If you are digging through the archives for real practice materials, you have probably run into act test 73e, which was the official exam administered back in April 2016. Even though a few years have passed since this test was first handed out in high school cafeterias across the country, it remains a staple for students who want a realistic look at what the ACT actually feels like. There is something different about practicing with a "retired" official test compared to using those third-party prep books that sometimes miss the mark on the actual "vibe" of the questions.
Testing has changed a little bit over the last decade, but the core of the ACT is remarkably consistent. Using 73E as a diagnostic tool can tell you a lot about your pacing, your strengths, and where you might totally blank out when the clock is ticking.
Why 73E Still Matters for Your Prep
A lot of people ask if a test from 2016 is still relevant. The short answer is yes. The ACT doesn't reinvent the wheel every year. While the Math section has arguably become a bit more "wordy" and complex in recent years, the English and Reading sections of the act test 73e are almost identical in style to what you'll see on a Saturday morning today.
Using this specific form allows you to see the exact wording the test-makers at ACT, Inc. prefer. They have a very particular way of trying to trick you with "no change" options or distractors in the Science section that look right but are actually irrelevant. Getting used to that specific logic is half the battle.
Diving Into the English Section
The English section on the act test 73e follows the standard 75-question, 45-minute format. If you've been practicing, you know the drill: it's a race against time. What stands out about 73E is how it balances straightforward grammar with those slightly annoying "rhetorical skills" questions.
You'll see plenty of questions about commas, semicolons, and dashes. The ACT loves to test whether you know how to fix a run-on sentence. In 73E, pay close attention to the passages' flow. Often, the test will ask if a certain sentence should be added or deleted. To get these right, you really have to understand the purpose of the paragraph, not just the grammar of the sentence itself.
- Watch out for redundancy: One thing 73E does a lot is offer four choices that all mean the same thing, but three of them are way too wordy. The shortest answer isn't always right, but it usually is.
- Check your transitions: Words like "however," "therefore," and "similarly" show up a lot here. Make sure the relationship between the two sentences actually makes sense with the word you pick.
The Math Section: A 2016 Snapshot
The Math section on act test 73e is 60 questions in 60 minutes. While it covers the usual suspects—algebra, geometry, and a bit of trig—some students find the 2016-era tests to be a little more "pure" in their geometry requirements compared to the heavy word-problem focus we see now.
However, don't let your guard down. The last 15 questions of 73E are designed to be time-sinks. They introduce concepts that might feel a bit more like pre-calculus or require you to combine two different math concepts into one problem.
Geometry and Algebra Balance
In this specific test, you'll find a healthy dose of coordinate geometry. If you've forgotten how to find the midpoint or the slope of a line, or if you're shaky on the equation of a circle, 73E will definitely call you out on it.
The Word Problem Trap
There are several problems in the middle of the test that aren't necessarily "hard" math, but they are phrased in a way that makes you want to skip them. The key is to translate the English into a simple equation as fast as possible. If you find yourself reading a math question three times, just mark it, move on, and come back if you have time.
Reading and Science: The Speed Tests
Reading and Science are where most people feel the most pressure during the act test 73e. In the Reading section, you have 35 minutes to tackle four passages: Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science.
One thing that was relatively "new-ish" back in 2016 was the inclusion of the "paired passages." In 73E, you'll likely encounter one section where you have to read two shorter texts and answer questions about how they relate to each other. These are notoriously tricky because you have to keep two different perspectives in your head at once.
Tips for 73E Reading
- Don't read every word: Unless you are a super-fast reader, you probably shouldn't be savoring the prose. Scan for the main idea and then use the questions to hunt for specific details.
- Evidence is everything: Every single correct answer in the act test 73e reading section is supported by something literally written in the text. If you find yourself "inferring" too much, you're probably picking the wrong answer.
The Science Section Breakdown
The Science section in 73E is less about "science" and more about "reading charts while you're stressed." You'll see a lot of data representation questions. Don't get bogged down by the big words like "thermodynamics" or "photosynthesis." Most of the time, the question is just asking, "When the line on the graph goes up, what happens to the number in the table?"
The "Conflicting Viewpoints" passage is usually the most time-consuming part of the Science section. This is the one where Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 argue about something. I usually recommend saving this for last because it requires more actual reading than the other data-heavy passages.
The Scoring Curve of 73E
Every ACT has a different "scale" or "curve." If a test is particularly hard, you can miss more questions and still get a high score. The act test 73e is generally considered to have a "fair" curve. It isn't as brutal as some of the 2020+ tests, but it also doesn't give you a lot of wiggle room in the English section.
In Math, you might be able to miss one or two and still snag a 36, but in English, a single mistake often drops you down to a 35 immediately. Knowing this helps you manage your expectations when you're grading your practice run.
How to Best Use This Test for Study
If you've managed to get a copy of act test 73e, don't just treat it like a casual homework assignment. To get the most out of it, you need to simulate the actual environment.
- Print it out: Taking a test on a screen is totally different from taking it on paper. The ACT is still largely a paper-and-pencil affair, so get used to bubbling in those circles.
- Time yourself strictly: Set a timer and stop the moment it goes off. No "just 30 more seconds" allowed. The pressure of the clock is a huge part of the challenge.
- Analyze your mistakes: This is the most important part. Don't just look at your score and say "cool" or "dang it." Go back to every question you missed and figure out why. Was it a "silly" mistake? Did you run out of time? Or do you genuinely not understand how to multiply matrices?
Final Thoughts on the 73E Experience
At the end of the day, act test 73e is just one tool in your toolbox. It's a great reflection of the mid-2010s ACT style, which is still very much the foundation of the current exam. It's challenging but fair, and it covers all the bases you'll need to cover before your actual test date.
If you find the Math on this test easy, be warned that newer tests might throw a few more curveballs at you. But if you can master the pacing and the logic of 73E, you are in a really good spot. It's all about building that muscle memory so that when you sit down for the real thing, it feels like just another practice session in your room. Good luck with the prep—you've got this!