Introduction
Founded in July 1989, the Top One Percent Society (TOPS) is one of roughly a dozen high-IQ societies in existence today. The chief criticism of two of the best known societies -- Mensa, which accepts at the 98th percentile minimum and Intertel, which accepts at the 99th percentile minimum -- is that they have been insufficiently intellectual in orientation, focusing mostly on partying. The 99.9 percentile (One-in-a-Thousand Society, Triple Nine) or higher requirement does tend to yield a more satisfying environment, but at the cost of excluding many intellectually oriented people.
The guiding idea in founding the Top One Percent Society was that a 99th percentile cut-off should not be inconsistent with an intellectual orientation provided it was given strong intellectual leadership. The founder and editor, Ronald K. Hoeflin, is an award-winning philosopher who attempts to supply that kind of leadership.
The Top One Percent Society has a monthly 20-page journal (including the front and back covers), In-Genius, to which any subscriber to the society's journal is welcome to submit letters or essays. Occasionally poetry, cartoons, puzzles, or other types of material will also be accepted. The emphasis is on material that is intellectually stimulating. If published, this material will often be followed by the editor's comments. The name and mailing address of the contributor is also given so that other members may offer their private comments. They may also submit public comments for inclusion in the journal. Any topic of interest to intelligent people is open for discussion.
The number of members and subscribers in TOPS varies between 250 and 300, with subscribers located in about 40 U.S. states, Canada, plus ten other countries (England, France, Germany, Australia, etc.).
Some Qualifying Scores
The following are minimum qualifying scores for full membership in the Top One Percent Society.
| Standard intelligence tests: | ||
| Stanford-Binet | 137 IQ | |
| Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test | 135 IQ | |
| College admissions tests: | ||
| SAT (verbal + math aptitude scores) | 1300 (but 1360 after 1995) | |
| ACT (American College Testing program) | 29 | |
| Graduate school admissions tests: | ||
| GRE (verbal + math aptitude scores) | 1300 | |
| Miller Analogies Test | 74 | |
| Mensa admissions tests: | ||
| California Test of Mental Maturity | 99th percentile | |
| Cattell-Verbal | 99th percentile | |
| Tests by Ronald K. Hoeflin: | ||
| Mega Test | 14 right | |
| Titan Test | 10 right | |
| Test by Kevin Langdon: | ||
| Langdon Adult Intelligence Test (no longer scored) | 137 IQ | |
| Test by Phil Bloom: | ||
| Bloom Analogies Test | 1/100 | |
| Tests by Chris Harding: | ||
| Skyscraper | 1/100 | |
| W-87 | 1/100 | |
| Test by Paul Cooijmans: | ||
| Test for Genius, short form (Revision 1996) | Contact Ron Hoeflin for exact value (either 3 or 4 right out of 42) | |
| The Psychological Corporation | ||
| Concept Mastery Test | 135 | |
| Other Tests: | A score at or above the 99th percentile on other tests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. | |
To Join
Send your (printed or typed) name, address, qualifying test name/score, along with a $30 check or money order for the first 12 issues of In-Genius to the address below. If seeking full membership, also send a photocopy of your qualifying score. Those who do not wish to submit a qualifying score or who cannot meet the minimum requirement on an accepted test are welcome to join as subscribers.
Checks or money orders must be made payable in U.S. dollars through any U.S. bank or post office to:
Ronald K. Hoeflin
P.O. Box 539
New York, NY 10101
Back Issues
All back issue of the TOPS journal, In-Genius, are available at $2.50 apiece. If you wish to receive back issues, specify which ones you want and send a check/money order to cover the fee.
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Last updated on June 2, 1997