How to Play the Rice Purity Test With Friends: Rules, Etiquette and Ideas

The Rice Purity Test was never meant to be taken alone. At Rice University it began as a group activity during Orientation Week, a way for strangers to become friends. Played well, it's one of the best icebreakers around. Played badly, it's how a fun night turns awkward. Here's how to host it the right way.

This guide is for adults 18 and over. The Rice Purity Test includes mature questions and isn't suitable for anyone younger.

Why the Rice Purity Test works as an icebreaker

The version presented by The Rice Thresher describes the test as "a voluntary opportunity for O-week groups to bond". There's real psychology behind that. In 1997, psychologist Arthur Aron and his colleagues showed that pairs of strangers who took turns answering gradually more personal questions felt noticeably closer afterwards. The study became famous as "the 36 questions", and the New York Times later popularized it in a Modern Love essay.

The purity test follows the same pattern, which is why it's such a good conversation starter:

• It starts gently. "Held hands romantically?" is an easy first step before anything more personal.
• Everyone takes part equally. Each person answers the same questions, so nobody is put on the spot alone.
• It produces stories. Questions like skinny-dipping or running from the police come with anecdotes, and anecdotes are what bond a group.
• It invites friendly comparison. People love seeing where they land, a habit psychologists call social comparison.

Before you start: is this the right group?

Most awkward purity-test moments happen before the first question. Run through this checklist first:

• Everyone is 18 or over. No exceptions. The test contains adult questions.
• Everyone opts in. Ask; don't spring it on people. "Anyone want to do the Rice Purity Test?" is better than "Okay, everyone open this link."
• The mood is relaxed. Early evening with snacks beats 2 a.m. after a long night out.
• The mix is right. Skip it with coworkers, managers, teachers, family members, a new partner's friends or anyone you wouldn't want knowing personal details about you.
• Values are respected. If some friends are religious or private, choose a lighter game or make it clear that passing is completely normal.

How to play the Rice Purity Test, step by step

1. Share the link. Send ricepuritytesthq.com to the group chat so everyone takes the same original 100-question version. Different sites use different lists, which makes scores less comparable.
2. Take it privately. Everyone answers on their own phone, without looking over shoulders. Private answers are more honest and far less stressful.
3. Pick a reveal style. Count down and say scores out loud together, or use one of the anonymous options below.
4. Talk about the list, not the people. "Which question made you laugh?" and "Which one feels outdated?" keep things fun. "So which boxes did you check?" doesn't.
5. Close the tabs. When you're done, you're done. Scores stay in the room and nobody screenshots anyone else's result.

Five house rules that keep it fun

1. Opt in only. Nobody plays because they feel they have to.
2. Passing is always allowed. "I'll keep mine to myself" is a complete answer, and nobody asks why.
3. Share scores, not answers. The number is enough. Which items someone checked is their business.
4. No screenshots of other people. Your score is yours to post. Theirs isn't.
5. No ranking people. High, low or in the middle, nobody is better or worse. Laugh with each other, not at each other.

Fun variations to try

Anonymous reveal

Everyone writes their score on an identical slip of paper and drops it in a bowl. Read them out one by one, and let the group guess who's who, or don't guess at all and just enjoy the spread. Perfect for groups who don't know each other well yet.

Guess my score

Before anyone takes the test, each person writes down a prediction for every player, including themselves. Closest guess wins. It's usually more revealing (and funnier) than the scores themselves.

Group average

Add up the anonymous scores and divide by the number of players. Then compare your group to the ranges in our Rice Purity Test score chart. It's a fun way to get a "result" without singling anyone out.

Then and now

Take the test together and agree to retake it in a year, at a reunion, a birthday trip or graduation. Rice students have long used the test to track how their experiences change through college, and it works for any group of friends.

The long-distance version

On a video call, everyone takes the test at the same time, then sends their score in a private message to the host or votes in an anonymous poll in your group chat. The host reveals the results together.

Lighter alternatives for mixed groups

If the group isn't right for the purity test, classic icebreakers like Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather or a gentle round of Never Have I Ever (with tame prompts) give a similar "getting to know you" buzz with much less personal ground.

How to handle awkward moments

Even with good rules, a comparison can sometimes land badly. A few simple moves help:

• When scores are far apart: say it lightly and move on, for example "Wow, we really lived different lives!" Different scores reflect age, background and opportunity, not character.
• When someone gets quiet: change the topic or switch to a different game. Later, check in privately: "Hey, was that okay for you?"
• When someone pushes for details: step in with the house rules. "We're only sharing scores, remember?" protects everyone, including the person asking.
• When a question brings up something painful: stop the game. Nobody's score is more important than how they feel.

Sharing scores online

Posting your number on Instagram, TikTok or in a group chat is part of the fun for many people. Keep it simple and safe:

• Post only your own score. Ask before including anyone else's number, even in a group photo.
• Share the number, not the checklist. A list of which boxes you checked stays online much longer than a night out.
• Use close-friends lists or private stories if you'd rather not share with everyone.
• Think about who's watching. Future employers, family and younger followers can all see public posts.

Want to know the story behind the questions you just answered? Read the history of the Rice Purity Test, from a 1924 student newspaper survey to the TikTok trend. And if someone in the group asks whether online "Am I gay?" quizzes work, we've covered that too: how accurate are gay tests?

Frequently asked questions

How do you play the Rice Purity Test with friends?

Everyone opens the test on their own phone, answers privately, and then the group reveals scores together, either openly or anonymously on slips of paper. Talk about the questions and the funny moments, not about who checked what.

Is the Rice Purity Test a drinking game?

No. It was designed as a conversation activity, not a drinking game. Mixing heavy drinking with personal questions makes it easier to overshare or upset someone, so keep the drinks moderate and the mood relaxed.

How many people do you need to play?

Any number from two upwards works. Small groups of three to eight close friends are ideal, because everyone gets a turn to talk and people feel comfortable sharing.

Can you play the Rice Purity Test online?

Yes. Share the link in your group chat or on a video call, let everyone take the test on their own device, and use an anonymous poll or a direct message to the host to collect scores.

What if someone doesn't want to share their score?

That's completely fine and should never be questioned. Passing is always allowed. An anonymous reveal, where nobody's name is attached to a score, lets everyone join in without pressure.

Is the Rice Purity Test appropriate for work or school events?

No. The test includes personal questions about relationships, intimacy and substances and is meant for adults 18 and over. It belongs with close friends who choose to play, not at work, in class or with family.