So you’re sitting across from someone new. The coffee is warm, the conversation is flowing, and you’re thinking, “I wonder what their number is.”
No, not that number. The Rice Purity Test number.
If you’ve ever been tempted to pull up that 100-question quiz on a first date but then chickened out because you didn’t want to seem weird or too forward, you’re not alone. Thousands of people have been in the same situation. The Rice Purity Test is one of those fascinating little tools that can either spark the most interesting conversation of the evening or make things awkward real fast.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be awkward at all.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through exactly how to bring up the Rice Purity Test on a first date in a way that feels natural, fun, and genuinely connecting. Whether you’re trying to learn more about your date’s personality, break the ice, or just add some playful energy to the night, this is for you.
Let’s get into it.
What Is the Rice Purity Test, Anyway?
Before we talk about how to bring it up, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
The Rice Purity Test is a self-graded survey that started at Rice University. It originally had 100 questions covering a wide range of life experiences, everything from holding hands to more… adventurous stuff. The lower your score, the more experiences you’ve had. The higher your score, the more “pure” or innocent you’ve been in life.
It became a popular thing among college students as a way to get to know each other, compare life experiences, and just have a laugh. But over time, it turned into a mainstream conversation starter, and honestly? It works really well on dates.
Here’s why people love it:
- It opens doors to stories and experiences without forcing them
- It creates a safe, playful environment to share personal things
- It’s lighthearted enough that no one feels put on the spot
- It reveals personality and values in a subtle, natural way
Think of it less as an interrogation and more as a party game that also happens to tell you a lot about a person.
Why the Rice Purity Test Actually Works on First Dates
First dates can be nerve-wracking. You’re trying to be charming, interesting, and not spill your drink all at the same time. Small talk about jobs and hometowns only goes so far. At some point, you want to actually connect with this person.
That’s where the Rice Purity Test comes in.
When done right, it acts like a conversation bridge. You’re not asking someone to bare their soul right away. You’re playing a quiz together, reacting to questions, laughing at unexpected answers, and slowly learning about each other in a pressure-free way.
It also levels the playing field. Both of you are taking the test, so neither person feels like they’re being interviewed. It’s a shared experience, and shared experiences are exactly what create connection on a first date.
Real talk: one of the best first dates I’ve ever heard about started with someone casually saying, “Hey, have you ever taken the Rice Purity Test? I was thinking we could take it together and see what happens.” By the end of the night, they were laughing so hard they forgot to check the time.
That’s the magic of it.
How to Bring Up the Rice Purity Test Without Making It Weird
Okay, here’s the part you actually came for. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Pick the Right Moment
Timing is everything. Don’t open with it the second you sit down, that’s a bit jarring. Let the conversation warm up first. Get comfortable with each other. Once you’re both relaxed and the energy feels playful, that’s your window.
Good moments to bring it up:
- After you’ve been talking for 20–30 minutes and the mood is light
- When there’s a natural lull in the conversation
- If you’re already talking about funny or nostalgic experiences
- When you’re both looking at your phones anyway (maybe scrolling, waiting for food)
Avoid bringing it up when things feel serious or intense. The test works best in a fun, chill atmosphere — not in the middle of a deep conversation about life goals.
2. Frame It as a Fun Activity, Not a Test
The word “test” can sound intimidating. Nobody wants to feel like they’re being evaluated on a first date. So the way you introduce it matters a lot.
Instead of saying, “Let’s take the Rice Purity Test so I can see what kind of person you are.”
Try something like: “Okay, random question, have you ever taken the Rice Purity Test? It’s this hilarious quiz, and I feel like we should take it together right now.”
See the difference? One feels like a judgment. The other feels like an invitation to have fun together. Keep your tone light and a little silly. Laugh about it yourself first. That sets the tone for how they’ll respond.
3. Take It Together (Don’t Just Quiz Them)
This is the biggest mistake people make: they pull up the test and essentially put their date in the hot seat. That’s not fun. That’s uncomfortable.
Instead, take the test at the same time. Go through the questions together, react out loud, share your own answers, and let them share theirs at their own pace. Nobody should feel pressured to answer anything they don’t want to.
A good rhythm looks like this:
- Read the question out loud (or let them read it)
- Say your reaction first (“Oh wow, okay, yes or no for me is…”)
- Give them space to respond
- Laugh, react, maybe ask a follow-up if they seem open to it
- Move on to the next one
This back-and-forth keeps it feeling like a conversation, not an interrogation.
