The Original Purpose: College Bonding
The Rice Purity Test has a direct, documented connection to college life. It was first published by the Rice Thresher student newspaper at Rice University in 1924 — a student-created survey for students. Its stated purpose was to help new students bond during orientation week.
According to the Thresher, the test "has historically served as a segue from O-Week to true college life at Rice" — a voluntary, lighthearted way for incoming students to break the ice and find common ground with new peers.
That college bonding function remains its most common use today, even as the test has spread far beyond Rice University.
What Do College Students Score?
Based on widely shared self-reported data from online communities, here are typical score ranges for different college demographics:
| Stage | Typical Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming freshman (18) | 70–90 | Wide variation. Many arrive with significant experience; some arrive with very little. |
| After freshman year | 60–82 | The first year of college often brings several new firsts. |
| Junior/Senior (20–22) | 50–75 | More stable. Most significant experiences have occurred. |
| Graduate students (22+) | 40–65 | Tend to score lower with more accumulated experience. |
These are informal observations from self-reported online data — not scientific statistics.
How to Use It as a Group Icebreaker
The traditional college use of the Rice Purity Test is as a group activity. Here's the classic format and some tips for making it work well:
Everyone takes it independently
Have each person take the test separately — either on their own device or with a printed copy. Make sure everyone answers honestly, not trying to impress.
Share scores (not answers)
Each person reveals their final score number. Nobody is required to say which items they checked — just the total. This keeps it comfortable.
Discuss surprises
The fun comes from the variation in scores. "You scored 92?!" "You scored 47?!" This is where genuine conversation and bonding happen.
Keep it light and non-judgmental
The activity only works as a bonding exercise if everyone feels safe. No shaming for high or low scores. The whole point is connection, not judgment.
Retaking Year After Year
One of the enduring traditions around the test is taking it at the start of each college year to track how your score changes. Because scores can only decrease (you can't unchave an experience), watching your score drop from year to year is a reflection of your personal growth and exploration during college.
🌱 Freshman year
Score: 82. Nervous, excited, limited experience beyond high school dating and a few parties.
🎓 Senior year
Score: 56. Four years of relationships, experiences, adventures — and a few misadventures. A different person, a different score.
College-Specific Questions
Completely normal. Even within the same friend group, scores can range from 90 to 40. People have very different backgrounds, values, and experiences. Score variation within a group is the norm, not the exception.
Not necessarily. A dropping score simply means you're having new experiences — most of which are normal, legal, and healthy parts of adult life. If specific experiences on the list are causing you genuine concern, that's worth reflecting on, but the score change itself is not a warning sign.
Sure — that's essentially how it was originally done. Just make sure everyone participating is comfortable, no one is pressured to share more than they want to, and the activity remains the lighthearted bonding exercise it was designed to be.