The New SAT: (a) Ready or (b) Not?

The new college admissions test makes its debut in March, with changes in format, content, test time and more. It will be given in 10 sections and last 3 hours 45 minutes. (Mary Ann Chastain -- AP)

4. A four-sided figure ABCD contains interior right angle C. AB equals 12, BC equals 3, CD equals 4 and AD equals 13. What is the area of the figure ABCD?

(A) 36 (B) 108 (C)156 (D) 1,872 (E) Cannot be determined

Math: Fill-in Answers

In the following questions you must find an answer without referring to choices:

5. If x + y = 7 and xy = 4, then find the value of x{+2} + y{+2}.

6. If y + 2q = 15, q + 2p = 5 and p + 2y = 7, then find the value of p + q + y.

7. On a street with 25 houses, 10 houses have fewer than six rooms, 10 houses have more than seven rooms, and four houses have more than eight rooms. What is the total number of houses on the street that are either six-, seven- or eight-room houses?

WRITING: Two questions, one minute.

1. Identifying Sentence Errors: Which part (A, B, C or D) is incorrect? Choose E if there is no error.

If any signer of the Constitution (A) was to return to life (B) for a day, his opinion (C) of our amendments (D) would be interesting.

E (No error).

2. Improving Sentences: Which choice correctly replaces this sentence?

He never has and never will keep his word.

(A) He never has and never will keep his word.

(B) He has never yet and never will keep his word.

(C) He has not ever and will not keep his word.

(D) He never has or will keep his word.

(E) He never has kept and he never will keep his word.

Gary R. Gruber's "Complete Preparation for the New SAT," 10th Edition (HarperCollins), will be available next month. Information: www.GruberTestPrep.comand www.collegeboard.com/newsat.