M.B.A., M.P.H.
HCBA Center Director & Consultant
740.587.5297 Office P.O. Box 317
740.587.0352 Fax Granville, OH 43023
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FAQs, by Kathe Oliver
Mensa’s Gifted Children’s Coordinators spend a lot of time answering questions. Here are ten frequently
asked questions, and their answers.
Q. What does “gifted” mean?
A. In general, it means an unusually intelligent person. To some extent, the definition depends on the
person or organization that is using the term. Schools with programs for the gifted (“G&T” or “TAG”
programs) usually include children who score in the top 2, 3, or 5 percent of an intelligence test, along
with other criteria. Anyone who scores in the top 2% in an accepted standardized IQ test may join Mensa.
Q: Where can I go to learn more about giftedness and gifted children?
A: Start at American Mensa’s website, www.us.mensa.org. Go to “Gifted Children” in the “Quick Links”
section for access to a variety of information, including a list of recommended books.
Be sure to visit the Hoagies’ Gifted Resources link, www.hoagiesgifted.com, home to the Internet’s largest
collection of information on gifted children. Other important sites include www.sengifted.org, the website
of SENG/Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted, and the website of the Davidson Institute for Talent
Development, www.ditd.org/.
The Templeton National Report on Acceleration, A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's
Brightest Students, is essential reading for anyone who cares about gifted children. Go to www.
nationdeceived.org to download the entire study, or to order a free paperback copy of Volume One.
Q: How can I find out more about Mensa’s Gifted Children’s Program?
A: For information about the national program, read the Mensa Bulletin and Interloc, and visit the GCP’s
website by going to www.us.mensa.org and clicking on “Gifted Children.” For information about the local
GCP, talk to the Gifted Children’s Coordinator (GCC). Contact information is in the newsletter, or on the
Local Group website. If no GCC is listed, talk to the Loc Sec.
Q: How do children join Mensa?
A: American Mensa’s youngest member is three years old. However, the Mensa Admission Test given by
Mensa’s proctors is standardized for people age 14 and older. Younger Mensans join by submitting a score
from any one of more than 200 tests that are accepted as prior evidence. To find out if a test is accepted for
Mensa membership, call 1-800-66-MENSA (63672), or email testingcoord@americanmensa.org.
Q: Do children have to be members of Mensa to attend Gifted Children’s Program (GCP) events?
A: Family members and guests of Mensa members are normally welcome to participate in all GCP activities.
Children who are not affiliated with Mensa may attend GCP events as guests of the GCC to learn more
about Mensa. Local Group policies may differ at the discretion of their Gifted Children’s Coordinators and
Executive Committees.
Q: I know gifted children who live in another town. Could they join our Local Group?
A: Members are assigned to Mensa’s Local Groups according to their Zip Codes, although anyone may join
any Local Group as a “member by preference.” Information on which areas belong to which Local Groups
can be found by going to www.us.mensa.org and clicking on “Groups.”
Q: I want to volunteer to work with Young Mensans, and I have an idea for a GCP event. Who should I talk
to?
A: Contact the GCC. Volunteers and ideas are always welcome!
Q: I would like to help gifted children. Are there advocacy groups for gifted children?
A. While many (or most) Mensans are advocates for gifted children, Mensa as an organization is not an
advocacy group. The largest nationwide advocacy group for the gifted is the National Association for Gifted
Children, or NAGC (202-785-4268, www.nagc.org). The NAGC website has information on statewide
advocacy groups.
Q: Are there schools or summer camps specifically for gifted children?
A: There are few schools for the gifted, but there are many camp and supplemental education programs.
GCCs and teachers of the gifted have information on local programs. The state Department of Education
website may list programs in your state. To learn about other programs, start with the Hoagies’ website,
www.hoagiesgifted.com. Additional information is available in the “Gifted Children” section of the AML
website, www.us.mensa.org., and at the NAGC website, www.nagc.org.