What Are High-IQ Societies & What Do They Do?

Since the first quantitative metrics for measuring intelligence were created in the early 20th century, psychologists and laypeople alike have become fascinated by the upper extreme. The fascination ran so deep that several high-IQ societies were established to facilitate research on intelligence and help gifted individuals connect.

Although high-IQ societies don’t operate in secret, some are more obscure due to their exclusivity. As a result, the general population may not be aware of their inner workings or even their existence.

So, we’ve decided to look deeper into this topic, and we’re ready to shed some light on the most fascinating high-IQ societies, their membership requirements, and their operations.

So, let’s dive in.

7 High-IQ Societies

Among high-IQ societies, Mensa is the largest and most well-known, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of others below the surface, some with thousands of members and some with only a few.

This article will introduce you to seven of these exclusive organizations, showing you what high-IQ societies do, how they came to be, and how you can join if you qualify.

#1. International High IQ Society

The International High IQ Society (IHIQS) is among the newest high IQ societies, established in 2000 by Nathan Haselbauer. Originally, it was focused on New York, but it quickly opened up to members from all corners of the world, as long as they belonged to the 95th percentile.

In other words, to join IHIQS, your IQ must be in the top 5% of the general population, which, according to estimates, is 124 or higher. Then, you receive IHIQS’s official certificate and can join online discussions with other highly intelligent members.

And that’s precisely what IHIQS was made for—bringing together high-IQ individuals from all corners of the world. Although there are no offline events, online forums and lectures organized by the society seem effective enough.

To join IHIQS, you must submit an official certificate confirming that you’ve taken one of the approved tests, such as Stanford-Binet, Wechsler, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, or Miller Analogies Test. Alternatively, you can take the society’s admissions test.

International High IQ Society: Quick facts

Established

2000

Requirements

Being in the 95th percentile with an IQ of 124 or higher

Number of members

Thousands across the world

Accepted tests

All standardized tests, including college admissions exams (SAT, ACT, GMAT)

Journal

None

Fees

A one-time membership fee of $139

#2. Mensa

Roland Berrill and Dr. Lance Ware founded Mensa, the first high-IQ society, in 1946 with the intention of creating a community for highly intelligent people regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, religious convictions, or political views.

In fact, Mensa only requires that their members’ scores on an approved IQ test place them within the top 2% of the general population. Approximately, that’s an IQ of 130, but Mensa avoids using specific cutoff numbers as the result may differ from test to test.

As a society with 145,000 members in 90 countries, Mensa has numerous branches across the world with its own rules and requirements. Of course, they all follow Mensa’s universal code, but national organizations can also decide which tests to accept.

For instance, aside from standardized IQ tests such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale or Wechsler tests, American Mensa developed its own test that doesn’t provide a score and serves only for testing candidates.

Mensa: Quick facts

Established

1946

Requirements

Scoring enough for placement in the upper 2% of the population

Number of members

145,000 in 90 countries

Accepted tests

200+ standardized tests; testing available in the organization

Journal

Mensa World Journal

Fees

Varies in different countries; $79/year in the US

#3. Intertel

Founded in 1966, Intertel is one of the oldest high-IQ societies, currently numbering 1,500 members in thirty countries. Like all other societies of this kind, Intertel set out to bring highly intelligent people together as well as assist in research on high IQ.

Aside from online communication held on forums or via emails and regularly published issues of Intertel’s journal, the society frequently organizes local meetings, using its governing bodies in different parts of the world. That allows the members to meet and participate in discussions and various events.

Intertel is a bit more restrictive than the previous two societies on this list, admitting only the top 1% of scorers or, in other words, the 99th percentile. That equates to an IQ score of approximately 135 on the Stanford-Binet Scale.

In addition to Stanford-Binet, you can apply with a score from all other standardized and properly administered IQ tests. If you already have a Mensa certificate proving your IQ is in the 99th percentile, you can submit that document instead.

Intertel: Quick facts

Established

1966

Requirements

Score in the 99th percentile, IQ above 135

Number of members

1,500 members in thirty countries

Accepted tests

All standardized IQ tests (Stanford-Binet, Wechsler)

Journal

Integra

Fees

$39/year

#4. The Triple Nine Society

The Triple Nine Society (TNS), founded in 1978, takes exclusivity up a notch, allowing only those who score within the 99.9th percentile to join.

