| IQ tests are standardized tests that are designed | | | | disabilities and how to best to treat them within |
| to measure your intelligence. The test itself is a | | | | these communities. |
| series of questions designed to evaluate your | | | | Mensa is a society that was formed in 1946 as a |
| knowledge in a broad range of fields. Many | | | | way for people with higher IQ's to join together in |
| doctors use this test to determine if children are | | | | a community. The Mensa Society believes that |
| suffering from learning disabilities. | | | | intelligence shows no barriers and members range |
| Intelligence Quotients (IQ) Tests are simply a way | | | | in age and background. To qualify for a Mensa |
| of determining how well you can solve problems | | | | membership your IQ must be ranked in the top |
| and process information. They measure your | | | | two percent of the population. You can either |
| aptitude and determine, based on a scoring | | | | take the standard Mensa test or submit the |
| system of number of correct answers, your IQ | | | | results of an approved IQ test with your |
| score. On average the score is between 95-100 | | | | application. |
| points. Above average is over 120 points and the | | | | Mensa is the Latin word for "round". This signifies |
| genius level is anything over 155. | | | | that the group is a "round table" discussion forum |
| IQ tests do not take into account creativity | | | | where age, creed, religion or political preference |
| aptitude, English as a second language translation | | | | do not matter. This leaves the discussions to be |
| problems nor does it make accommodations for | | | | unbiased and fair among the group members. |
| cultural diversification. Many opponents to the IQ | | | | Mensa membership, while exclusive, is open to |
| test state that these above stated issues are the | | | | anyone who meets the criteria set forth by the |
| main reason to have IQ testing removed from | | | | group. It is a social organization that many use as |
| school. Opponents state that poorer communities | | | | a gathering place to expand their ideas. The |
| or ones with high migrant populations score | | | | group's goal is to encourage human intelligence for |
| considerably lower on the test because they are | | | | the benefit of society. They believe in promoting |
| not designed to take their lifestyle in to account. | | | | intellectual and social opportunities for the |
| Groups that encourage the usage of IQ tests | | | | members. There are over 100,000 members |
| state that standardized testing enables doctors | | | | throughout the world with Mensa organizations |
| and educators to see if there are learning | | | | located on every continent except Antarctica. |