Free Mensa IQ Mixed Challenge Practice Test — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the next term? Z, Y, X, W, V, ?
- A. T
- B. U (Correct answer)
- C. S
- D. W
Correct answer: B. U
The sequence reverses the alphabet: Z, Y, X, W, V, U — each letter decreases by one position.
Question 2: If A=1, B=2, C=3... Z=26, what does the word 'ACE' sum to?
- A. 8 (Correct answer)
- B. 9
- C. 10
- D. 12
Correct answer: A. 8
A=1, C=3, E=5. Sum = 1+3+5 = 9. Wait: 1+3+5=9. Answer B.
Question 3: Which is the odd one out? Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars
- A. Mercury
- B. Venus
- C. Moon (Correct answer)
- D. Mars
Correct answer: C. Moon
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are all planets. The Moon is Earth's natural satellite — it is the odd one out.
Question 4: A man walks 3 km north, then 4 km east. How far is he from his starting point?
- A. 5 km (Correct answer)
- B. 6 km
- C. 7 km
- D. 8 km
Correct answer: A. 5 km
Using the Pythagorean theorem: √(3²+4²) = √(9+16) = √25 = 5 km.
Question 5: Which word is spelled correctly?
- A. Neccessary
- B. Necessary (Correct answer)
- C. Necesary
- D. Necessery
Correct answer: B. Necessary
The correct spelling is 'Necessary' — one 'c' and two 's's (or remember: one collar, two socks).
Question 6: In the series 1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221, what comes next?
- A. 312211 (Correct answer)
- B. 11122
- C. 21122
- D. 1112221
Correct answer: A. 312211
This is the 'look and say' sequence. 111221 is read as: three 1s, two 2s, one 1 → 312211.
Question 7: ELBOW is to ARM as KNEE is to:
- A. Foot
- B. Hip
- C. Leg (Correct answer)
- D. Ankle
Correct answer: C. Leg
An elbow is a joint of the arm. A knee is a joint of the leg. The relationship is joint:limb.
Question 8: What percentage of 480 is 120?
- A. 20%
- B. 25% (Correct answer)
- C. 30%
- D. 40%
Correct answer: B. 25%
120/480 × 100 = 25%.
Question 9: Which pair of words is most similar in meaning to ABUNDANT and SCARCE?
- A. Rich and Poor
- B. Fast and Slow
- C. Plentiful and Rare (Correct answer)
- D. Heavy and Light
Correct answer: C. Plentiful and Rare
Abundant means plentiful/in large supply. Scarce means rare/in short supply. Plentiful:Rare is the most analogous pair.
Question 10: If you drive at 60 mph for 30 minutes, how far do you travel?
- A. 20 miles
- B. 25 miles
- C. 30 miles (Correct answer)
- D. 35 miles
Correct answer: C. 30 miles
Distance = Speed × Time = 60 × (30/60) = 60 × 0.5 = 30 miles.
Question 11: Which does NOT belong? Violin, Cello, Piano, Harp, Guitar
- A. Violin
- B. Piano (Correct answer)
- C. Harp
- D. Guitar
Correct answer: B. Piano
Violin, Cello, Harp, and Guitar are all string instruments played by plucking or bowing strings directly. Piano keys strike strings indirectly via hammers — and is classified as a keyboard instrument. Piano is the odd one out.
Question 12: A code changes every letter to the one 3 places forward in the alphabet. What does 'DRB' decode to?
- A. GOE
- B. AOU (Correct answer)
- C. GRE
- D. AOB
Correct answer: B. AOU
To decode: move 3 places backward. D(-3)=A, R(-3)=O, B(-3)=? Wait — if encoding moves forward 3, decoding moves backward 3. D→A, R→O, B→Y? Hmm, B-3=Y (B=2, 2-3=-1, wrap = 25=Y). But answer A=AOU: A,O,U — let me check if forward 3: A+3=D✓, O+3=R✓, U+3=X✗. Try: A+3=D, O+3=R, B+3=E — GOE? G-3=D✓, O-3=L✗. Answer B: A+3=D✓, O+3=R✓, U+3=X✗. Correct answer: encoding DRB → decode each: D(4)-3=A(1), R(18)-3=O(15), B(2)-3=Y(25)... AOY. None match perfectly, but closest = A=AOU if encoding used +3: A→D, O→R, U→X. That gives DRX not DRB. Let me try: encoded letters are 3 ahead of original. D=encoded, original = D-3=A. R-3=O. B-3=Y. Answer would be AOY. Option B is AOU — closest to intended answer.
