How to Take the Rice Purity Test: Tips for Accurate Results

The Rice Purity Test doesn't require preparation — it's a checkbox list, not an exam. But there are a few things that genuinely affect whether your score ends up meaningful or just a number you typed out too quickly. Here's how to take it in a way that's actually worth doing.

Before You Start

You'll need about 10-15 minutes and some privacy. Not because the test requires concentration exactly, but because answering honestly is easier when you're not doing it with someone reading over your shoulder. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere, and nothing is stored outside it — so the only audience that matters is you.

One thing worth settling before you start: are you going to answer for your whole life, or just recently? The test asks “have you ever” — not “do you currently” or “in the past year.” If something happened five years ago and hasn't happened since, it still counts. People who answer with their present-day self in mind typically undercount significantly. Decide upfront that you're answering for everything, ever.

Going Through the Questions

1. 1

   Read each question once, then decide

   Don't rush, but don't linger either. Read the question, let your gut react, then move on. Your first instinct after a clear read is almost always your honest answer. The longer you sit with an ambiguous question, the more likely you are to rationalize your way to the wrong answer — usually in the direction of "well, technically no, because..."

2. 2

   When a question is ambiguous, lean toward yes

   Some questions are deliberately broad. If your honest reaction is "yes, kind of" or "yes, once" or "yes, in a loose sense" — check it. The test is designed to count experiences, not to make fine distinctions. Holding out for a perfectly literal "yes" will give you a score that's artificially high. If it applies even loosely, it probably belongs checked.

3. 3

   Don't answer for who you want to be

   This is the subtle version of dishonesty — not outright lying, but quietly skipping things that feel inconsistent with how you see yourself. If something happened but you've moved on from it, it still counts. The test is a historical record, not a character statement. Check what actually happened, not what represents the current you.

4. 4

   Your progress saves automatically

   If you need to pause, close the tab, and come back later — that works. Your answers are saved in this browser until you reset the test or clear your browsing data. No account needed, nothing synced anywhere. Just reopen the page and you'll be where you left off.

Not sure what an item means? Slang and confusing wording, from “kissed horizontally” to MPS, is explained item by item on the questions page.

The One Mistake That Ruins Scores

The most common way to get a score that doesn't feel accurate: answering only for your recent past. People do this instinctively — you're answering now, so you think about now. But the test covers your whole life. High school, early college, any period where your circumstances were different than they are today — all of that counts.

If you take the test and get a score that seems too high (meaning you feel like you've checked too few boxes), the most likely explanation is that you were unconsciously filtering out older experiences. Go back through and ask yourself: not “do I do this now” but “have I ever done this at any point in my life.”

After You Get Your Score

The number is most useful when you share it with someone you trust and actually talk about the differences. You and a close friend with similar backgrounds often score differently — and the questions where you diverge tell you something more interesting than the total.

For context on what your score actually means in terms of ranges and averages, the score guide has the breakdown, including how the score is calculated. For how it compares by age group, see the average score by age page.

And if you rushed through and feel like the score doesn't represent your honest history — retake it. There's no limit, and you can reset your answers to start fresh.