The question of no longer accepting the SAT actually was answered at some length by Abby F.Salny (Ed. D.) in the March, 1994 issue of the Mensa Bulletin (p. 9) in response to a reader's question. The letter writer asked:
"Please tell me why Mensa will not accept the new SAT results as evidence for admission to Mensa. Is there some new aspect of the SAT test that makes it invalid for Mensa use?"
Dr. Salny responded:
"Many Mensans have asked why we do not accept the 'new' SAT scores or the 'new' MCAT scores. This is not only an explanation but a possible philosophical explanation of the changes in the test.
The ACT went to content mastery testing some time ago. That means they were measuring learned knowledge and achievement. The SAT has not only changed to content achievement but has even changed its name from the Scholastic Aptitude Test to the Scholastic Achievement Test. The Medical College test has also gone content-oriented with two major sections, Physical Sciences and Biology.
Mensa's Constitution says 'IQ test or equivalent'. This means we can take a test that measures learning aptitude, but not a test that measures exclusively what has been taught in school. The whole purpose of Mensa was not to reward high scholastic achievement but to recognize intellectual giftedness. The two are not synonymous.
--- In short, any test that we have rejected, or that we will reject in the future, has changed content from IQ or equivalent to content mastery. Our Constitution mandates this and we are trying to follow our Constitution."
This means that now even the GRE (since Oct., 2001) cannot be considered a true aptitude test and a valid basis for evidence to qualify for Mensa membership. The American Mensa, Ltd. website makes it clear what past tests are still accepted as evidence for qualifying and which are now content -dominated so no longer are. These include:
| ACT Composite | prior to 9/89 (29) | 29 |
| effective 9/89 ( N/A) | N/A |
| GMAT (Percentile rank of verbal + quantitative)** (95) | 95 | |
| GRE | prior to 5/94 (V+ Q = 1250) | 1250 |
| scored from 5/94 to 9/01 (math + verbal + analytic = 1875) | 1875 | |
| effective 10/01 (N/A) | N/A |
| Henmon-Nelson (132) | 132 | |
| LSAT*** | prior to 1982 (662) | 662 |
| 1982 through 5/91 (39) | 39 | |
| effective 6/91 (163) | 163 |
| Miller Analogies Test (MAT) | prior to 10/04 (raw score 66) | 66 |
| scored after 10/04 (total group percentile score 98) | 98 |
| PSAT (taken in junior year) | prior to 5/93 (180) | 180 |
| effective 5/93 (N/A) | N/A |
| PSAT (taken in senior year) | prior to 5/93 (195) | 195 |
| effective 5/93 (N/A) | N/A |
| SAT or CEEB | scored prior to 9/30/74 (1300) | 1300 |
| scored from 9/30/74 - 1/31/94 (1250) | 1250 | |
| scored after 1/31/94 (N/A) | N/A |
So, if you have SATs from 1974 through 1/31/94 you can qualify if your Verbal-Math total is 1250 (if before 1974, it needs to be 1300). If you are using the GRE (Graduate Record exam) prior to May, 1994, the total needs to be 1250. If after that date but before 10/01 then the verbal, quantitative and analytic total must come to 1875. After 10/01 it's no go, you will either have to bring up an earlier SAT test, or take the Mensa test.
The point is that prospective candidates can't blame Mensa or the other organizations which are just following their own prescribed rules. If they must blame anyone it's the ETS (Educational Testing Service) or other test manufacturers. But before you do, be mindful they are not beholden to providing any IQ equivalent aptitude tests, but rather to satisfying the demands of colleges own evolving admission standards and requirements. The point is that the priorities of universities and colleges need in no way conform with those of Mensa, Intertel et al.
Oh, one other thing, you can't submit "blended" scores, i.e. from multiple test sittings, nor can you submit a "re-sit" score, e.g. for SATs. For those who wish to take the Mensa test (if no prior evidence test is allowable) you can obtain a practice test from American Mensa. For those who are curious as to how their prior SAT or GRE scores translate into I.Q. check out: http://www.iqcomparisonsite.com/greiq.aspx
Side note: It's interesting that the yen for content mastery has even invaded previous military aptitude tests, i.e.
| Army GCT**** | prior to 10/80 (136) | 136 |
| effective 10/80 (N/A) | N/A |
| Navy GCT**** | prior to 10/80 (68) | 68 |
effective 10/80 (N/A) | N/A |
