CARS Logical Reasoning

🏥 Cars Reasoning

Part 1 of 7 — Logical Reasoning

Arguments have premises (evidence) and conclusions (claims) — identify both.

Valid reasoning: if the premises are true, the conclusion must follow.

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Key Insight: Sound reasoning: valid AND the premises are actually true.

MCAT Tip: Deductive: general to specific (if all X are Y, and Z is X, then Z is Y).

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Strengthening & Weakening Arguments

Part 2 of 7 — Strengthening & Weakening Arguments

Strengthen: find evidence that supports the conclusion or fills a gap.

Weaken: find evidence that undermines a premise or provides a counterexample.

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Key Insight: The correct answer addresses the specific connection between evidence and conclusion.

MCAT Tip: Be careful of answers that are true but irrelevant to the argument.

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Assumption Identification

Part 3 of 7 — Assumption Identification

An assumption is an unstated premise the argument relies on.

Necessary assumption: without it, the argument falls apart.

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Key Insight: Sufficient assumption: with it, the conclusion definitely follows.

MCAT Tip: Test by negation: if negating the answer choice destroys the argument, it is a necessary assumption.

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Evaluating Evidence

Part 4 of 7 — Evaluating Evidence

Evaluate the quality of evidence: anecdotal vs. empirical, sample size, controls.

Distinguish facts from opinions — the MCAT will test whether you can tell the difference.

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Key Insight: Look for cherry-picking: does the author ignore contradictory evidence?.

MCAT Tip: Consider alternative explanations for the data presented.

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Analogical Reasoning

Part 5 of 7 — Analogical Reasoning

Analogical reasoning: situation A is like situation B, so what is true of A should be true of B.

Strength depends on the relevance of the similarities between the two cases.

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Key Insight: Identify the key similarity the analogy relies on — then assess if it holds.

MCAT Tip: Weak analogies are a common MCAT trap: superficial similarity, deep differences.

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Common Logical Fallacies

Part 6 of 7 — Common Logical Fallacies

Ad hominem: attacking the person instead of the argument.

Straw man: misrepresenting an opponents position to make it easier to attack.

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Key Insight: False dichotomy: presenting only two options when more exist.

MCAT Tip: Appeal to authority: citing an authority figure rather than evidence (can be valid or fallacious).

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Review & MCAT Practice

Part 7 of 7 — Review & MCAT Practice

Ad hominem: attacking the person instead of the argument.

Straw man: misrepresenting an opponents position to make it easier to attack.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: False dichotomy: presenting only two options when more exist.

MCAT Tip: Appeal to authority: citing an authority figure rather than evidence (can be valid or fallacious).

Concept Check 🎯

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