THE people of Worcester are to be given the chance to test their IQ when Mensa holds its first ever supervised exam in the city.

The session will take place at 11am on Sunday, June 26, at Worcester City Football Club.

Anyone who records an intelligence quotient score that puts them in the top two per cent of the population is eligible for membership of the country's high IQ society.

One such member is Mensa's chairman, Sylvia Herbert of St John's.

"I have lived in Worcester since 1977 and there has not been a test in the city in that time, or, I believe, ever," she said.

"We have had quite a lot of interest from people in Worcester who would like to try for Mensa and we felt it was time to offer locals the chance to take the test in their own area."

The average IQ in Britain, Southern Ireland and the Channel Islands - the areas covered by Mensa - is 100.

The various tests have different levels which people have to achieve in order to be invited to join the society which provides a forum for intelectual exchange.

Mensa, which was founded in 1946, currently has around 25,500 members with almost 2,000 in the West Midlands.

"Joining Mensa isn't about showing off to your friends, it is about opening up a social network by meeting like-minded people," added Ms Herbert.

"We welcome people from all walks of life, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a range of social and cultural events

"Our aims are to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members, and to encourage research into the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence."

More information about intelligence quotient testing can be found on the Mensa website wwwmensa.

org.uk

Anyone interested in taking part in the supervised Mensa test in Worcester should call 01902 772771.

Or, to pre-book a place, e-mail bookatest @mensa.

org.uk