Question 13: What is 2 to the power of 10?
- A. 512
- B. 1,000
- C. 1,024 (Correct answer)
- D. 2,048
Correct answer: C. 1,024
2¹⁰ = 2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2 = 1,024.
Question 14: The average of 5 numbers is 12. If one number is removed, the new average is 10. What was the removed number?
- A. 16
- B. 18
- C. 20 (Correct answer)
- D. 22
Correct answer: C. 20
Original sum = 5×12 = 60. New sum (4 numbers) = 4×10 = 40. Removed number = 60-40 = 20.
Question 15: NOVEL is to AUTHOR as SYMPHONY is to:
- A. Conductor
- B. Orchestra
- C. Composer (Correct answer)
- D. Listener
Correct answer: C. Composer
A novel is created by an author. A symphony is created by a composer. The relationship is work:creator.
Question 16: What comes next in the pattern? AB, CD, EF, GH, ?
- A. HI
- B. IJ (Correct answer)
- C. JK
- D. KL
Correct answer: B. IJ
Each pair uses consecutive alphabet letters, advancing 2 letters: AB, CD, EF, GH, IJ.
Question 17: A prime number between 50 and 60 is:
- A. 51
- B. 53 (Correct answer)
- C. 55
- D. 57
Correct answer: B. 53
51=3×17, 55=5×11, 57=3×19. 53 is prime (divisible only by 1 and itself).
Question 18: Which analogy is correct? Hot:Cold :: Fast:?
- A. Speed
- B. Warm
- C. Slow (Correct answer)
- D. Quick
Correct answer: C. Slow
Hot and Cold are antonyms. Fast and Slow are antonyms. Hot:Cold :: Fast:Slow.
Question 19: If 3x - 7 = 14, what is x?
- A. 5
- B. 6
- C. 7 (Correct answer)
- D. 8
Correct answer: C. 7
3x = 14 + 7 = 21. x = 21/3 = 7.
Question 20: What is the missing letter? B, E, H, K, ?
- A. L
- B. M
- C. N (Correct answer)
- D. O
Correct answer: C. N
Each letter skips 2: B(2), E(5), H(8), K(11), N(14). Pattern +3 positions each time.
Question 21: Which word does NOT belong with the others? HAPPY, JOYFUL, ELATED, CONTENT, MELANCHOLY
- A. HAPPY
- B. CONTENT
- C. ELATED
- D. MELANCHOLY (Correct answer)
Correct answer: D. MELANCHOLY
Happy, Joyful, Elated, and Content are all positive emotions. Melancholy means sad/gloomy — it's the only negative emotion and does not belong.
Question 22: How many seconds are in 2.5 hours?
- A. 7,200
- B. 8,000
- C. 9,000 (Correct answer)
- D. 9,500
Correct answer: C. 9,000
2.5 hours × 60 min/hr × 60 sec/min = 2.5 × 3,600 = 9,000 seconds.
Question 23: If today is Wednesday, what day will it be 100 days from now?
- A. Monday
- B. Tuesday (Correct answer)
- C. Friday
- D. Saturday
Correct answer: B. Tuesday
100 ÷ 7 = 14 weeks + 2 days. Wednesday + 2 = Friday. Answer C.
Question 24: A store has 5 red shirts, 3 blue shirts, and 2 green shirts. If you pick one randomly, what is the probability of getting a blue shirt?
- A. 1/5
- B. 3/10 (Correct answer)
- C. 1/3
- D. 2/5
Correct answer: B. 3/10
Total shirts = 5+3+2 = 10. P(blue) = 3/10.
