Would You Feel Proud If You Passed Mensa's Test?

In 1977, I took the Armed Forces Qualification Test. (AFQT) and scored 98, which is one of the qualifying scores for Mensa. At first glance, this seemed intriguing, yet I didn’t feel particularly proud or un-proud. My intelligence has been shaped through a combination of genetic endowment from my parents and their nurturing guidance. Their DNA equipped me with the potential for intelligence, which they helped me harness by providing opportunities for education and meaningful life experiences.

Like many other physical traits like my height, hair color, and eye color, I don’t feel any greater sense of accomplishment or pride over this test score compared to other personal characteristics.

I must admit, I’ve never felt a strong inclination to join Mensa. I lean more toward informal camaradeship with people who share my interests and values, finding that formal groups with membership requirements and dues aren’t particularly appealing.

Am I Proud of My Mensa Qualification?

It all depends on the stage of life one is at.

Youthfulness: At a young age, when you're proving yourself, achieving a Mensa qualification can be genuinely uplifting. It can serve as a testament to your cognitive abilities and potential. Many of my friends who were already members told me I would pass with ease which I did, and it was an easy test to ace. Maturity: When one reaches a certain age, especially among peers who have also demonstrated exceptional intelligence, feeling proud might come off as pretentious or needy. Life experiences and personal achievements often hold more value as one matures, overshadowing narrow intelligence tests.

For me, my experiences align more with valuing life experiences and achievements over narrow testing. I feel more proud of accomplishments in my academic journey, personal hobbies, and creative endeavors, like earning a master's degree, keeping my plants alive, and crafting costumes.

As someone who appreciates personal data and detailed documentation, I find joy in genetic results that affirm traits like red hair and high intelligence. Yet, this joy is distinct from a sense of pride. Being Danish or having blood type AB positive are attributes I simply received, not achievements I attained.

Occasionally, I may project a sense of pride regarding my IQ, but primarily when I become impatient and need to remind myself to be respectful.

Summary

In summary, while the Mensa qualification might be a significant milestone for some, personal pride often stems from achievements and experiential growth, rather than genetic or test-based attributes.

To conclude, personal pride is best associated with tangible accomplishments and life experiences, making every individual’s journey unique.