High IQ societies bring together people who achieve very high results on standardised intelligence tests.
The purpose of these societies is to create an environment where intellectual curiosity, idea sharing, and social connection with people who have similar cognitive strengths are central.
They mainly differ in how demanding their entry requirements are, how large their membership is, and how formally organised they are.
This article introduces some of the best-known high IQ societies, listed from the more accessible and widely joined to the highly exclusive. Special attention is also given to societies that are active in the UK or are easy to access for members from the UK.
Mensa International
Mensa International is the most recognisable and one of the most popular high IQ societies worldwide.
It was founded in 1946 to encourage the understanding of human intelligence, support research in the field, and provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members.
To join, candidates must score within the top 2% of the population on an approved, standardised IQ test. This often corresponds to an IQ score of around 130 or higher, although the exact threshold can vary depending on the test used.
Mensa accepts results from its own supervised testing and also results from certain other recognised intelligence tests.
Today, Mensa brings together more than 100,000 members across over 100 countries. It is organised into national groups that operate independently while remaining connected through an international network.
Members can take part in local and international meet-ups, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), publications, and a wide range of educational and social activities.
In the UK, Mensa UK provides a local route to membership, including IQ testing opportunities and member activities such as talks, gatherings, and interest-based groups. This allows people with high IQ scores to connect locally while also participating in the wider Mensa network.
Alongside the social and intellectual side, Mensa also supports educational initiatives, programmes for gifted children, and scholarship opportunities in some regions.
Mensa often becomes a first choice for people exploring high IQ societies, but it emphasises that its goal is not competition. The focus is on collaboration, curiosity, and the exchange of knowledge.
International High IQ Society (IHIQS)
International High IQ Society was founded in 2000, originally under the name New York High IQ Society. It later changed its name to reflect a growing international membership.
The society is open to individuals who score in the top 5% of the population on a standardised IQ test, which makes the entry threshold slightly lower than Mensa.
It focuses mainly on encouraging discussion across a wide range of intellectual topics and connecting members internationally.
Membership generally has no additional requirements beyond providing an eligible IQ test result. Because of the broader entry threshold, it is often considered one of the larger and more accessible high IQ societies.
Intertel
Intertel was founded in 1966 and is intended for individuals who score in the top 1% of the population on standardised intelligence tests.
This typically corresponds to an IQ score of around 135 or higher. The society places a strong emphasis on intellectual exchange and a sense of belonging.
Members have access to its publication, regional meet-ups, and international events.
Intertel is often viewed as a step up from Mensa in terms of selectivity, while still remaining a relatively active and organised community.
Triple Nine Society
Triple Nine Society was founded in 1978 and is intended for individuals in the top 0.1% of the population.
This threshold corresponds to an IQ score of roughly 146 or higher, depending on the test used. The society highlights intellectual exploration, friendship, and open exchange of ideas.
It does not promote a single philosophy or worldview, and instead encourages diversity of thought. Members typically have access to a publication, gatherings, and online forums.
Prometheus Society
Prometheus Society is one of the more exclusive high IQ societies. Founded in 1982, it requires placement in the top 0.03% of the population, which often corresponds to an IQ score around 160 or higher.
Its aim is to support deeper discussion, collaboration, and connection between individuals with very high cognitive ability.
Members may have access to a publication and online discussions. Because the entry threshold is so high, membership is very limited in size.
Giga Society
Giga Society is considered one of the most exclusive high IQ societies. Membership is limited to individuals in the top 0.0001% of the population, corresponding to an IQ score around 196 or higher, depending on the test.
Because this profile is extremely rare, the society has a very small membership. Its main purpose is to enable intellectual discussion and the exchange of ideas among individuals with exceptionally high cognitive ability.
It occasionally publishes a journal, but relatively little information about its activities is publicly available.
High IQ Society (HIS)
High IQ Society is an international society aimed at individuals with above-average intelligence.
Membership is generally open to candidates who score in the top 2% to 5% of the population, depending on the accepted test. As a result, the entry requirements are typically less strict than Mensa or Intertel.
The society focuses mainly on intellectual exchange and online connection. Its structure is often less formal and less centralised than larger organisations.
HIS can appeal to people who want the idea of membership without extensive commitments or a highly institutional structure.
Olympiq Society
Olympiq Society is a smaller and relatively young society that accepts individuals who score in approximately the top 0.5% of the population.
This corresponds to an IQ score around 140 or higher, depending on the test used. The society primarily operates online.
Its main purpose is to support discussion and connection between members with very high cognitive ability.
It does not typically offer a large programme of events or publications, but it provides space for exchanging ideas and engaging with intellectually demanding topics. Because of its size, it is often viewed as a more informal yet selective community.
High IQ societies comparison table
| Society | Required IQ (approx.) | % of the population |
|---|---|---|
| Mensa International | 130+ | top 2 % |
| International High IQ Society (IHIQS) | ~125+ | top 5 % |
| High IQ Society (HIS) | ~125–130+ | top 2–5 % |
| Intertel | ~135+ | top 1 % |
| Olympiq Society | ~140+ | top 0,5 % |
| Triple Nine Society | ~146+ | top 0,1 % |
| Prometheus Society | ~160+ | top 0,03 % |
| Giga Society | ~196+ | top 0,0001 % |