Triple Nine Society

The Triple Nine Society (TNS), founded in 1978, is a voluntary association of individuals who have scored at or above the 99.9th percentile on specific IQ tests (or similar) under supervised conditions, which generally correlates to an IQ of 149 or greater (assuming a standard deviation of 16). This compares with Mensa International, the better-known and larger membership high IQ society which admits applicants who score at or above the 98th percentile, which currently correlates with an IQ score of 132 or greater on an IQ test such as the Stanford-Binet which has a standard deviation of 16.

As of August 2012, TNS reports approximately 1010 members residing in approximately 30 countries, with most members residing in the United States. TNS publishes a journal entitled Vidya which contains articles contributed by members conversant with a variety of subjects. Members communicate with one another through email lists, a scheduled weekly IRC chat, and meet at arranged gatherings; European members have established a group in XING.

The Triple Nine Society was founded on democratic principles. TNS states that the group encourages the free expression of member views. The preamble to the Triple Nine Society constitution follows below:

The Triple Nine Society is committed to friendship, communication, the adventure of intellectual exploration, and a greater realization of individual potentials. It neither sanctions the imposition of one person's philosophy on another nor subscribes to any particular philosophy for its members. It will strive to avoid the insularity of mere exclusiveness. The guiding principle of the Society is democratic and collegial rather than hierarchical. The Society will remain open to innovation and evolution.

— Triple Nine Society