The Rice Purity Test was not originally designed as a solo activity. When Rice University students first used it in the 1920s, it was a group ritual, a way for incoming freshmen to bond with each other during orientation week by discovering what they had (and had not) experienced in life so far.
Playing it with friends is, arguably, how it was always meant to be played. Here is everything you need to know to run it well.
The Basic Group Setup
You have two main options when playing with a group:
Option 1: Private Scores, Shared at the End. Everyone takes the test individually and privately, either on their own phone or a shared device. When everyone is done, scores are revealed simultaneously. This keeps the experience judgment-free during the quiz itself, and the big reveal at the end creates a natural conversation starter.
Option 2: Read Aloud Together.r One person reads each question out loud. Everyone marks their own answers privately on paper or their phone. No one shares individual answers during the reading, just at the end. This format works especially well for smaller, closer groups.
Ground Rules to Set Before You Start
Before anyone starts checking boxes, establish a few norms:
- No pressure to share. Anyone who wants to keep their score private should feel completely free to do so. This is not a competition.
- No judgment. A high score is not better than a low score. A low score is not better than a high score. Both directions are just life.
- Questions do not require explanation. Nobody owes the group context for any box they checked or did not check.
- This is for fun. The test is not a compatibility quiz, a moral scorecard, or a character assessment. Treat it accordingly.
Fun Ways to Use the Results
Once everyone has their score, here are some things you can do with it:
Just compare the numbers. Sometimes, the conversation that follows naturally is the best part. Discovering that a friend you thought was totally wild has a score of 78, or that the most reserved person in your group is sitting at 41, creates genuinely surprising moments.
Find out who scored closest to each other. Twin scores often have more in common than they initially expect.
Ask about one question — not all of them. Instead of doing a full debrief, each person can share one question they were surprised to find on the list (not whether they checked it, just that it exists). This keeps the conversation light and interesting.
Use it as a jumping-off point for Would You Rather. After comparing scores, take turns asking each other hypothetical questions inspired by the test’s themes. Keeps the energy going without requiring anyone to disclose personal details.
Best Occasions for Group Play
The Rice Purity Test works particularly well as:
- A college orientation icebreaker (its original purpose)
- A first gathering with a new friend group where you want real conversations quickly
- A game night addition between more structured games
- A road trip activity where everyone is captive, and conversation naturally flows
It works less well in professional settings, large groups where people do not know each other, or any environment where people might feel judged or unsafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rice Purity Test better in a group?
For most people, yes. The test was originally designed as a social activity at Rice University to help students bond during orientation. Playing with friends usually makes the experience more entertaining, less awkward, and more conversation-driven.
Should everyone share their exact score?
Only if they want to. The best group experiences happen when nobody feels pressured to reveal anything personal. Some people enjoy sharing scores openly, while others prefer to keep them private.
Can you play the Rice Purity Test without revealing answers?
Absolutely. Most groups only compare final scores and never discuss which specific boxes were checked.
Is the Rice Purity Test a good icebreaker?
Yes, especially for college students or newer friend groups. It naturally creates stories, reactions, and conversations without needing forced prompts.
What makes the game awkward?
Pressure and judgment. If people feel mocked, interrogated, or compared negatively, the experience quickly stops being fun. Keeping the tone light is the key.
Conclusion
The Rice Purity Test has lasted for generations because it taps into something timeless: people are curious about each other’s experiences. But the real fun rarely comes from the score itself. It comes from the reactions, the stories, the surprising reveals, and the conversations that happen afterward.
Played with the right group and the right attitude, the test becomes less about “purity” and more about connection. It gives people a structured but low-pressure way to talk, laugh, and learn unexpected things about one another.
The most important part is creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable. No pressure, no judgment, and no expectation to explain personal choices. When those ground rules are respected, the Rice Purity Test works exactly the way it was originally intended: as a social bonding activity that turns strangers into friends and friends into closer friends.