Posted by special_k on March 22, 2006, at 17:51:57
In reply to Re: Please be kind? » special_k, posted by AuntieMel on March 22, 2006, at 8:43:08
>> "most people could get into mensa if they studied for the tests..."
> This is untrue. The test is a measure of reasoning ability...The test is a measure of a *certain kind* of reasoning ability. You can practice the specific kinds of reasoning by practicing with different instances of those kinds of tasks. You can learn little heuristic tricks that will help you too. For example... Some of the tasks are mental rotation (if I remember rightly) you can practice and practice and practice mental rotation tasks if you like. You can learn little tricks that make it much easier to spot the odd one out.
My claim isn't that EVERYONE could get up to speed just by sheer slog. My claim is more that... Maybe... 40% of the population could get in by sheer slog of the above mentioned variety.
There are books that have been written on how to get into Mensa. People who have managed to do it via the above technique. They scored a bit above average on the tests pre study and now... They are members (or qualified for membership).
> They take the top 2% so it is impossible for everyone to get in.
Clearly. But then also remember that some people qualify but choose not to join... How much does it cost to sit the Mensa test these days? Some people don't like the thought of those kinds of groups...
poster:special_k
thread:622738
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060322/msgs/623433.html