AO3 Rice Purity Test: The Fanfiction Version Explained
Have you ever spent hours reading fanfiction, lost track of time at 3 a.m., and suddenly wondered, “Just how deep into this fandom life am I?”
If you’re part of any fandom whether it’s Harry Potter, Marvel, BTS, Genshin Impact, or something more niche you’ve probably seen friends posting their “AO3 Rice Purity Test” scores. It’s the fanfiction community’s hilarious, chaotic, and surprisingly relatable version of the classic Rice Purity Test.
In this guide, I’ll explain everything about the AO3 Rice Purity Test: what it is, how it differs from the original, why it’s so popular in fandom spaces, and what your score actually says about you as a fan.
What Is the AO3 Rice Purity Test?
The AO3 Rice Purity Test (also called the Fanfic Rice Purity Test) is a special version of the classic Rice Purity Test designed specifically for people who read, write, or breathe fanfiction.
While the original Rice Purity Test focuses on real-life experiences, the AO3 version measures how deep you’ve gone into fanfiction culture — from innocent “I read one story” to full “I have 47 tabs open and I write 100k slow-burns” territory.
It’s named after Archive of Our Own (AO3), the beloved fan-created archive that hosts millions of fanworks. This version has become extremely popular on Tumblr, Twitter/X, TikTok, and Discord servers within fandom communities.
Why Fanfic Readers Love This Version
The regular Rice Purity Test can feel too personal or serious for some people. The AO3 version is much more light-hearted and relatable for fans. It turns your guilty pleasures, reading habits, and fandom chaos into a fun game.
Common reasons people take it:
- To bond with other fans
- To see how “feral” their fandom life has become
- For laughs during late-night reading sessions
- To share funny results on social media
How the AO3 Rice Purity Test Works
Like the original, it’s usually a 100-question yes/no test. You start at 100 points. Every “Yes” subtracts one point.
However, the questions are completely different. They revolve around:
- Reading habits
- Favorite tropes
- Writing fanfiction
- Fandom drama
- Ships and pairings
- AO3-specific behaviors
- How unhinged your fan experience has gotten
Lower scores = deeper into fandom life. Higher scores = more casual or “pure” fan.
Key Differences Between Original Rice Purity Test vs AO3 Version
| Aspect | Original Rice Purity Test | AO3 / Fanfic Version |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Real-life experiences | Fanfiction & fandom life |
| Tone | Can feel personal/judgy | Humorous and self-aware |
| Questions | Relationships, parties, substances | Tropes, ships, reading habits, writing |
| Community | General (college students) | Fandom spaces (AO3, Tumblr, etc.) |
| Purpose | Life experiences | How deep into fandom you are |
Typical AO3 Rice Purity Test Questions Explained
Here are some of the most common types of questions you’ll find in the AO3 version, explained simply:
Reading Habits
- Have you ever stayed up all night reading fanfic?
- Have you read over 1 million words in a single fandom?
- Have you read fanfiction on your phone in class or at work?
- Do you have more than 500 bookmarks on AO3?
Tropes & Ships
- Have you read (or written) a slow burn?
- Do you have an OTP (One True Pairing)?
- Have you read soulmate AU, enemies to lovers, or found family?
- Have you shipped two characters who never met in canon?
Writing Fanfiction
- Have you ever written fanfiction?
- Have you posted a story on AO3?
- Have you written smut?
- Have you written over 50,000 words in one fic?
Fandom Behavior
- Have you refreshed the AO3 page waiting for an update?
- Have you cried because of a fanfic?
- Have you defended your ship in the comments?
- Have you created fanart, edits, or playlists for a ship?
Unhinged / Extreme Level
- Have you read dead dove: do not eat fics?
- Have you read something so wild you had to close the tab?
- Have you written something you would never tell your real-life friends?
- Do you have multiple AO3 accounts?
The exact questions vary slightly between versions, but they all celebrate (and gently roast) typical fan behavior.
What Your AO3 Rice Purity Score Means
Here’s a general guide most fans use:
- 90–100: Casual fan — You’ve dipped your toes in but aren’t fully obsessed yet.
- 80–89: Interested reader — You enjoy fanfic but have some boundaries.
- 70–79: Active fan — Regular reader, probably have favorite authors.
- 60–69: Dedicated fan — Deep into tropes and multiple fandoms.
- 50–59: Fandom veteran — You live on AO3.
- 40–49: Unhinged fan — Reading and writing a lot.
- 30–39: Feral fan — Deep in the trenches.
- Below 30: AO3 Legend — You have seen things. You have written things.
A score under 20 usually gets “respect” comments in fandom circles.
Why the AO3 Version Became So Popular
Fanfiction communities are full of inside jokes, shared experiences, and collective chaos. The AO3 Rice Purity Test captures that perfectly. It turns private reading habits into something shareable and funny.
It also helps newer fans understand fandom culture and makes veteran fans feel seen. Posting your score has become a fun way to introduce yourself in new fandom servers.
Real Fan Experiences
Many fans share stories like:
- “I scored 23 and I’m not even ashamed anymore.”
- “My mom saw my score of 67 and asked what ‘dead dove’ means.”
- “Scored 12 after finishing my 200k word WIP… worth it.”
The test often leads to great conversations about favorite tropes, worst fic mistakes, and wholesome community moments.
How to Take the AO3 Rice Purity Test
- Search for “AO3 Rice Purity Test” or “Fanfic Rice Purity Test” on Google.
- Choose a version from a trusted fandom account or site.
- Answer honestly (this one is meant to be fun, not serious).
- Share your score if you want — most people do!
Final Thoughts
The AO3 Rice Purity Test is more than just a quiz — it’s a celebration of fan culture, late-night reading sessions, and the beautiful chaos of loving fictional characters.
Whether you score 95 or 8, it doesn’t make you better or worse. It just shows how much joy, comfort, and escapism you’ve found in fanfiction.
Fandom should be fun. Read what you love, write what you want, and never feel ashamed of enjoying stories that make you happy.
Ready to find out how feral you are?
Go take the AO3 Rice Purity Test and see where you land. Then come back and tell me your score in the comments especially if it’s under 30. No judgment, only respect.
What’s your current fandom? And what trope are you weak for? Let’s talk about it.
This guide was written for real fans by someone who gets it. Fanfiction has been a source of comfort, creativity, and community for millions and the AO3 Rice Purity Test is just one fun way to embrace that.