Rice Purity Score Meanings Explained
A comprehensive guide to understanding your score, what the different ranges mean, and how your results compare to others.
How Scoring Works
The test uses a simple system: you start with 100 points and lose one for each "Yes" answer. A higher score indicates fewer of the listed life experiences. Understanding this helps you interpret your final result on the purity scale.
Score 100
The highest possible score, indicating you answered "No" to all questions.
Score 0
The lowest possible score, indicating you answered "Yes" to all questions.
Average Score
Most young adults and college students typically score between 45 and 70.
Score 100–95
A score in this range indicates maximum innocence and minimal life experiences. People with these scores typically have very limited exposure to adult activities, romantic relationships, or social experimentation, often reflecting a sheltered lifestyle.
Typical Characteristics:
- Limited exposure to party culture or substance use
- Very traditional upbringing and values
- Minimal romantic or physical intimacy experiences
Score 94–85
This range indicates high innocence with some basic life experiences. It's a common score for high school students and college freshmen who have begun exploring relationships and social activities but remain relatively inexperienced.
Typical Characteristics:
- Some dating experience (e.g., holding hands, first kiss)
- Limited participation in parties or social drinking
- Generally conservative lifestyle choices
Score 84–70
This range represents above-average innocence with moderate life experiences. These scores are common among college students who have begun exploring adult activities but still maintain some boundaries.
Typical Characteristics:
- Experience with romantic relationships
- Some exposure to party culture and social drinking
- A balanced approach to risk-taking and exploration
Score 69–45
This is the most common score range, representing typical life experiences for young adults and college seniors. It indicates someone who has explored various aspects of adult life while maintaining reasonable boundaries.
Typical Characteristics:
- Diverse romantic and/or sexual experiences
- Regular participation in social activities and parties
- Some experimentation with substances
Score 44–25
Scores in this range indicate extensive life experiences. People with these scores have typically explored many aspects of adult life and have fewer boundaries when it comes to new experiences, suggesting an adventurous lifestyle.
Typical Characteristics:
- Extensive sexual and romantic history
- Regular participation in party culture
- Willingness to take risks and try new things
Score 24–0
The lowest score range indicates maximum life experiences across all categories. Scores this low are rare and suggest someone who has explored virtually every aspect of adult life covered by the test.
Typical Characteristics:
- Comprehensive sexual and romantic experiences
- Extensive experimentation with substances and activities
- Participation in unconventional or risky behaviors
Score Comparisons & Statistics
Understanding how your score compares to others provides helpful context. Here are some general statistics for different groups.
Average Scores by Education
- High School Students: 85-92
- College Freshmen: 78-88
- College Seniors: 55-72
- Graduate Students: 45-65
Score Distribution (Approx.)
- 95-100: ~5% of takers
- 70-94: ~45% of takers
- 45-69: ~35% of takers
- 0-44: ~15% of takers