What Is the Rice Purity Test? Everything You Need to Know

The Rice Purity Test is a self-graded survey that originated at Rice University in Houston, Texas. It was initially created as a way for incoming freshmen to bond over shared (or not shared) experiences.

The test consists of 100 questions covering a wide range of life experiences, from innocent activities like holding hands to more adventurous experiences. Your score is calculated based on how many experiences you haven't had, with a higher score indicating more "purity" or innocence. Curious how you compare? Check out our article on average purity scores by age.

History of the Test

The original Rice Purity Test was created in the 1980s by students at Rice University as an orientation activity. Over time, it spread to other universities and eventually went viral online. It is one of the oldest and most well-known online personality tests still in active use.

How Scoring Works

Each question you answer "yes" to reduces your purity score. A score of 100 means you've never done any of the listed activities, while a score closer to 0 means you've experienced almost everything on the list.

What Your Score Means

Scores between 97-100 are extremely rare and indicate very limited life experiences. Most college students score between 40-70, which represents a healthy range of experiences. Scores below 20 are also uncommon and suggest a very adventurous lifestyle. For a deeper breakdown, read our score breakdown by age group.

Why Take It?

The test is primarily for entertainment and social bonding. It's a fun conversation starter that can help people connect over shared experiences or laugh about their differences. Ready to try? Take the Rice Purity Test now.