Due to this exclusivity, TNS has only about 1,900 members, as opposed to Mensa’s 145,000. Still, that takes nothing away from the society—it provides opportunities for networking, innovation, and growth just as much as the larger high-IQ societies.

So, how do you join this society reserved for those with the highest IQ? Like other high-IQ societies, TNS requires you to submit a score certificate from an official IQ test. Since TNS never developed its own admissions test, most standardized test scores are accepted.

And there’s one more thing to consider: although there’s no official membership fee, members are expected to pay for Vidya, the formal journal of the society. Vidya is distributed as a double issue six times a year at an annual price of $10 for the digital form and $30 for print.

The Triple Nine Society: Quick facts

Established

1978

Requirements

Score in the 99.9th percentile, above 146

Number of members

1,900

Accepted tests

All standardized tests

Journal

Vidya

Fees

Annual fee of $10 or $30, depending on the chosen Vidya format

#5. Prometheus Society

The Prometheus Society was established in 1982 to provide space for people with genius-level IQs who may struggle to meet like-minded individuals in the general population.

As a result, only those with a score in the 99.997th percentile are eligible to join. Due to its high admission requirements, the Prometheus Society only has about 36 members as of October 2020.

In addition, the Prometheus Society doesn’t accept most standardized IQ tests. The only currently accepted test that may qualify you to join this highly exclusive society is the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

However, you may submit scores from your SAT (taken before 1995) or GRE (taken before 1981) to attempt to join. And even if you don’t qualify right now, you can subscribe to the Prometheus Society’s journal for only $10 a year.

Prometheus Society: Quick facts

Established

1982

Requirements

Score in the 99.997th percentile, IQ above 160

Number of members

Approximately 36

Accepted tests

The Miller Analogies Test

Journal

Gift of Fire

Fees

$10/year to access the Gift of Fire

#6. Epimetheus Society

The Epimetheus Society is a high-IQ society founded by American philosopher Ronald K. Hoeflin that only accepts individuals in the 99.997th percentile with an IQ of 160.

As a result, this society, established in 2006, has only about 32 members, all of whom were required to provide evidence of their IQ score measured by the Stanford-Binet test or Miller Analogies Test.

Additionally, the Epimetheus Society accepts scores from college admission tests such as the GRE and ACT.

Unlike other high-IQ societies on this list, the Epimetheus Society doesn’t have a membership fee. Despite that, it still provides its members with a space to communicate and a subscription to a journal called Termite.

Epimetheus Society: Quick facts

Established

2006

Requirements

Score in the 99.997th percentile, IQ above 160

Number of members

32 members

Accepted tests

Stanford-Binet, Miller Analogies Test, GRE, and ACT

Journal

Termite

Fees

No fees

#7. Mega Society

The Mega Society is another very exclusive high-IQ society founded by Ronald K. Hoeflin, whose original purpose was to facilitate psychometric research. Established in 1982, this society admits the top 0.0001%, statistically meaning that only 1 in 1,000,000 people is eligible to join.

However, the strict requirements of this high-IQ society were met with some controversy. Namely, standardized IQ tests can’t accurately measure whether someone truly belongs to the 99.9999th percentile. When IQ exceeds 160, most tests can only approximate intelligence as opposed to giving a reliable score.

As a result, the Mega Society used only the Langdon Adult Intelligence Test (LAIT) until it was compromised in 1994. After that, it developed its own tests: Dr. Hoeflin’s Mega Test, Titan Test, Ultra Test, and Power Test. Currently, only the last two are still in use.

Considering its exclusivity, the Mega Society has only 26 members. However, non-members can also subscribe to and read the society’s journal, Noesis, available on the official website.

Mega Society: Quick facts

Established

1982

Requirements

Score in the 99.9999th percentile, IQ above 171

Number of members

26 members

Accepted tests

Dr. Hoeflin’s Ultra and Power Test

Journal

Noesis

Fees

Annual fees agreed upon by members’ majority vote

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Key Takeaways

High-IQ societies are an excellent way to connect with like-minded individuals, but some are also incredibly exclusive, admitting only those who fit their very specific criteria.

If you feel like you might have a chance with one of the societies on this list, apply for membership and take one of the required tests. Even if you don’t make it in, you will learn more about your capabilities and discover your IQ score.

Besides, enough preparation and practice can slightly increase an IQ score. So, if you’re only a few points short, you can retake the test after a while and apply for membership again.

Want to understand how advancements in technology are influencing our views on intelligence and high IQ? Check out our article on Artificial Intelligence and IQ to learn more.