4. Don’t Judge React With Curiosity
Whatever number your date ends up with, high or low, keep your reaction neutral and curious, not shocked or judgmental. Someone with a low score isn’t a red flag. Someone with a high score isn’t boring. The number itself means very little. What matters is the stories behind the answers.
If something surprises you, respond with curiosity: “Oh, interesting! What’s the story there?” rather than “Wait, really?? You’ve done that?!”
People open up when they feel safe. The moment they sense judgment, they shut down, and the whole magic of the moment disappears.
5. Make It About Stories, Not Scores
The score is just the starting point. The real gold is in the conversations that happen around the questions. When a question gets an interesting reaction, follow it. Ask about it. Share your own story.
Maybe question 47 makes them laugh awkwardly. That’s your cue. “Okay, I need to know what that reaction was about.” Let the quiz guide you into real, personal, genuine conversations. That’s what turns a first date into a great first date.
Practical Tips to Keep Things Comfortable and Fun
Here are some quick do’s and don’ts to keep things running smoothly:
Do:
- Keep your own energy light and non-judgmental
- Laugh at yourself and your own answers first
- Skip questions that feel too personal, too soon
- Let silence happen; not every moment needs to be filled
- Follow up interesting reactions with genuine curiosity
Don’t:
- Make a big deal out of their score
- Share their answers with anyone else (that’s a trust thing)
- Push them to answer questions they skip
- Turn it into a competition about who’s “more experienced.”
- Use it as a sneaky way to judge whether they’re “your type.”
The whole point is connection, not comparison.
What Their Score Might (and Might Not) Tell You
Let’s be honest for a second. The Rice Purity Test is a fun conversation starter, not a personality assessment tool. A score doesn’t define who someone is or whether you’ll be compatible.
A person with a score of 30 might be one of the most thoughtful, kind, and emotionally mature people you’ll ever meet. A person with a score of 95 might be adventurous and spontaneous in ways the test just doesn’t measure.
What the test can do is open conversations about values, boundaries, past experiences, and what someone is comfortable talking about. Those things matter on a first date. But always read the person in front of you, not just the number on the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it appropriate to bring up the Rice Purity Test on a first date?
Yes, if done the right way! The key is keeping it lighthearted and framing it as a fun activity rather than a serious evaluation. When both people are comfortable and the mood is playful, it can be a fantastic icebreaker.
What if my date has never heard of the Rice Purity Test?
That’s actually a great opportunity! Give them a quick, fun explanation: “It’s basically this quiz from a university where you answer yes or no to a bunch of life experiences and get a score. The lower the score, the more things you’ve done. It’s hilarious.” Then ask if they want to try it together.
What if the test makes things awkward?
If you sense discomfort, just laugh it off and change the subject. Something like, “Okay, that got intense fast, let’s skip that one,” keeps things light. Never force the conversation. Some people are more private than others, and that’s totally okay.
Should I share my score with them?
That’s completely up to you. If you’re comfortable, sharing first can actually encourage them to open up too. It signals that you’re not there to judge, you’re there to be real with each other. But don’t feel pressured either way.
Can the Rice Purity Test actually help build a real connection?
Absolutely. When used with the right intention, curiosity rather than judgment creates a space for authentic sharing. Some of the funniest and most meaningful first-date conversations have started with this exact quiz. It works because it makes both people vulnerable in a controlled, playful way. And vulnerability is the beginning of connection.
Conclusion
Here’s the thing about the Rice Purity Test on a first date: it was never really about the numbers.
It’s about finding a creative, low-pressure way to get past the surface-level small talk and actually learn something real about the person sitting across from you. It’s about laughing together, sharing stories, and seeing how someone reacts when things get a little personal.
When you bring it up with the right energy, relaxed, playful, non-judgmental, it can turn an ordinary first date into something genuinely memorable. And isn’t that what you’re really going for?
So next time you’re sitting across from someone and the conversation starts to feel a little too safe, pull out your phone, smile, and say: “Hey, have you ever taken the Rice Purity Test? I think we should.”
And then just see where the night takes you.
Because the best first dates aren’t the ones where everything goes perfectly. They’re the ones where both people feel real with each other, even just for a moment.
Good luck out there.