How it works

60 matrix puzzles. Up to 40 minutes. Your score, a certificate and a full analysis, all free.

How to join Mensa

There are two ways in. You can sit the supervised admission test run by your national Mensa, or send the result of an approved test you have already taken, for example with a psychologist. Each national Mensa sets its own fee, age rules and list of accepted tests, so check your country's Mensa website first.

How your score here compares

This test uses the same kind of puzzle as many admission tests, but it is not supervised. Unsupervised online scores tend to run higher than supervised ones. If you score 130 or more here, you are likely in range and the real test is worth a try. If you score a little under, you may still pass on the day: any single score has a margin of error.

Before the real test

Sleep well and arrive early. The real test is timed, so do not get stuck on one puzzle: move on and come back. Practising matrix puzzles helps a little, not a lot. In many countries you can sit the admission test only once, so take it when you are rested.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join Mensa with an online test?

No. Mensa only accepts supervised tests: its own admission test or an approved test taken with a psychologist.

What percentile do you need for Mensa?

The 98th: a score higher than 98 people in 100.

Can children join Mensa?

Yes, in most countries. Children are usually assessed by a psychologist, and age rules vary by country.

Does practice raise your score?

A little. Knowing the puzzle type helps on a first attempt, but practice does not change much beyond that.

How accurate is this practice test?

It gives a good estimate of where you stand. It is not a clinical or official score.

Learn about IQ

IQ chart: the IQ scale from 70 to 145 Find your score. Each row shows its classification, how many people score lower, and how rare it is. What IQ Do You Need for Mensa? The 98th-Percentile Threshold The exact threshold for Mensa — the 98th percentile — and what IQ number that works out to on each scale. How to Join Mensa: Requirements and Accepted Tests Mensa's 98th-percentile entry requirement, the tests it accepts, and how to apply.