Members of Mensa China gather in Beijing. It emerged in late 2007 and was formally recognized as an emerging Mensa group in 2011. Zhu Xingxin / China Daily

Some famous Mensa members include (clockwise) Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn, Quentin Tarantino, Geena Davis, Isaac Asimov and Norman Schwarzkopf. Provided to China Daily

Mensa's ideals are often put to the test, reports Shan Juan in Beijing.

Yang Bingyang is a busy woman. Her roles include Internet sensation, magazine columnist, author and television host. She also owns an online cosmetics shop. The 28-year-old Sichuan native is highly protective of her public image and seldom leaves home without applying makeup and often carries false eyelashes in case she's asked to pose for press photographers unexpectedly.

However, Yang has yet another role. Perhaps surprisingly in a country where brains and beauty are often regarded as being mutually exclusive, she is also chair of the Chinese branch of Mensa International, the society for people with high IQs.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 1946, Mensa has around 110,000 members in more than 100 countries and regions and aims to provide a forum for intellectual exchange among its members.

Eligibility is restricted to those able to attain a score within the upper 2 percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test. Although the society doesn't disclose its criteria by region, the required IQ level for people on the Chinese mainland should be at least 135.

Chinese hopefuls began applying to Mensa International for membership in 2005 and Mensa China emerged in late 2007. The branch was formally recognized as an emerging Mensa group in 2011.

It usually takes at least 12 months to become a full national group, and factors - including membership numbers, media exposure, projects to keep members on board, and activities - are evaluated before new branches are granted full status.

In China, those who want to join must first apply online and later take an organized examination, usually held once a month. It costs 260 yuan ($41) to take the test. Applicants are only allowed to take the test twice and anyone who fails it on both occasions is immediately disbarred from taking it again. Successful applicants pay an annual membership fee of 265 yuan.