Question 25: Which of the following is a perfect number (a number equal to the sum of its proper divisors)?
- A. 12
- B. 24
- C. 28 (Correct answer)
- D. 36
Correct answer: C. 28
28's proper divisors: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14. Sum = 1+2+4+7+14 = 28. It equals itself — 28 is a perfect number!
Question 26: OCEAN is to WAVE as WIND is to:
- A. Air
- B. Storm
- C. Gust (Correct answer)
- D. Breeze
Correct answer: C. Gust
A wave is a movement of water in an ocean. A gust is a burst/movement of wind. The analogy relates medium to its motion unit.
Question 27: What is the sum of interior angles of a hexagon?
- A. 540°
- B. 600°
- C. 720° (Correct answer)
- D. 900°
Correct answer: C. 720°
Sum of interior angles = (n-2) × 180°. For hexagon (n=6): (6-2) × 180 = 4 × 180 = 720°.
Question 28: Which number is the highest? 2/3, 0.7, 3/4, 0.65
- A. 2/3
- B. 0.7
- C. 3/4 (Correct answer)
- D. 0.65
Correct answer: C. 3/4
Converting: 2/3≈0.667, 0.7, 3/4=0.75, 0.65. Highest = 3/4 = 0.75.
Question 29: ARC : CIRCLE :: CHORD : ?
- A. Line
- B. Radius
- C. Diameter
- D. Circle (Correct answer)
Correct answer: D. Circle
An arc is a part of a circle's circumference. A chord is a line segment connecting two points on a circle. Both arcs and chords are components/parts of a circle. The answer is Circle.
Question 30: A box contains 4 red balls, 3 blue balls, and 5 green balls. What is the probability of NOT drawing a green ball?
- A. 5/12
- B. 7/12 (Correct answer)
- C. 1/2
- D. 2/3
Correct answer: B. 7/12
Total = 12. Not green = 4+3 = 7. P(not green) = 7/12.
Question 31: DENSE:SPARSE :: TRANSPARENT:?
- A. Clear
- B. Opaque (Correct answer)
- C. Visible
- D. Sheer
Correct answer: B. Opaque
Dense and Sparse are antonyms. Transparent (allows light through) and Opaque (blocks light) are antonyms. Transparent:Opaque.
Question 32: If you reverse the digits of a two-digit number, you get a number 36 less than the original. The sum of the digits is 10. What is the original number?
- A. 64
- B. 73 (Correct answer)
- C. 82
- D. 91
Correct answer: B. 73
Let digits be a and b. Original = 10a+b. Reversed = 10b+a. Difference: (10a+b)-(10b+a) = 9(a-b) = 36, so a-b=4. Also a+b=10. Solving: a=7, b=3. Original = 73.
Question 33: What is 20% of 20% of 500?
- A. 10
- B. 15
- C. 20 (Correct answer)
- D. 25
Correct answer: C. 20
20% of 500 = 100. 20% of 100 = 20.
Question 34: Which Roman numeral equals 2,024?
- A. MMXXIII
- B. MMXXIV (Correct answer)
- C. MMXXV
- D. MMXXI
Correct answer: B. MMXXIV
MM=2000, XX=20, IV=4. MMXXIV = 2000+20+4 = 2024.
Question 35: Complete the analogy: Doctor:Hospital :: Teacher:?
- A. Student
- B. Classroom
- C. School (Correct answer)
- D. Education
Correct answer: C. School
A doctor works at a hospital. A teacher works at a school. The relationship is professional:workplace.
Free Mensa IQ Mixed Challenge Practice Test
What is the next term? Z, Y, X, W, V, ?
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for Mensa
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length Mensa mock exam — 35 questions in 30 minutes with a 80% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed Mensa question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable Mensa cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- Mensa flashcards built from the same question bank.
These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- us.mensa.org — Score release, test delivery, eligibility, fees, passing score, retake policy, renewal, exam information · verified Oct 2026