What does MPS mean in the Rice Purity Test?
MPS means "Member of the Preferred Sex". In the Rice Purity Test it stands for whoever you are attracted to, whatever their gender.
Where it came from
The 1988 Rice Thresher test defined a different acronym in its introduction: "MOS", member of the opposite sex[1]. Its wording assumed a partner of the opposite sex, and it put questions about same-sex activity further down the list, as if they made you less "pure"[1].
By 1998, "MOS" had been replaced by "MPS"[1]. It was a step, not a fix: the 1998 version still placed several same-sex questions lower on the list[1]. The 2012 rewrite removed that separation, and its editors described the goal as taking out gender and sexuality bias[2].
How to read an item with MPS in it
Swap "MPS" for "someone you are into". "Kissed an MPS" means kissed someone of the gender you are attracted to, in a romantic way.
Why our version does not use it
Our items say "someone" or "a partner" instead. It reads more naturally, needs no glossary, and does not tie any item to gender. The score works the same way.
Other terms you might meet
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MPS | Member of the Preferred Sex |
| MOS | Member of the Opposite Sex (1988 version) |
| O-Week | Orientation Week, Rice's welcome week for new students, where the test is traditionally taken |
| Backpage | The Rice Thresher's satire page, whose editors write the test |
| RPT | Rice Purity Test, used by students at Georgia Tech in 2017[1] |
Frequently asked questions
What does MPS stand for?
Member of the Preferred Sex: anyone of the gender you are attracted to.
What did MOS mean?
Member of the Opposite Sex. It was used in the 1988 version and replaced by MPS by 1998.
Ready? Take the Rice Purity Test. Your answers never leave your device.