New Mexico Mensa is a local chapter of American Mensa Ltd, "the High IQ Society", which is in turn a national group of Mensa International. Geographically, New Mexico Mensa covers the northern 2/3 of our state, from Socorro up to the Colorado border plus the northern Texas Panhandle (Amarillo and environs).

As might be expected, most of our 325+ local members are clustered in the Albuquerque area, with  smaller clusters in Santa Fe/Los Alamos, the Four Corners area and far off in Amarillo. We have activities in these areas. The number and type of activities continually change, but usually include dinner meetings, speaker nights, lunch groups, occasional games nights, pool parties or barbeques, and even visits to museums or baseball games. Gen-Xers have additional separate activities. All activities are listed under "Coming Events" in the right column and in the "Calendar" under the member menu.

We have a restricted e-mail list where members post questions, swap jokes, make comments, and have contests. To join, send a blank e-mail message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it To join and read messages, go to yahoogroups and click on "Join this Group". Register with Yahoo if you aren't already registered with them. It's a fun way to chat with our more remote members.

Why do people join? The most common reason people give is "for intellectual stimulation". And we talk and read a lot! It's a great way to meet new and interesting people. Plus, there are over 140 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that you can join which publish newsletters on many topics and there are on-line Mensa-only e-mail lists on numerous topics. The sky's the limit.

The only requirements to belong to Mensa are to have an IQ (proven through tests) in the upper 2% of the general population and to have paid the required yearly dues. Tests are scheduled periodically, usually in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. The next known testing date can be obtained by e-mailing  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Include your phone number, address or e-mail address with your request. The next known testing date and location can also be found in the CALENDAR.

New Mexico Mensa also has a  newsletter, The New Mensican, which informs members about upcoming local events through a calendar and which publishes articles by members on myriad topics.