An online IQ test that works?

[directhex]

So, someone can't be in Mensa and get a job that get what s/he want in life?

Some of the comments are really not above statements such as 'Computer enthusiasts are all geeks with no lives. I'd rather have a life than spend wasting my time squeezing that last % of performance on my PC". Or, "All models are stupid with no personality". "Lawyers are [...] who [...], professors are [...] who [...], people who fly first class are [...]" . Etc. *Assuming* you know anyone more than one individual who is part of the club, do they even act as you describe?

I am skeptical that there is a larger number of bus drivers in the club, or professors than there are successful businessmen/women.

what does being in a "high iq society" achieve, other than bragging rights?

why would anyone with a typical "smart person" job feel the need to pay monthly fees to advertise the fact?

sure, they've had some famous people over the years as members - including a porn actress and the smartest woman alive - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Members_of_Mensa . but that doesn't remove the organization's role as a way of saying "zomg! look! i haev teh iq!" which really isn't necessary for the majority of people who qualify for membership

[TooNice]

For bragging right, your experience may differ, but I've not seen anyone flaunt their membership.. and who are they going to brag to within their society? Now it may well be that, yes, they get some personal satisfaction out of it. But I certainly see no harm in that, anymore than someone trying to attain a 100% overclock on aircooling for instance. People don't always do things out of absolute necessity.

It does shows they are good at solving certain types of problems. Though you may discredit those tests, very similar tests are being used by various companies when shortlisting job applicants. And why not? Even *if* the tests are easy, being in the top percentile does show that you are at least above average at those tasks. And you could do far worse than an IQ test as measure of intelligence (at least in a short period of time for a large number of people). No it's not the end all, just like a 1st class degree is not going to be the sole determinant of someone's suitability for a given job. And sure, some people may have more impressive feats. But I doubt that it does more harm than good.

And, it does offer some socialising opportunities from their gatherings. Sure, there are many places you can socialise, pubs, LAN party, football club, work colleagues, neighbours party etc. But I say the more options the better. Now I am sure there are a lot of qualified people who aren't interested. Nothing wrong with that, I do not see them in higher or lower regard. Until proven otherwise, I find it rather prejudicial to assume that those who join are all a bunch of uptight academics/showoffs/etc.