The Rice Purity Test: Questions, Scores & How to Play

Adrien BlancRedacted by Adrien Blanc
Group of friends gathered around taking the Rice Purity Test together as a party game

You've probably seen it trending on TikTok or heard your friends talking about their scores. The Rice Purity Test has become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of people taking it every year. But most people don't know the full story behind this test or that it was originally designed as a group activity at Rice University. This guide covers everything: what the test is, how the scoring works, what all those questions mean, and how to turn it into an entertaining party game.

What Is the Rice Purity Test?

The Rice Purity Test is a 100-question self-graded survey that measures your life experiences across romance, substances, and rule-breaking. Created at Rice University in the 1980s as an orientation week icebreaker, it was designed to help incoming freshmen bond with their peers by comparing life experiences.

Interestingly, the concept of a "purity test" at Rice dates back even further. The Rice Thresher published an early version in 1924, though the modern 100-question format we know today emerged decades later. The test has since spread far beyond Rice's campus, becoming a viral sensation on social media and online forums. It's used as a self-reflection tool, conversation starter, and party game by college students and young adults worldwide.

How Does the Rice Purity Test Work?

The scoring system is simple but counterintuitive at first. You start with a perfect score of 100, representing complete "purity." As you read through each question, you check off any experiences you've had. For every checked item, you subtract one point from your score. So if you've experienced 30 things on the list, your final score is 70.

Higher scores indicate fewer life experiences, while lower scores suggest you've explored more of what the test asks about. The test takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete, depending on how much time you spend reflecting on each question. It's important to remember this is purely for entertainment. There's no moral judgment attached to any score. Whether you score 20 or 95, it's just a snapshot of your experiences so far.

The 100 Rice Purity Test Questions

Our version of the test covers a huge range of experiences: romance, dating, physical intimacy, sexual experiences, alcohol, drugs, substances and more. Check every item that applies to you, then hit the button at the bottom to get your score.

What Do Rice Purity Test Scores Mean?

Understanding what your score actually represents helps put the results in perspective. The test doesn't measure morality, character, or worth as a person. It's just a numerical representation of how many items on a specific list you've experienced. Here's how the score ranges typically break down:

Score Breakdown Table

Score RangeLabelWhat It Means
97-100Very pureMinimal life experiences checked off
91-96Relatively pureEarly romantic experiences
77-90Average purityDating, relationships, light experimentation
61-76Below averageSignificant college-level experiences
45-60ExperiencedWide range of experiences across categories
25-44Very experiencedExtensive life experiences
0-24Boundary-pusherNearly everything on the list

These ranges aren't official. They've developed organically through years of people sharing and comparing results online. The labels are descriptive, not prescriptive. Scoring in the "very experienced" range doesn't mean you've lived recklessly, just like scoring in the "very pure" range doesn't mean you've lived cautiously.

What Is a Good Rice Purity Score?

This is the most-searched question about the test, and the honest answer is: there isn't one. The whole concept of "good" or "bad" misses the point of the test, which is self-reflection and conversation, not competition.

That said, if you're curious about averages, most sources cite a global average score of around 63. Rice University students specifically tend to score higher, averaging around 72. Different age groups show different patterns too. High school students typically score 80-90, college freshmen cluster around 75-85, and college seniors often land in the 55-70 range as they accumulate more experiences during their university years.

Your score exists in context. A 50 might feel low to a sheltered 18-year-old, but perfectly normal for a 25-year-old who's been in the world for a while. The test was designed for college-age students, so older adults naturally tend to score lower simply because they've had more time to accumulate life experiences.

How to Play the Rice Purity Test at a Party

Here's where things get interesting. Every guide online treats this as a solitary quiz you take alone on your phone. But the test was originally a group activity at Rice orientation. Playing it with friends transforms it from a forgettable online quiz into a memorable party experience.

The Classic Group Read-Aloud

One person reads each question aloud while everyone else marks their answers privately on paper or phones. People react, laugh, and exchange knowing glances without revealing specific answers. At the end, everyone shares their final score (but not which specific questions they checked). This works best with 4-10 people who already know each other reasonably well.

The fun comes from the group's reactions as certain questions are read. You'll hear gasps, nervous laughter, and the occasional "Wait, people actually do that?" It creates bonding moments without forcing anyone to overshare.

The Drink If You Have Variation

Turn it into one of those drinking games for parties by taking a sip every time you check off a question. Important warning: the test has 100 questions, so use very small sips or select a subset of 20-30 questions unless you want everyone completely wasted. This variation works best with a group that's comfortable discussing life experiences openly.

You can make it spicier by having people take drinks for other players if they think that person has done the activity. If you're right, they drink. If you're wrong, you drink. This creates a guessing game element similar to Never Have I Ever.

The Speed Round

For a quicker party version, select 20 of the most entertaining questions instead of slogging through all 100. Pick questions that match your group's vibe. Keep it lighter (romance and dating categories) for mixed friend groups who don't know each other super well. Lean into the spicier questions (intimacy, substances, rule-breaking) for close friends who are comfortable getting real.

You can even theme your speed round: "College Experiences Only" or "Wildest Questions Only" or "Wholesome Section Only." This lets you customize the experience for different groups and occasions.

Rice Purity Test: Tips for a Fun Experience

Be honest when taking the test, even if you're keeping your specific answers private. The whole point falls apart if people aren't truthful. It's more fun when scores actually reflect real experiences. That said, you're never obligated to share your score or discuss specific questions. The beauty of the test is you control how much you reveal.

Don't pressure anyone to share their results. Some people love comparing scores, others prefer keeping it private. Both approaches are fine. Remember this is entertainment, not a character assessment or compatibility test. A high score doesn't make someone boring, and a low score doesn't make someone reckless.

The test works great as an icebreaker for new friend groups or college orientation events, which is literally what it was designed for. It gives people permission to talk about experiences they might not otherwise discuss in initial conversations. Pair it with other party games for a full game night. Mix it with Truth or Dare, Would You Rather, or other social games for variety.

If you're looking for more party game options beyond the Rice Purity Test, check out some of these mobile party game apps that bring the fun without the potentially awkward personal questions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rice Purity Test?

The Rice Purity Test is a 100-question self-graded survey created at Rice University that measures life experiences across romance, substances, and rule-breaking. You start at 100 and lose a point for each experience you've had. It's used as a fun icebreaker and party game.

What is a good Rice Purity Test score?

There's no objectively good or bad score. The global average is around 63, while college freshmen typically score 75-85. The test is meant for entertainment and self-reflection, not moral judgment.

How many questions are on the Rice Purity Test?

The original Rice Purity Test has 100 questions covering topics like romance, physical intimacy, substance use, and rule-breaking. Some newer versions add updated questions about social media and dating apps.

Can you play the Rice Purity Test as a group?

Yes! The test was originally designed as a group icebreaker during college orientation at Rice University. You can read questions aloud, have everyone mark their answers privately, then share scores at the end for a fun party activity.

What does a Rice Purity Test score of 50 mean?

A score of 50 means you've checked off about half of the 100 experiences on the test. This puts you in the experienced range, suggesting a wide variety of life experiences across the test's categories.

Is the Rice Purity Test appropriate for all ages?

The test includes questions about sexual experiences, substance use, and illegal activities, so it's best suited for adults and older teens. Parents should review the questions before allowing younger teens to take it.