Rice Purity Test — History & Origins
Plain-language overview: The Rice Purity Test began as a campus icebreaker and informal tradition at Rice University. Over decades, the checklist spread across universities and eventually the internet. Today, countless variations exist, but the core format—100 yes/no questions scored out of 100—remains recognisable. This page summarises the test’s origins, how it evolved online, and clarifies that this site operates independently of Rice University.
Early context: campus culture
In campus settings, new students often look for low-pressure ways to meet peers and swap stories. Purity tests emerged as playful, voluntary checklists of life experiences. At Rice University, the “Rice Purity Test” became a well-known orientation tradition. While details changed from year to year, most versions followed a common shape: roughly 100 neutral prompts, a score that starts at 100, and one point deducted for each item checked.
Like many traditions, tone and interpretation depended on the participants. Some groups treated it as a humorous icebreaker; others used it as a curiosity game. Responsible versions emphasised consent, privacy, and mutual respect—values that matter far more than the score itself.
Going online
As forums, blogs, and later social networks grew, the checklist found new life beyond campus. Online versions proliferated for several reasons:
- Accessibility. A web page lets anyone try the list privately, without group pressure.
- Variations. Communities adapted phrasing and weighting to match local norms or age brackets.
- Visibility. Viral trends on platforms such as TikTok or Reddit can surge interest in the test overnight.
Today, “Rice Purity Test” is a broad term that covers many interpretations. Some sites focus on the original 100 prompts; others add tags such as “dating” or “consent”; still others build alternative versions for different age groups. Regardless of wording, the test is descriptive—not diagnostic—and has no official arbiter.
Independence statement
myricepuritytest.online is an independent project. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Rice University. Our goal is to provide a privacy-first, offline-capable version of the classic test. We encourage respectful usage and remind readers that context, consent, and safety matter more than any score.
For questions about privacy, visit our privacy page. Curious about how your number is interpreted? See the score meaning guide, and when you’re ready for another run, take the interactive test.