Introduction to MCAT CARS
The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills "CARS" section is widely recognized as one of the most demanding parts of the MCAT exam, with scores averaging nearly a full point below other sections.
The MCAT CARS section constitutes approximately 25% of your total MCAT score, with scores ranging from 118 to 132. The section comprises 9 passages, each 500-600 words long, with 5-7 questions per passage, totaling 53 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes.
Content Breakdown
Passages are evenly split between humanities (50%) and social sciences (50%), covering disciplines such as literature, history, ethics, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. The questions test three main skills:
Important Note: 1-4 experimental questions are included within the 53 total, which are not counted toward your score. Since you cannot identify these, treat all questions with equal importance during the exam.
Understanding the Section and Setting Goals
Section Structure
The CARS section is the second part of the MCAT, following a 10-minute break and preceding a 30-minute lunch break. It tests advanced analysis and reasoning skills, crucial for medical school success.
Scoring Goals
Aim for the 90th percentile, which corresponds to approximately a 128 section score. For competitive admissions:
| Program Type | CARS Minimum | Other Sections |
|---|---|---|
| DO Schools | 124+ | 127+ |
| MD Schools | 125+ | 127+ |
| Canadian Med Schools | 127+ | Varies |
Scoring Insight
To achieve a 127, you can miss no more than 10-13 questions, while missing 14-17 questions might result in a 126. For example, missing 1 question on 6 passages and 2 on 3 passages could yield a solid 127 or 128.
| Target Score | Maximum Questions Missed |
|---|---|
| 127 | 10-13 |
| 126 | 14-17 |
Use practice tests to gauge your progress, as they score within the 118-132 range per section.
Developing Strong Reading Comprehension Skills
Active Reading Practices
Engage with the text by summarizing each paragraph in one sentence, focusing on who, what, why, and how. For instance, identify who wanted what, why they pursued it, and how it was achieved. This helps in grasping the main idea and structure.
Highlighting Key Details
During practice, highlight important data, evidence, and conclusions. This creates visual landmarks for quick reference during questions.
Preparation Timeline: Most students need at least 3-4 months, ideally 6 months, of preparation, aiming for 10 minutes per passage during practice.
Practice Materials
Read complex texts from humanities and social sciences, such as classics of literature, philosophy, and academic journals. This builds familiarity with the dense, argumentative style typical of CARS passages.
Ask Questions While Reading
Enhance comprehension by asking clarifying questions:
- What is the main topic?
- What is the author's purpose (e.g., to persuade, inform, compare, contrast)?
- Can you identify biases or assumptions?
- What story or argument does each paragraph contribute?
- Explain or summarize aloud to reinforce active reading.
Mastering Time Management
Time Allocation
Given the 90-minute duration for 53 questions, allocate time per passage based on question count:
Passage Order
Complete passages in order to maintain focus and pacing. After finishing a passage, track your progress and revisit if time remains to ensure all questions are answered.
Never Leave Questions Blank: Treat blank questions as wrong, as there's no penalty for guessing. Always put an answer, even if it's a guess, giving you a 25% chance of being correct.
Build Stamina
Use timed mock exams to develop endurance for the full 90-minute section.
Approaching Questions Strategically
Read Questions Carefully
Before looking at answer choices, understand the question stem. Use it as a roadmap to find relevant information in the passage. Misunderstanding the question is a common reason for misses.
Pro Tip: For specific information questions, always go back to the passage within the 10-minute timeframe per passage. This requires practice to improve active reading skills.
Paraphrase Tricky Questions
If a question is complex, rephrase it in your own words to clarify.
Eliminate Wrong Answers
Use process of elimination to narrow down choices. Look for answers that are too extreme, irrelevant, or contradict the passage.
Be Aware of Question Types
- Foundations of Comprehension (30%): Focus on the passage's main idea, details, and structure.
- Reasoning Within the Text (30%): Analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and understand relationships within the text.
- Reasoning Beyond the Text (40%): Apply ideas to new situations, make inferences, and evaluate assumptions.
Understanding the Types of CARS Questions
The CARS section is structured around three main categories of questions. Each one targets a different aspect of your reading comprehension and analysis skills, and understanding them will allow you to navigate the passage with greater confidence.
1. Foundations of Comprehension
This category is all about getting to the heart of the text. In these questions, you are expected to make inferences about the author's tone, word choice, and the underlying point of view. The emphasis is on understanding the fundamental components of the passage.
A helpful approach is to break down the text by analyzing the structure — noting how each paragraph serves a specific purpose in building the overall argument. Pay close attention to transitional words and phrases like "for example," "therefore," and "consequentially" that mark shifts in the author's narrative, as these labels often signal key relationships between ideas.
2. Reasoning Within the Text
Questions in this category require a deeper level of analysis. Here, you are asked to evaluate the internal logic of the text by connecting different parts of the passage. Look for the author's arguments, the claims being made, and any potential biases that come through in the writing.
Understanding how various components of the text interact with each other will enable you to determine the validity and relevance of the author's reasoning. The ability to critically assess these elements is central to answering Reasoning Within the Text questions correctly.
3. Reasoning Beyond the Text
Perhaps the most challenging of the three, these questions extend the content of the passage into new scenarios. In other words, you have to predict how the author's views might translate to new ideas or topics.
Since these questions rely on a comprehensive understanding of the passage — including the author's stance, tone, and purpose — they demand that you firmly grasp the core messages of the text. Remember, no matter how novel the context might be, there is always evidence within the passage that can guide your response.
Consistent Practice and Thorough Review
Daily Practice Routine
Incorporate CARS practice into your MCAT study schedule, aiming for improvement with each session.
Review Mistakes
After each practice passage, revisit questions you got wrong. Analyze whether you misread the question, missed a detail, or misunderstood the passage. Look for patterns, such as struggling with "Reasoning Beyond the Text" questions, to target weaknesses.
Simulate Real Conditions: Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to build stamina and refine your strategy.
Seek Assistance if Needed
If progress is slow, consider study groups or professional guidance from experienced tutors.
Focus on Understanding Before Speed
Prioritize comprehension over speed during early practice. Speed will naturally improve as you become more familiar with the material.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Don't assume you know the answer without checking the passage, and don't let personal biases influence your interpretation. Ensure you dive back into critical reading skills, answering questions before reading choices to avoid bias.
Use Additional Resources
Consult study tips from reliable MCAT preparation resources for further guidance.