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Mbbs 21 Aug, 2024
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Mastering the MCAT CARS Section - Most pre-med students, including me at the time, dreaded the MCAT CARS part. It can quickly become the most difficult component of the test because it does not need memorising a large amount of information. Instead, it functions similarly to the MCAT's wildcard. Even if you believe you are well-prepared, you may still be caught off guard.
This component is heavily emphasised in medical schools since it evaluates your critical thinking skills and capacity to analyse complicated materials. They have a point, because you will need these two abilities in your future medical job.
So, while you prepare for this area, forget about cramming information—it will not assist one bit. Scoring well requires continuously mastering an MCAT CARS approach and sticking to it on test day. Read on to learn how to improve your MCAT CARS score, face this challenge with confidence, and reach your ideal MCAT score.
The MCAT is broken into four basic portions, each of which tests a distinct academic field, as shown below. So, what does CARS stand for?
The MCAT CARS part, also called Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, is a challenging exam that assesses your ability to grasp, analyse, and evaluate complicated passages. It's like those SAT sections, but cranked up!
The caveat is that you have to depend only on critical thinking and reasoning, without the benefit of specialised scientific expertise. So having good reading and analysing abilities is advantageous.
Here's an overview of each portion of the MCAT:
Chemical and Physical Basis of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS).
Biological and biochemical basis of living systems (Bio/BioChem)
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)
The CARS portion includes questions that assess your ability to comprehend, analyse, and apply information from passages. Your goal is to swiftly extract the major ideas and arguments from these complicated books, therefore you'll need a reading strategy to help you do that!
When it comes to picking an MCAT CARS strategy, there are several options available. Some pupils pledge to read the questions first. Others recommend skimming the opening and last paragraphs. And then there's always that one individual who insists on using an unconventional approach and claims success.
But here's my two cents: I wouldn't advocate experimenting with your CARS strategy or attempting dangerous manoeuvres like acing seven parts and then wildly guessing on the final two.
Instead, stay concentrated and apply these tried-and-true CARS study techniques to improve your score. CARS is divided into three sections, each needing a particular technique and strategy. So, while you take practice examinations, keep these areas in mind to improve your result.
Foundations of Comprehension (30%) - Try to understand the underlying meaning beyond what is openly stated. Pay attention to the author's word choice, tone, and the cunning rhetorical tactics they like to use.
Reasoning Within the Text (30%) - Put on your detective hat and objectively assess the author's arguments. Leave your personal biases at the door and concentrate on identifying evidence in the text that supports or undermines the primary point. Also, question if the author's conclusion is rational, or if there are any biases or preconceptions.
Reasoning Beyond the Text (40%) - With these sorts of questions, you may take the passage to the next level by applying its concepts to various settings. How might the knowledge offered apply in different contexts? Consider how fresh information may disrupt the author's initial idea, and think critically about how these additional jigsaw pieces may alter the reasoning.
When we read lazily, we are essentially spaced out and skimming the surface, without absorbing anything significant. However, that level of reading will not suffice for the CARS portion. So, start practicing active reading right away: take your time, read carefully, and really immerse yourself in the content.
If anything does not make sense, reread it until it does. Don't skip over confusing sections; make sure you grasp them entirely. Consider what the author is indicating without stating it outright.
Pick up heavier books like literary journals, thick periodicals, and classic literature. These selections may truly stretch your brain, forcing you to slow down and think about what the author is saying, much like you will in the CARS part. Make it a habit to read these sorts of materials whenever possible so that you can improve this ability.
The more you read, the better you will get at it. Since, guess what? Improved reading comprehension transfers straight into a smoother trip through the CARS segment. Here's the deal: reading is like a brain workout that improves your vocabulary, comprehension of others, memory, and, yes, performance on the CARS section. So, start with something you like reading—fiction, fantasy, or biographies—and make it a regular practice.
Consider explaining the text to a youngster or someone new to the subject; simplifying it allows you to readily understand the fundamental point. Reduce the piece to its core, focussing on critical information that is necessary for comprehension. If no one is around, try describing it as you would to a child for a brief, concise description.
Condense each paragraph into a one sentence summary. As you read, jot down concise five-word descriptions of each paragraph. This activity improves your ability to understand the primary idea of each paragraph and your reading comprehension by forcing you to focus on the objective of each part.
To aid comprehension, underline important information such as keywords, dates, and names. Be selective; highlighting everything is equivalent to emphasising nothing. Target important data and essential concepts to save time if you need to go back and reread a section.
Pace yourself to ensure that you can answer all of the questions within the allowed time. Don't get caught on difficult questions; mark them and come back later if necessary.
Remember that every question is equally important, so don't waste time focussing on just one. And, whatever you do, don't leave questions blank - make your best estimate if necessary. (I elaborate on my MCAT CARS technique for nailing the time aspect below.)
Make reading and responding CARS questions a regular routine. The more you expose yourself to different sections, the better you'll get at handling them. Additionally, concentrate on increasing your reading speed while maintaining understanding.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of information to study for the MCAT and don't know where to begin? Let alone keeping up with your study routine. As a 516 scorer who went through the MCAT preparation process *twice* (after my prior score sadly expired), I'd love to share all of my ideas and tactics to help you.
We've covered a lot of territory in terms of preparing for the MCAT's CARS part. I understand how stressful and anxiety-inducing this section may be. However, by following my advice and techniques, you may get an advantage and improve your score.
Remember to read actively, practise consistently, and tackle each section strategically. Take practice exams and keep track of how you can improve on each subject. Also, practise pacing yourself so you may improve your ability to complete each section inside the time limit.
With effort, practice, and a good mindset, you can easily ace this portion and improve your total MCAT score. So be confident in your preparedness. Then go out there and show the CARS section who's boss.
Q.1. How many CARS passages appear on the MCAT, and how long is the CARS section?
There are nine CARS crossings. You will have 90 minutes to answer a total of 53 questions. That implies you have around 1.42 minutes each question, which is somewhat longer than the scientific sections' average of 1 minute 35 seconds per question. Nonetheless, you'll need to maintain a consistent pace to achieve effectively.
Q.2. What is the average CARS score on the MCAT?
The average score for this segment is around 125.8. While what defines a decent score varies each medical school, a score of 128 or more will help you stand out and reach the 90th percentile.
Q.3. What makes CARS more difficult than other portions of the MCAT?
Many pre med students find this portion difficult (I know I did!) since it needs excellent critical thinking and reading comprehension abilities. But do not worry. With the appropriate methods and a continuous practice plan, you can completely dominate this segment.
Q.4. How long is the MCAT's CARS section?
The CARS section of the MCAT exam lasts 90 minutes and covers humanities and social sciences subjects. The CARS part of the MCAT is the only one that assesses critical thinking and reading comprehension abilities rather than topic knowledge.
Q.5. How can I enhance my MCAT CARS score?
The best strategy to enhance your MCAT score is to practise with questions from the AAMC's MCAT curriculum. Our UWorld MCAT QBank features the most AAMC-style questions and extensive answer explanations on the market. Furthermore, our QBank includes data-driven performance and improvement monitoring tools that allow you to monitor your progress and focus on certain courses, foundations, and abilities to find areas for growth.
Q.6. How many CARS passages appear on the MCAT?
There are nine CARS passes on the AAMC MCAT. You have around 10 minutes to read each paragraph and complete the accompanying questions.
