Mensa is the largest and oldest nonprofit high IQ society in the world. Its membership is extended to people who score at or above the 98th percentile on any widely recognized standardized IQ test. In essence, it is a community for individuals with exceptional cognitive abilities rather than a conventional club for the merely bright.
Founded in 1946, Mensa has grown into a global network of national societies and regional groups. In North America, there are active communities in Canada and the United States that organize events, discussions, and collaborative projects for members who share a strong interest in intellectual pursuits. The organization emphasizes a peer environment where ideas can be exchanged freely, without pressure to conform to any single perspective.
One of the most often cited stories about early talent involves Heidi Hankins, a four-year-old from Winchester, England, whose IQ was measured at 159. She reportedly learned to read before turning three and could count to 40 at a very young age. Heidi’s case is commonly referenced to illustrate how exceptional cognitive abilities can appear so early that standard tests pick them up long before adulthood.
Another early entrant into Mensa’s annals is Oscar Wrigley, who was two and a half when he joined and carried an IQ of 160. Wrigley, also from England, exemplifies the kind of precocious performance many parents and educators notice when children show unusual memory, rapid language development, and an intense curiosity about the world.
British Mensa’s leadership has explained that Heidi’s parents correctly identified the child’s potential and sought confirmation through testing. In general, signs of high intelligence in a child include an unusually strong memory, early reading ability, interest in current events, a habit of asking many questions, and a noticeable impatience with the pace of ordinary play and conversation.
Mensa states that the average adult IQ is 100, which means Heidi’s score places her well above the typical range of adult cognitive performance. Still, the mark is not a measure of future life trajectory; intelligence is only one factor among many that influence learning, career success, and personal fulfillment.
For readers in Canada and the United States, Mensa maintains a North American presence with testing options and member events that suit diverse interests. The organization accepts scores from several well-established IQ tests and offers pathways for those who want to connect with peers, contribute to studies, or participate in problem solving activities and social gatherings that celebrate intellectual curiosity.
Stories like Heidi’s and Oscar’s are often shared to highlight how early abilities can surface in children. They also serve to remind readers that the threshold for membership is high by design, intended to identify people who can contribute to a vibrant community through ideas, collaboration, and healthy debate. In that sense, Mensa is less a gatekeeper of genius and more a forum for people who enjoy challenging their minds and learning from others.