Intertel is an international high-IQ society for adults who meet a very high score requirement on a standardized, supervised intelligence test. It is generally regarded as a selective association for people whose test results place them in roughly the top one percent of the population. Like similar societies, it is based on test performance rather than professional status, academic degree, or occupation.
Overview
Intertel brings together members who share an interest in intellectual exchange, discussion, and networking. It is often described as more selective than better-known high-IQ groups such as Mensa, because its entrance requirement is set at a higher percentile. Such societies do not claim to measure a person’s full ability or character; instead, they use standardized tests as a practical membership screen.
History and name
The organization was originally called The International Legion of Intelligence. The shorter name Intertel became the common form and is widely used today. Members are sometimes called ILIans, a name derived from the society’s original title. As with many private membership groups, its identity has been shaped by both the formal testing requirement and the social purpose of connecting highly scoring individuals.
Membership and activities
To qualify, applicants must typically present a score from a recognized, supervised intelligence test that falls within the society’s accepted threshold. Once admitted, members may participate in publications, local or regional meetings, and informal discussion of topics such as science, philosophy, literature, mathematics, and current events. These activities reflect a broader goal common to high-IQ societies: to provide a forum for ideas, curiosity, and peer interaction.
- Membership basis: supervised standardized IQ testing
- Typical threshold: top one percentile or similar high cutoff
- Original name: The International Legion of Intelligence
- Member nickname: ILIans
Intertel is part of a wider tradition of high-IQ societies that emerged in the twentieth century. These organizations are sometimes viewed as social clubs, sometimes as discussion forums, and sometimes as informal networks for people who enjoy challenging intellectual conversation. Their common feature is selectivity; their differences lie in their thresholds, traditions, and the kinds of activities they emphasize.